Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal: the architect of a unified nation state of Bhutan

Shabdrung was born in Tibet in 1594 into a princely family of Gya who ruled the Drukpa Kaygupa school. He was born at the monastery of Gardong in U provine. His grand father, Mipham Choegyal, was then the prince abbot at Ralung monastery. From an early age, Shabdrung was groomed to succed his grand father to the throne. He studied religion and art, becoming skilled in the art of painting and sculpting. He became the 18th prine abbot of Ralung at the age of 12 years after the death of his grand father.

The event that changed is life was his indentification as the incarnation of of the great Drukpa scholar, Kuenkhen Pema Karpo, who himself was the reincarnation of of the founder of the Drukpa Kagyud school, Tsangpa Gyarey Yeshey Dorjee. The reincarnation was challenged by another contender, Pagsam Wangpo who was the son of powerful principality in Tibet. He also claimed to be the reincarnation of Pema Karpo and was installed in Pema Karpo's monastery as the incarnate with the support of the ruler of Tsang province. This became increasingly difficult for Shabdrung and in he decided to come to Bhutan in 1616 where he had so many disciples.

Thirty years after his arrival from Tibet, Shabdrung had unified most parts of Bhutan under his rule, and had subdued and united the other religious schools. He repelled the repeated Tibetan invasions and built fortress in each valley of the country thus establishing firm political and religious control over the region. These fortress, which still exist today, are a unique feature of our country. The Shabdrung also gave the country a unique national identity in form of social and cultural life which greatly contributed towards protection of Bhutan's sovereignity over the centuries. An outstanding and valiant saint soldier, a statesman with foresight, a great scholar and a graet builder, Shabdrung is rightly regarded as the architect of a unified nation state of Bhutan.

Source: Department of Education.