Bhutan may have been inhabited as early as 2000 BCE, but little is known about its early history. The real historical period starts with the introduction of Buddhism in the 7th century CE. Although the two most sacred and historical Buddhist temples, Kyichu in Paro and Jampa in Bumthang, were built in the 7th century CE, it was not until the visit of the great saint Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche, in the 8th century that Buddhism took firm root in Bhutan. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche first converted king Sindha of the Bumthang valley to Buddhism, after which the faith gradually spread to other parts of Bhutan. Although many spiritual and secular leaders appeared in Bhutan, for centuries nobody could unify the region into one nation. Then in the 17th century Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651), defeated several would-be invasions from Tibet, subjugated rival religious schools, codified an intricate and comprehensive system of law, and established himself as ruler (Zhabdrung) over a system of ecclesiastical and civil administrators. After his death, the country was ruled by Desi (regents) who oversaw secular matters and Je Khenpos (Chief Abbots) who dealt with religious matters. In addition, incarnations of the Zhabdrung appeared in three different lineages for the next couple centuries.
0History
June 8, 2017
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