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His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo received the Dar Na Nga

The Coronation Celebration Day of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is scheduled to be held on 6, 7 and 8 November 2008 .

The 5th Druk Gyalpo, HM Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
It was the ultimate empowerment of a Dharma King. In a ceremony, that was deeply spiritual, richly traditional, and shrouded in sacred mystical truths, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth hereditary King of Bhutan, received the Dar Na Nga on November 1, 2008.

The Dar Na Nga, an arrangement of silk scarves in the five primary colours, representing the five elements, is a direct empowerment from the Zhabdrung himself. The Dar Na Nga is preserved in the Machhen Chhorten, which holds the Kudung (physical relics) of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is returned to the Machhen Lhakhang in a chipdrel procession after the empowerment ceremony of the Kings.

His Majesty received the same Dar Na-Nga, which was received by all the Monarchs of the Wangchuck dynasty - Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck, Jigme Wangchuck, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

It is believed that the Dar Na-Nga was given by Jigme Namgyel to Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck.

In the 17th century, during his last meditation, the Zhabdrung had instructed that only Desi Tenzin Drukgyal and Dung Damchoe, an attendant, were allowed to enter the lhakhang. Over the centuries, the spirit of the Zhabdrung has been preserved through the ceremonies, that are performed in the lhakhang, and the offerings made to the relics. Since then, only the Kings and the Je Khenpos have entered the Machhen Lhakhang, apart from the Machhen Zimpon, a highly revered and accomplished lama, who is the caretaker.

On Saturday, after receiving the Dar Na Nga, His Majesty the King entered the Kuenra (congregation hall) of the Punakha Dzong for the Tashi Ngasoel (auspicious celebration), followed by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo and His Holiness the Je Khenpo. His Majesty ascended the Ceremonial Throne with the fourth Druk Gyalpo seated on his right and the Je Khenpo on his left.

Before the giant images of the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the Zhung Dratshang (Central Monk Body) performed the ceremony, their deep baritones reverberating around the hall ... Om Ah Hum ...

His Majesty the King was offered a set of Tshelha Namsum statues (three bodhisattvas of longevity) for eternal life, Gyelwa Rigna (five symbols of empowerment), Tashi Zegye (eight auspicious articles), Gyelsi Naduen (seven precious symbols of the Universal Emperor), and Tashi Tagye (eight auspicious signs) by representatives of the clergy, the government leaders, commanders of the armed forces, and representatives of the people.

The congregation in the Kuenra comprised masters from all Mahayana Buddhist traditions, members of the royal family, leaders of the government, the bureaucracy, and the armed forces, and representatives of the people. Crowds filled the courtyard and thousands of people waited outside the Dzong.

After members of the congregation offered thridar, His Majesty the King met with guests and well wishers and then chose to spend the rest of the day with the people.


The Raven Crown of the 5th Druk Gyalpo (left) , The Raven Crown of the 4th Druk Gyalpo HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck (right)
The Raven Crown renders the Druk Gyalpo a personification of the supreme warrior.

If the sacred Dar ceremony was a spiritual legitimisation of the Monarch, the emotions of the Bhutanese people proved to be an equally powerful energy. His Majesty the King celebrated with the people, including thousands of youth and students, late into the evening, ending the long day with songs and dances on the banks of a serene Mochhu river.

On Sunday, November 2, His Majesty the King made a remarkable journey from Punakha to Thimphu, a journey, that was more of a passage through time than distance. Children, farmers, monks and nuns, foreign visitors, and people from all walks of life lined the road, lighting incense and making personal offerings and ceremonial scarves.

His Majesty stopped to talk to people along the entire length of the highway: "The greatest gift that I have received today is that I have been able to meet all of you ... On the occasion of the Coronation, all I ask is for your prayers. I ask you to pray for the health and long life of the fourth Druk Gyalpo and for peace, harmony and prosperity in the kingdom."

Coronation 2008:
The 4th Druk Gyalpo, HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck
with the President of India Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil
(November 2008)
His Majesty the King knew hundreds of people in person and spent hours speaking to thousands of others. There were elderly people, who had served several generations of Kings, their eyes wet with nostalgia.
There were excited young parents, who brought new-born babies to be blessed. There were gomchhens, monks, and nuns offering prayers, some of them taking a break from life-long meditation to greet their King.

There were modern professionals, inspired by His Majesty's interest in their work, businessmen and women encouraged by his support, and traditional farmers, who were assured by his presence.

"I can sense the aura of his forefathers in this bodhisattva," said a 74-year old man, who had served three former Kings. "Looking at the dramatic developments, that have taken place over the past decades, I can't even imagine what it's going to be like during his reign."

An anim in Hongtsho said that she was dedicating her entire practice to His Majesty, his health and long life, and his happiness. "I pray that fortune smiles on our King until the world ends."

A significant proportion of Bhutan's population appeared to have poured out on to the streets of the nation's capital city, in the tens of thousands, to greet His Majesty the King. Thimphu had never seen a day like this. His Majesty the King strolled along the main street, completely at ease and at home. His Majesty spoke to people, from the Lungtenzampa bridge to the Royal Cottage. "All I ask for, today, is your prayers."

His Majesty the King paid close attention to the thousands of students and youth, individually and in groups. Their response was spontaneous. They offered their services, loyalty, and commitment. They sang him songs they had composed.

His Majesty's advice was simple. Bhutanese youth must celebrate the Coronation and enjoy themselves. And then they must study seriously and work hard.

"I'm counting on you," the Druk Gyalpo told the youth of Bhutan.

This article was contributed by Kinley Dorji, Rinzin Wangchuk & Kesang Dema, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper, 2008
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