1984, Monasteries Tashigang Dzong 1-NU Bhutan

1984, Monasteries Tashigang Dzong 

1984, Monasteries Tashigang Dzong 1-NU Bhutan

Text: Tashigang Dzong 1-chetrum Bhutan
Condition: Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Tashigang Dzong

Face value:     1 NU

Stamp Currency: NU

Country/area:            Bhutan

Year:   1984

Set:     1984 Monasteries

Stamp number in set:           5

Basic colour:  Multi-coloured

Usage:            Franking

Type:   Stamp

Theme:           Monasteries

Perforation:            

Stamp subject:           Monasteries

Stanley Gibbons number:   

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Trashigang:

Trashigang (Dzongkha: བཀྲ་ཤིས་སྒང་།) (IATA: YON), or Tashigang, is a town in eastern Bhutan and the district capital of the Trashigang Dzongkhag (district).

The town lies on the east side of the valley above the Drangme Chhu River just south of where it is joined by the Gamri River. Trashigang is the eastern terminus of the Lateral Road, Bhutan's main highway leading to Phuntsholing in the southwest.

The population of Trashigang was 2,383 in according to the 2005 census.[1]

In October 2011, Trashigang Dzong, under renovation since 2007, was on the verge of collapse. The dzong was built in 1659 by Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tenpa and served for centuries as an administrative headquarters and monastery, though government offices mostly relocated by 2011. Its sinking eastern foundation and crumbling upper walls necessitated either relocation or total destruction and reconstruction, according to dzong officials.[2]

Trashigang is the largest district in Bhutan. it has two sub-districts and fifteen gewogs.

Tashichhodzong was built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1962, by the Late King, His Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

While other governments around the world ensconce themselves in fortresses of stone and steel, the seat of Bhutan's Royal Government is in a building that mirrors the county's culture and its people. The Taschichho Dzong was built in the late 1700's and also serves as the home of the Central Monastic Body. The building we see today is largely a modern affair, built in 1962 when His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk moved the government to Thimphu after a fire at its original location.

The complex's central tower is original. Tashichhodzong houses the main secretariat building, throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. During the warmer summer months the monk body headed by His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, makes its home in the dzong.

Religious treasure added to Tashichhodzong: With the consecration of a newly built Neten Chudrug (16 Arhats) Thongdroel by His Holiness the Je Khenpo on February 20, 2002 an invaluable religious treasure has been added to Trashichhodzong. Measuring 43 by 64 ft, the Thongdroel depicting the Buddha Shakyamuni, surrounded by his 16 followers (Arhats), was created under His Holiness' initiative. His Holiness also contributed Nu. 1.6 million to construct the Thongdroel which took six months of meticulous and painstaking work for 13 artists. It will be unfurled to the public annually on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Bhutanese calendar, coinciding with the Duechhen Ngazom (Lord Buddha's Mahaparinirvana) celebration. "The success of creating this unique masterpiece goes to the concerted efforts of embroidery master, Lopon Ugyen, and his artists who put long hours into the making of the Thongdroel," said the deputy secretary of the Dratshang Lhentshog, Ngawang Phuntsho. "If we did not put in extra efforts it would have taken at least a year or so," Lopon Ugyen, who built more than 14 various Thongdroels over the years, said.

Je Khenpo: The need for the Neten Chudrug Thongdroel was felt when His Holiness initiated a special prayer ceremony last year as an annual event on the sacred occasion of Lord Buddha's Mahaparinirvana which is celebrated all over the Buddhist world. "Since we do not have this Thongdroel in Trashichhodzong we had to hire and bring the Sangay Tsokhorsum Thongdroel all the way from Dagana dzong during the celebration of Duechhen Ngazom last year," Ngawang Phuntsho said. According to religious beliefs, a mere sight of thongdroel liberates sentient beings from the transmigratory existence through its great cleansing power.

The 16 arhats:

The 16 arhats (those who had extinguished all defilements) originated from India during the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. It is believed that the Buddha entrusted his teachings to the 16 great arhats when he was about to pass away. The Buddha instructed them to remain in this world, dwell in different lands, and disseminate his teachings to benefit all sentient beings. The 16 arhats can be individually recognised by standard attributes, such as an incense burner, a fly whisk, a miniature stupa, a glowing gem, or a string of jewels. The sixteen Arhats are:

1.       Angaja the Arhat with a sac

2.      Ajita the Arhat riding a deer

3.      Vanavasin the Arhat under the banana tree

4.      Kalika the dust cleaning Arhat

5.      Vajriputra the persuading Arhat

6.      Sribhadra the Arhat who crossed the river

7.      Kanakavatsa the jolly Arhat

8.      Kanakabharadvaja the alms holding Arhat

9.      Bakula the silently seated Arhat

10.   Rahula the Arhat in deep concentration

11.    Gudapanthaka the door watching Arhat

12.   Pindola Bharadvaja the Arhat with long eyebrows

13.   Panthaka the Arhat with stretched arms

14.   Nagasena the ear cleaning Arhat

15.   Gopaka the scripture holding Arhat

16.   Abheda the stupa holding Arhat

The Neten Chudrug thongdroel unfurled at the outer wall of the Guru Lhakhang in Tashichhodzong The Neten Chudrug Thongdroel