History of Bhutan

History of Bhutan

The name Bhutan appears to have been derived from the ancient Indian term “Bhotanta” which means the end of the land of the Bhots. ‘Bhots’ was the Sanskrit term for Tibetans, so Bhutan could mean the end of the land of Tibet. It may also come from “Bhu-uttan”, which means ‘high land’. Though known to the outside world as Bhutan, Bhutanese refer to their country as Druk Yul or the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Bhutan has been an independent nation throughout its history, a historic fact greatly treasured and prized by Bhutanese. Bhutan had numerous clans and tribal feudal chiefs who ruled over different regions in the country. These feudal chiefs were in constant conflict among themselves and with Tibet. It was not until the 17th century that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel unified the country under one rule. He established a dual system of government, with religious and civil administration working side by side.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel had a great impact not only on the administration but equally on the history of Buddhism in Bhutan. He built Dzongs, monasteries and religious institutions. He established the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan.

The dual form of governance ended in the year 1907 when the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary king of Bhutan. Since then, Bhutan has had five kings; His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the fifth. The third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, is credited with opening the country to the outside world and leading it into the modern age.

Bhutan was not unified under a central authority until the 17th century, but religion had held the country together spiritually for centuries before that. According to legend, in 747 AD Guru Padmasambhava, known in Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche, made his legendary trip from Tibet across the mountains flying on a tigress’s back.

He arrived in Paro valley at Taktshang Lhakhang, the Tiger’s Nest, where a monastery now perches on the cliff face in his memory. Guru Rinpoche is not only recognized as the founder of the Nyingmapa school but is also regarded as the second Buddha. In the centuries that followed, many great masters spread the Buddhist faith. The country was eventually unified under the Drukpa Kagyu school of Mahayana Buddhism by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

The 17th century witnessed a remarkable change from the unification of the country under one rule to the coronation of the first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, in 1907. Under the kings who followed, Bhutan has developed while keeping its balance through the philosophy of Gross National Happiness.