Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang is a significant Buddhist monastery located in Punakha District, Bhutan, founded in 1499 by Lama Ngawang Chogyal. It is renowned for its association with the "Divine Madman," Drukpa Kunley, and its unique tradition of blessing pilgrims, particularly women seeking fertility, with phallus symbols. The monastery is a popular pilgrimage site, drawing visitors interested in its history, blessings, and the distinctive cultural practices it upholds.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1499 by Drukpa Kagyu lama Ngawang Chogyal.
- ›Associated with the unorthodox Buddhist master Drukpa Kunley, known as the "Divine Madman."
- ›Features a repository of an original wooden phallus symbol used for blessings.
- ›Pilgrims, especially women seeking children, are blessed by being struck on the head with a wooden phallus.
- ›The monastery's hillock was described by Lama Kunley as the "breast of a woman" due to its round shape.
- ›Houses statues of Drukpa Kunley and his dog Sachi, as well as Zhabdrung, Sakyamuni Buddha, and Chenresig.
Important Relationships
- Ngawang Chogyal
- Drukpa Kunley
- Ralung Monastery
Original Wooden Phallus Symbol, Chorten Built By Drukpa Kunley, Frescoes Depicting Drukpa Kunley's Life, Statue of Drukpa Kunley and His Dog Sachi, Round Hillock Resembling A Woman's Breast
- Subduing of A Demoness By Lama Kunley
- Blessing of the Site By Drukpa Kunley
- Establishment of the Tradition of Fertility Blessings
Bhutanese Architecture
About Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang: The "Fertility Temple" of Bhutan
Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery, is a prominent Buddhist monastery situated in the Punakha District of Bhutan. Founded in 1499 by the Drukpa Kagyu lama Ngawang Chogyal, it holds significant cultural and religious importance, particularly for its association with the "Divine Madman," Drukpa Kunley.
History and Legends
The monastery's unique name, Chimi Lhakhang, translates to "dog temple" and is derived from a legend involving a subdued demoness who transformed into a dog. The site was further blessed by Drukpa Kunley, a revered Buddhist master known for his unorthodox teaching methods. He is credited with subduing a demon at nearby Dochu La and is famously associated with the use of phallus symbols. The monastery houses an original wooden phallus, a relic brought from Tibet, which is central to its blessings.
Traditions and Pilgrimage
Chimi Lhakhang is renowned as a pilgrimage site, especially for women seeking blessings for fertility. The primary ritual involves the presiding Lama striking pilgrims on the head with a carved wooden phallus, a practice believed to aid conception. Visitors can also draw bamboo slips from the altar, inscribed with names for prospective children. The hillock on which the monastery stands is said to have been described by Lama Kunley as resembling a woman's breast due to its rounded form.
Structure and Features
The monastery itself is of modest size, with a square structure and a golden spire, topped by a golden yellow roof. Its exterior walls are adorned with slates carved with images of saints, and a small chorten near the entrance marks the spot where the demoness was subdued. Inside the prayer hall, visitors will find tantric paraphernalia, thangkas, bells, drums, horns, dorjis, and a kangd. The altar features a reclining statue of Drukpa Kunley alongside a ceramic statue of his dog, Sachi. Images of Zhabdrung, Sakyamuni Buddha, and Chenresig are also deified within the monastery. Frescoes depicting the "Mad Saint's" colorful life adorn the walls.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chimi Lhakhang known for?
Chimi Lhakhang is most famous for its association with the "Divine Madman," Drukpa Kunley, and its unique fertility blessings. Visitors, particularly women, come to receive blessings using a wooden phallus symbol, believed to help in conceiving children.
Who founded Chimi Lhakhang?
The monastery was founded and built in 1499 by the Drukpa Kagyu lama Ngawang Chogyal. He was the 14th abbot of Ralung Monastery.
What is the significance of the phallus symbols at Chimi Lhakhang?
Phallus symbols, including the original wooden one housed at the monastery, are used to bless pilgrims, especially women seeking children. Traditionally, these symbols in Bhutan are also intended to ward off evil spirits and malicious gossip.
How do pilgrims receive blessings at Chimi Lhakhang?
The presiding Lama strikes pilgrims on the head with a 10-inch wooden phallus as part of the blessing ritual. Visitors may also draw bamboo slips from the altar with names for unborn children.
Where is Chimi Lhakhang located?
Chimi Lhakhang is located in Punakha District, Bhutan, near the village of Lobesa. It stands on a round hillock overlooking agricultural fields.
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