The spiritual groundwork for one of Bhutan’s most important religious undertakings is steadily progressing at Sarpang Dzong, where monks are preparing the sacred relics and ritual materials that will eventually be placed inside 108 Jangchub Chortens in the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
As part of the preparations for Project 108, His Holiness the Je Khenpo has offered 120 sacred Ringsel for enshrinement within the chortens. The relics have been received at Sarpang Dzong and are now being preserved while the Zhung Dratshang, or Central Monastic Body, prepares the Zung—the collection of consecrated objects, scriptures, mantras and relics placed within a stupa.
Laytshog Lopen Sangay Dorji of the Central Monastic Body described the Ringsel and the Yeshey Sempa as the spiritual essence of a chorten.
“Just as the heart and mind are the most important parts of the human body, the Yeshey Sempa and the Ringsel are the most important elements of a stupa,” he said.
He added that the relics had received the personal blessings of His Holiness the Je Khenpo during the commemoration of the Buddha’s First Sermon.
“His Holiness personally placed each Ringsel inside the small chortens with his own hands and offered profound prayers and blessings for them,” the Laytshog Lopen said.
The Ringsel, however, form only one part of the elaborate spiritual preparations currently taking place.
Within the precincts of Sarpang Dzong, monks are assembling numerous sacred substances and religious objects required for the Zung. Among the most demanding tasks is the preparation of thousands of sacred mantras, which are carefully printed, rolled by hand and arranged according to prescribed religious traditions.
The work begins at around 8am each day and continues until evening. Monks carry out the process with sustained concentration, as even the smallest components must be prepared and positioned with precision.
According to the Zhung Dratshang, almost half of the work involved in preparing the Zung has been completed.
Once the materials are ready, the Central Monastic Body will conduct a month-long Zung Drub, an extensive consecration ceremony intended to spiritually empower the relics before their installation inside the chortens.
The ritual will bring together monastic representatives from across the country.
“As soon as the preparation of the Zung is complete, we will conduct a month-long Zung Drub,” the Laytshog Lopen said. “It will be one of the most important religious ceremonies of this project.”
Around 45 Drubdey Lopens representing all 20 dzongkhags are expected to participate, along with five Rethri Tshampas. Together, they will perform the prayers, rituals and meditative practices required to complete the consecration.
Envisioned by His Majesty The King, the 108 Jangchub Chorten Project is expected to become a defining spiritual landmark of the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Although construction of the chortens has yet to begin, the religious foundation of the project is already being established.
At Sarpang Dzong, 20 Zung Lopens and 60 supporting monks continue their work largely away from public view. Through the preparation of mantras, relics and sacred objects, they are creating what will eventually form the spiritual core of each of the 108 Jangchub Chortens.
