Abstract
Ancient monasteries in Bhutan are an immense asset to the country both in terms of tangible architecture and intangible cultural and religious values. Initially, they were built owing to the interconnected spatial and spiritual significance of the particular place and its concerned divine master. These monasteries have prolifically aided in the propagation of Buddhism as well as defining the very architecture of Bhutan. However, due to the unavailability of rigorous research about it, many monasteries are off the radar of government and scholars with some of them in dire need of restoration. The paper attempts to document and highlight the spatial and spiritual significance of Tharpaling, particularly the Choedrak monastery, which is located in Chumey village under Bumthang district, Bhutan. Having been impregnated sacredness by the visit of Guru Rinpoche (precious master), the subsequent visit of Gyalwa Lorepa reassured the impetus for the transformation of a mere cave into a monastery complex. In conjunction with it, Choedrak is revered as one of the four sacred Drak (cliff) temples of Guru Rinpoche and attracts tourists as well as locals to receive blessings and for extended retreat purposes. Architecturally, the main temple of the Choedrak is a resemblance of a typical monastery architecture of Bhutan incorporating traditional features such as whitewashed tapering stone wall adorned with wooden windows, floating-like roof, and colorful elegance of the interiors. The current study is intended to further signify its place in the cultural heritage dictionary of Bhutan and consequently harness opportunities from the relevant agencies such as the Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites for appropriate and sound solutions for the preservation of the monastery.
Résumé De Recherche
Les monastères anciens au Bhoutan constituent un immense atout pour le pays que ce soit en termes d'architecture tangible que de valeurs culturelles et religieuses intangibles. Ils ont été construits initialement en raison de la signification spatiale et spirituelle interconnectée du lieu et de son maître divin en question. Ces monastères ont contribué de manière prolifique à la propagation du boudhisme ainsi qu'à la définition de l'architecture propre au Bhoutan. Cependant, en raison de l'indisponibilité d'une recherche rigoureuse à cet égard, de nombreux monastères ne suscitent pas l'intérêt du gouvernement et des chercheurs alors que certains d'entre eux ont un besoin pressant de travaux de restauration. L'article s'efforce de documenter et de mettre en exergue la signification spatiale et spiriturelle de Tharpaling, en particulier le monastère de Choedrak qui est situé dans le village de Chumey relevant du district de Bumthang, Bhoutan. Ayant été sacralisé par la visite de Guru Rinpoche (maître précieux), la visite ultérieure de Gyalwa Lorepa a confirmé l'élan d'une transformation d'une simple caverne en un complexe monastique. Conjointement à ce dernier, Choedrak est révéré comme l'un des quatre temples Drak (falaise) sacrés de Guru Rinpoche et il attire les touristes ainsi que les résidents locaux pour recevoir des bénédictions et faire des retraites prolongées. D'un point de vue architectural, le temple principal de Choedrak ressemble à l'architecture monastique typique du Bhoutan, incorporant des caractéristiques traditionnelles comme la muraille de pierre en angle et blanchie à la chaux, ornée de fenêtres de bois, une toiture semblant flotter et une élégance colorée des espaces intérieurs. L'étude actuelle a vocation à affirmer plus encore sa place dans le dictionnaire du patrimoine culturel du Bhoutan et à saisir en conséquence les opportunités issues des agences concernées telles que la Division pour la conservation des sites patrimoniaux (DCHS - Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites) afin de parvenir à des solutions adéquates et pertinentes pour la préservation du monastère.
Resumen
Los antiguos monasterios de Bután son un enorme activo para el país, tanto en términos de arquitectura tangible como de valores culturales y religiosos intangibles. Inicialmente, se construyeron debido a la importancia espacial y espiritual interconectada del lugar en particular y su maestro divino en cuestión. Estos monasterios han ayudado prolíficamente en la propagación del budismo, así como en la definición de la arquitectura misma de Bután. Sin embargo, debido a la falta de disponibilidad de una investigación rigurosa al respecto, muchos monasterios están fuera del radar del gobierno y los eruditos, y urge la restauración de algunos. Este artículo intenta documentar y resaltar el significado espacial y espiritual de Tharpaling, particularmente el monasterio Choedrak, que se encuentra en la aldea de Chumey en el distrito de Bumthang, Bután. Habiendo sido impregnada de sacralidad por la visita de Guru Rinpoche (maestro precioso), la visita subsecuente de Gyalwa Lorepa reforzó el ímpetu para la transformación de una mera cueva en un complejo de monasterio. Junto con él, Choedrak es venerado como uno de los cuatro templos sagrados Drak (de acantilado) de Guru Rinpoche y atrae tanto a turistas como a lugareños para recibir bendiciones y con fines de retiro prolongado. Arquitectónicamente, el templo principal de Choedrak se asemeja a la arquitectura típica de un monasterio de Bután que incorpora características tradicionales como una pared de piedra cónica encalada adornada con ventanas de madera, un techo flotante y la colorida elegancia de los interiores. El presente estudio tiene la intención de definir aún más su lugar en el diccionario del patrimonio cultural de Bután y, en consecuencia, aprovechar las oportunidades de las agencias relevantes, como la División para la Conservación de Sitios del Patrimonio (DCHS), para encontrar soluciones adecuadas y sólidas para la preservación del monasterio.
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Acknowledgements
The author is thankful to College of Science and Technology, Royal University of Bhutan, Phuentsholing 21101, for assisting the project through Annual University Research grant (AURG). We exuberantly thank the management of Choedrak Monastery for their support during the entire phase of project. The data are record of consultancy services carried out by the authors and funds were covered from it.
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Conceptualization, J.T. and N.C.; Data collection and field survey, J.T. and C.; methodology, J.T. and C.; data curation, N.C.;writing—original draft preparation, N.C. and J.T.; writing—review and editing, J.T. and C.; supervision, C.; All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Thinley, J., Chimi, C. & Chettri, N. Spiritual and Spatial Significance of Choedrak Monastery in the Cultural Geography of Bhutan. Arch 17, 407–430 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-021-09432-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-021-09432-z