Zhung Dratshang sends special representative of His Holiness the Je Khenpo 

Kathmandu, Nepal-The Druk Amitabha Mountain in Kathmandu, Nepal, will host the 10th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) starting today  bringing together spiritual leaders, environmentalists, peace advocates, and practitioners of the Drukpa lineage from Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Himalayan regions, and beyond.

This year, Khenchen Tandin Sithup of Zhung Dratshang will attend as the special representative of His Holiness the Je Khenpo, while Bhutan’s Home Minister Tshering will represent the government as the guest of honor.

Over 100 Bhutanese monks, devotees, and volunteers are traveling to Nepal for the event, with 40 Bhutanese volunteers actively assisting the organisers.

A celebration of Drukpa Kagyued Tradition

The ADC is the world’s largest gathering of masters, students, and followers of the Drukpa lineage of Buddhism. Established in 2009 by Gyalwang Drukpa, the revered head of the lineage, it aims to create a unifying platform for fostering global compassion, harmony, and spiritual growth. “This gathering celebrates the Drukpa Kagyued Buddhist tradition and offers a platform to deepen ties between Bhutan and the Drukpa lineage while fostering spiritual unity across the Himalayan belt,” one Bhutanese attendee said. “It is a perfect platform to reconnect, propagate Buddha Dharma, and promote harmony among religious institutions and monasteries worldwide, especially in Bhutan.”

Themed “Rejoice: Connect and Aspire Beyond Boundaries,” this year’s ADC resumes after a six-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It also marks the reopening of the nunnery to the public, allowing participants to experience its vibrant spiritual and cultural heritage.

The five-day event offers a blend of spiritual teachings, cultural performances, and humanitarian discussions. Organisers describe the event as transformative, inspiring attendees to embark on a renewed spiritual journey and leaving a lasting impact on their hearts and minds. The event will conclude on New Year’s Day, symbolically ushering in a fresh chapter of unity and growth.

The council will feature inspiring talks and teachings by eminent Drukpa leaders, including Gyalwang Drukpa, Gyalwa Dokhampa, Drukpa Thuksey, Kyabje Palga Rinpoche, and Kyabje Kuenga Rinpoche. Khenchen Tandin Sithup, Je Khenpo’s representative and principal of Namdroling Geonzin Dratshang in Autsho, will deliver a talk on the “Four Reliances” and “Four Teachings of Kadampa” on Sunday, December 29.

Kung Fu Nuns at the forefront

A highlight of the ADC will be the participation of the famed Kung Fu Nuns from the Druk Amitabha monastery. Known for their unique combination of spiritual discipline and martial arts, the nuns will perform Kung Fu demonstrations, sacred drum rituals, and other ceremonial activities.

The Kung Fu Nuns, champions of gender equality and environmentalism, have broken centuries-old traditions favoring male leadership in Buddhist communities. Their roles as hosts, speakers, and performers during the ADC emphasize their growing influence and contribution to the Drukpa lineage. “Kung Fu is part of our daily routine,” said Jigme Yangchen Gamo, a 24-year-old Kung Fu Nun. “It is not about violence but maintaining physical and mental strength, allowing us to focus and concentrate on our responsibilities.”

The nuns have received numerous international accolades, including the UNESCO Martial Arts Education Prize (2021), Atlantic Council’s Unsung Heroes Award (2020), and Asia Society Game Changers Award (2019). Their advocacy for self-defense and anti-trafficking campaigns further highlights their commitment to social justice.

The Drukpa Lineage

The Drukpa Lineage, one of the prominent schools of Himalayan Buddhism, was founded by Drogon Tsangpa Gyare (1161–1211), a disciple of Mahasiddha Lingchen Repa. Known as the reincarnation of the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa, Tsangpa Gyare’s spiritual attainments earned him the title Druk Thamchay Khyenpa (The Omniscient Dragon), and he became the first Gyalwang Drukpa.

The lineage follows the Mahayana philosophy of achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all beings and uses Tantrayana teachings. It derives its name, Drukpa, from a celestial event when nine dragons were seen ascending into the sky at Namdruk.

The Drukpa lineage flourished in Bhutan, or “Druk Yul” (“Land of Thunder Dragons”), in the 13th century when Phajo Drugom Zhigpo brought the teachings to the region. Figures like Lama Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal later consolidated the lineage, making it Bhutan’s state religion.

After the passing of the fourth Gyalwang Drukpa, Kunkhyen Pema Karpo, in the late 16th century, the lineage split into two branches: the Northern Drukpa, led by the Gyalwang Drukpa, and the Southern Drukpa, established by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in Bhutan.

A Global Presence

Today, the Drukpa lineage extends beyond Bhutan, with a significant presence in Ladakh, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti in India, as well as parts of Nepal and Vietnam. Its followers continue to uphold its teachings of compassion and service, spreading the values of the lineage worldwide.

The ADC, according to the organisers, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Drukpa lineage. By reconnecting Bhutan and the Himalayan communities to their spiritual roots, the event fosters a shared sense of purpose and unity. “As the council ushers in the new year, it reinforces its mission of spreading wisdom, compassion, and harmony across boundaries, creating a brighter future for all those it touches,” one coordinator said.

Contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk