Was it the 7th century that Songtsan Gampo brought Buddhism to Bhutan?

Buddhism, also known as Lamaism, is the national religion of Bhutan. Buddhism in Bhutan believes in the Kagyu Sect, a branch of Tibetan Lamaism.

(1) Introduction to Buddhism. The introduction of Buddhism into Bhutan can be traced back to the middle of the 7th century. In 640 AD, Songtsan Gampo, King of Tibet in China, built Domenico Giampa Temple in Bangtang Valley in central Bhutan to spread Buddhism. In 649 AD, Songtsan Gampo built the Kitchu Monastery in Paro Valley in western Bhutan. In 747 AD, Lotus Peanut, an Indian Buddhist sage, was invited by a local tribal leader to visit Bhutan twice to give lectures and preach. It is said that Lotus Peanut is a theological teacher of Nalanduo Academy, a Mahayana Buddhist scholar, and was born in Lotus. Bhutan called him "Guru Rimpoche" (guru and scholar) and called him "the second Tathagata". After his first lecture in Bhutan, he went to China and Tibet to give lectures and preach. After he returned to Bhutan from Tibet, he inspected the construction of a new temple in Paro Valley, Bhutan, and set up a missionary center in Bumtang to continue to preach in Bhutan, which made Buddhism develop rapidly in Bhutan. /kloc-At the end of 0/2, China Tibetan Buddhism, Ma Ning and Kagyu Sect were introduced into Bhutan. In A.D. 16 16, Awang Dugong, a senior monk of Ma Ning in China and Tibet (later called Awang Nangale), came to Bhutan, successively defeated various sects and completely ruled the region, becoming the famous Shabudong, that is, the teaching king. On this basis, Ngawang Nangale modeled on the management system of Tibetan Buddhism in China, and established a hierarchy of religious organizations and canons in Bhutan to manage the country, forming a government ruled by monks and customs, becoming a king himself, and winning the title of French king with the integration of politics and religion. The French king (according to religious regulations, the king is the religious leader and ruler) is the dominant position among the main sects in Pakistan. Later, it was combined with Bhutan's primitive tribal religion, and gradually formed Bhutanese Lamaism with local characteristics. After Ngawang Nanga was strangled, there was a fierce power struggle between church and state, and church and state began to separate. From 65438 to 0907, the secular class headed by Wujian wangchuck occupied a dominant position. Today's Bhutanese mainly believe in Nima and Kagyu in Buddhism. Since the earliest Buddhism in Bhutan was introduced from Tibet, China, up to now, Bhutanese regard Tibet, China as a holy place of Buddhism, and many people go to Tibet to burn incense and make pilgrimages every year.

(2) Monk officials. Buddhist officials in Bhutan are divided into Kikampo, Robben, central abbot and local abbot.

The abbot of Kikampo-Je Khenpo, also known as the king of France, is second only to the king in his position. He is responsible for managing religious affairs throughout the country, appointing monks and participating in the discussion of state affairs. 19 17 After Kikampo's death, he did not look for a reincarnation, but chose Kikampo's successor. The election method is: write down the names of the four highest-ranking monks in the central temple on a piece of paper, and then put the paper in the urn on the altar. Take out the note, and the words "God's Choice" are written on the new base cloth. 1952, King Jigme Dole Ji Jie wangchuck abandoned this method and was promoted by Robben. That is, after Kikampo's death, Dolgij Loben, the highest official among the four Robben in the Central Hall, naturally became Kikampo. If the Temple thinks that Dorgigi Robben is not suitable to be promoted to Kikampo for some reason, one of the other three Robben will hold this position. If not, retired Dorgigi Robben will be appointed as Kikampo. According to the new system, Kikampo's term of office is determined through consultation, which is generally three years. The present Kikampo in Bhutan is the living Buddha of French King Truell Ku Jigme in the 7th/Kloc-0th century.

Robben-Robben is a senior monk after Kikampo. If Kikampo is regarded as the king of the religious kingdom, then Robben's teaching rank is equivalent to the minister of this kingdom, and his main responsibility is to assist Kikampo in charge of national religious affairs. Before 1907, Robben was in charge of state administrative affairs.

Lobens in Bhutan can be divided into four categories, namely Dolgij Lobens, Dagbuluo Lobens, Yang Piluo Lobens and Shenniluo Lobens. Among them, Dorg Robben is in charge of Tantric Buddhism research and concurrently serves as the director of the Central Monastery, exercising his functions and powers in Kikampo's absence; Dag Broburn is in charge of grammar research, Yang Piluo is in charge of pilgrimage, and Shen Niluo is mainly engaged in Buddhist philosophy research.

The abbot of the Central Monastery-generally held by Dorg Robben. His main duty is to be responsible for the main activities of the central temple and to manage the administrative and religious affairs of local temples.

The director of a local temple, also known as Weng Ze, is a senior Lama of a local temple, who is responsible for the discipline and religious activities of the temple. "Weng Ze" was directly appointed by Ji Kang, and his assistant called him "Robben Gu Zhong".

(3) monks. Monks are the main body of Buddhism in Bhutan, and they also account for the vast majority in number. There are great differences in the age of monks in Bhutan, including elderly monks in their 60s, young and middle-aged monks in their 20s, and a large number of young monks ranging in age from a few to a teenager.

In the past, young people often wanted to become aristocrats through religious channels, or were sent to monasteries to control the population. Young people who enter monasteries now are entirely voluntary. In order to seek better development prospects, they often enter the upper class through religion. Since the Royal Government implemented the modern education system in 196 1 year, the people's economic situation and social status have been greatly improved, especially after the implementation of the new economic development plan, the national construction was seriously short of labor, so King Jigme Dor Ji Jie wangchuck agreed to keep 1000 monks in the central monastery. At present, although many young people in Bhutan are keen on politics, joining the army and other development projects, because Bhutanese generally believe in religion, religion has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and many young people still voluntarily enter temples.

With regard to the training and education of monks, before 1959, young Bhutanese monks generally went to Zhuokachin Temple in eastern Tibet, China for religious education. Bhutan Central Monastery has been training young monks since the early 1960s.

(4) Religious funds. In the past, all the expenses of temples in Bhutan mainly came from private donations and rents allocated by the government to temples, and the government could not know the amount and use of funds for temples. In order to strengthen the fund management of monasteries, the government has taken a series of measures. In the past, it was difficult for temples to collect land rent. Even if some land rent is collected, it is difficult for agricultural products to be sold in the market. According to this situation, in the autumn of 1968, Bhutan's National Assembly made a decision, and the land rent of local temples was changed to be collected by Zongda (equivalent to county order) according to the jurisdiction, instead of temples. At the same time, 500,000 nuns are allocated to the central monastery and eight local monasteries every year, and the Ministry of Finance is authorized to check the accounts of monasteries. 65438+1June, 1969 15, the National Assembly further stipulated that hospitals must notify the government in advance and obtain the government's approval before carrying out religious fund-raising. In view of the fact that most temples in Bhutan are ancient buildings, they need a lot of maintenance and a lot of money. On May 3 1970, Bhutan's National Assembly decided that the local government (especially at Zonghe village level) should be responsible for the maintenance of temples, thus greatly reducing the economic burden of temples and avoiding conflicts between temples and the people because of providing free labor.

(5) Buddhist temples. Most temples in Bhutan are located in the prominent part of the foothills, with dangerous terrain and lack of water. Temple buildings are generally civil and stone structures, and the wall foundations are generally made of stones. The thickness of the main wall is about 1 m, which is relatively strong. According to statistics, there are currently more than 2,000 ancient Buddhist temples and 1000 pagodas in Bhutan. Because of their age, most of these temples and pagodas need maintenance. In order to protect religious facilities, Bhutan spends a lot of money to repair temples every year. In 2002, Bhutan spent 65.438 billion Nu on the maintenance and repair of Jabjang Chuk Choling Lhakang in Paro alone.

(6) The influence of religion on social life. Religion has been dominant in Bhutan for a long time, especially in people's economy, culture and daily life, so it still plays an important role in Bhutan's politics, economy, military, culture and daily life. Politically, Kikampo enjoys a position second only to the king, and there are religious representatives in political institutions at all levels; Economically, the annual expenditure on religious affairs accounts for about 25% of the country's total income, and lamas occupy a lot of land, which is fertile land; Militarily, every military camp has temples, and religious ceremonies are held before recruits join the army; In culture and daily life, each Sect has a Zhacang (big temple), which generally covers an area of about 22 mu and has 2 1 many monks. Mainly responsible for presiding over the ceremonies of the Sect, and managing the educational affairs within the Sect. Each village (village) has a temple with more than 5 monks, who are mainly responsible for local educational activities. Almost every household has an altar dedicated to Tathagata or lotus peanuts, and wealthy families also have a special hall for family members to pray in the morning, evening and auspicious seasons. In our daily life, there are often wooden barrels filled with bamboo poles in Bhutan River, which contain scriptures and keep turning because of the current. Lamas think it's chanting.

(7) Bhutan's modern Buddhist holy land.

Punakazon, also known as Punakazon Castle, is the oldest castle in Bhutan and the most famous Buddhist shrine in Bhutan. It is located at the intersection of Po River and Mohe River, with an altitude of 65,438+0,463 meters. 1.637 Built by Chapouton I. The central tower is nearly1.83m long and more than 7m wide. At the same time, it is also a collection of Buddhist manuscripts, holy lists of Buddhist celebrities, religious paintings of different specifications and realistic portraits of religious celebrities in Bhutan. In the magnificent tower, the remains of the ancient Bhutanese Sha Immortal are preserved, and the remains are preserved with spices. No one can enter the room where the body is placed except the king and some senior lamas.

In ancient times, Punaka Castle was an important place for Bhutanese rulers to live and hold pilgrimages, and now it is the winter palace of Archbishop Kikampo Lama (king of France). From June 10 to April 1 day (Bhutan calendar), Lama Kikampo will lead all lamas in the Central Temple to move from the Summer Palace of Tasca Castle in Timbuktu to Punaka for the winter. Therefore, this castle occupies a prominent position in Bhutan's ethnic and religious affairs.

Tashi CHO g zong- also known as Tashicho Castle, is located near the center of Thimphu Valley, with an altitude of 2,500 meters. It was built by Lama Phajo Dugon Shipgo, the father of Bhutanese religion, in the third century. 164 1 year, Chapouton I expanded the castle. Since then, because most of the original temple buildings were destroyed by fire and earthquake, King Jigme Dor Ji Jie wangchuck III rebuilt it on 196 1. The castle is a quadrilateral stone building, with seven floors, and the height of each floor ranges from 4.5 meters to 6 meters. It is covered with a gently sloping fir roof, lined with wooden boards, and the eaves are wide. Outside the room, there is a row of verandahs supported by beautiful columns and a wall more than 9 meters high, which inclines slightly inward from the base to the top. There is a row of balconies by the blue wall, and there are some small windows under the balcony. The two entrances to the south and east can lead to a section of stone outside, and the two gates are reinforced with iron handles. In the center of the castle is the square building mansion of the Lama leader. The roads on the left and right lead to the big square paved with smooth stones and the Lama's room.

Zhaxize Castle is now the summer palace of Kikampo Lama. Every year from March 30th to September 30th (Bhutan Day), Kikampo will lead the lamas of the Central Temple to move back from Punaka to Zhaxiche Castle for the summer.