WORLD BUDDHIST STAMPS e.GALLERY
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| Monasteries of Bhutan | |
Stamps illustration: 1. Taksang Monastery Taktsang Monastery, famously known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, is located in Paro district, Bhutan. The monastery is one of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan. Taktsang clings to the rock towering 800m (2,600feet) above the valley and is located 2,950m (9,678 feet) above the seal level. It takes about 2 to 3 hours (depending on your fitness level) to climb to the monastery from the road of Ramthangkha, 12 kilometres from Paro town.
The legend of Taktsang (Tiger's nest) evolved form 747 AD when Guru Padmasmbhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) chose a cave on a sheer rock face to meditate and, assuming a wrathful form, Guru Dorji Drolo, astride a tigress to subdue the evil spirits in the locality. Legend has it that the tigress was actually Yeshi Tshogyal, a consort of Guru Rinpoche, who has transformed herself into a fearsome animal to subjugate spirits. It is also said that Yeshe Tshogyal transformed herself into a tigress to carry Guru Rinpoche on her back from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to Taktsang. Guru Rinpoche then performed meditation at the very same site and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations). Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest monastery) thus became one of the most important Buddhist sacred sites in the Himalayan Buddhist world.
At Taktsang, Guru Rinpoche revealed the Mandala of Pelchen Dorje Phurpa, and delivered sublime teachings to his disciples. He meditated in the cave for 3 years 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days before subjugating the malicious spirits, and concealed profound treasures for the benefit of sentient beings. 2. Kichu Monastery Kichu Lhakhang, also known as Lho Kichu Temple is a historically significant temple located in Lango Gewong of Paro, a city in Bhutan. It is one of the oldest temples in the country dating back to the 7th century. The history of this monastery is riveting and was ministered by a great deal of popular figures such as Guru Rinpoche and it is one of the famous places to see in Paro.
Kichu Lhakhang is actually composed of twin temples. The original one was built by the first Buddhist King of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and the other was built in the year 1968 under the jurisdiction of Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Choden. 3. Kurjey Monastery Kurjey Lhakang also known as the Kurjey Monastery, is located in the Bumthang valley in the Bumthang district of Bhutan. This is the final resting place of the remains of the first three Kings of Bhutan.Also, a large tree behind one of the temple buildings is believed to be a terma that was left there by Padmasambhava.
4. Jambay Monastery The Jampa Temple or Temple of Maitreya is located in Bumthang (Jakar) in Bhutan, and is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever.
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| Issued Country | Bhutan |
| Issued Year | 2015 |
| Category | Buddhist Architect Buddhist Landscape |
| Type | Commemorative/Special Stamps |