Meaning and History of Thongdrol

Buddhas and Bodhisattvas possess indiscernible virtues, which permit them to liberate from sufferings even those who fall straight into hell after having committed sins as killing parents and breaking the vow to their clerical brothers and lamas.

There, people have only to think, to touch, to taste, to smell, to listen and to see the support of the body (statue), speech (books) and mind (chorten) of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. This is called liberation by the mind, by touch, by knowledge, by taste, by smell, by listening and by seeing.

The people who know virtuous and unvituous deed, because of their devotion and faith in the support of body, speech and mind of the Buddha, have created the thongdrol; a mere sight liberates the individuals. In this mundane world, there is nowhere to be found a more superior treasure.

In order to help all the sentient beings that are nowadays impure, the Buddhas of ten directions have consulted each other and have united all their virtues of compassion resulting in the arrival of Ugyen Rinpoche on earth.

During a previous life, he was born as a son to a poultry farmer. At that time, while he was erecting the great chorten of Jarungkhashor (Bodhnath in Nepal); he made a powerful vow to have compassion for sentient beings, particularly those of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. Because of his vow, he is giving compassion and blessing to them, far more rapidly than the other Buddhas.

This is why our accomplished ancestors made the great Thongdrols, which represnts Ugyen Rinpoche and his eight manifestations, the sight of which liberates. They also established the code of veneration and offerings to it. Both this life and the next, it is hoped that those who have a great desire to be delivered from trans-migratory existence develop and protect this excellent ancient custom.

Sungdrel Ceremony (Blessing and offering ceremony performed by the monk body in front of Thongdrol). Regardless of the size and importance of any auspicious occasion, we must complete Sungdrel Ceremony to the main achievements of the glorious Drukpa. The Sungdrel Ceremony must have three or five accomplished elements, which are as follows:

An accomplished place:
It is here in the kingdom of Bhutan, the valley of Medicinal Herbs, which has become, as quoted from different sources as “excellent place where Buddhas and Bodhasattvas, Shakya Thubpa (Historical Buddha) Ugyen Rinpoche (the saint who leads people from five impurities) and Zhabdrung have diffused the Tantras”.

An accomplished master:
Ugyen Pemajyune incorporated within himself all the Buddhas. His image is seen on the great Thangka that liberates us from base reincarnations.

An accomplished retinue:
The holy clergy and even the devoted people who wear rich clothes and ornaments in the middle of the assembly like a gathering of celestial stars.

An accomplished time:
The time when religious practices continuously flourish, ranging from reciting Mani and Baza Guru up to practice of the Tantric Path.

An accomplished requisite for offerings:
All kinds of offerings such as food and fruits, prayer flags, nectar-like alcohol, offering tea and sweet smelling incense are combined. Like cheerful minded gods in a small grove of trees, a number of man and gods are seated in rows (literal meaning of Sungdrel) and are making this offering which is called the Sungdrel Ceremony.
Earlier there was only Guru Thongdrol, but nowadays Buddha and Zhabdrung Thongdrol are shown in some Dzongs.