History of Trashi Yangtse

 

Chorten Kora

In the whole of Bhutan, Trashi Yangtse is a highly blessed district by many legends and profound Buddhist abbots such as Guru Padmasambhava, Terton Pema Lingpa, Ani Chorten Zangmo, Lhasey Tsangma and his decedents. According to the oral history, prince Tsangma had two sons; elder brother Thrimi Lhai Wangchuk and younger Chebu Thonglektsen. Elder brother moved to Moen Tawang (La Og Yulsum) upon the invitation made by Dakpa to rule their state, he settled there and people of Tawang claim to be descendent of Thrimi Lhai Wangchuk. On other side Chebu Thonglektsen decided to reside permanently at Tsenkhar Dzong mainly to take care of his father’s properties.  Chebu Thonglektsen had three sons; elder Thriten Pal, younger Gongkar Gyal and Palkye Dar who is said to be twin brothers. Elder brother remained at Tsenkhar which was then main abode of prince Tsangma. Gongkhar Gyal was invited by residents of upper and lower Kholongchu valley (Donglum) to reign their region. The village had a castle built by Gongkar Gyalpo (Ruler of Donglum) and named it as Dongdi Dzong which visibly erects from the confluence of two rivulets, Dongdi Chu and Kholong Chu. Dating back to 9^th century, Dongdi Dzong is considered as one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan, even older than Simtokha Dzong.

People of Donglum remained defensive to any external threats until the repeated Tibetan invasions from north scattered inhabitants and weakened their defense power. By the time of Terton Pema Lingpa’s visit to upper and lower Kholongchu valley (Donglum) in 15^th century, people in the region fled and Dongdi Dzong was destroyed beyond repair nonetheless. Terton Pema Lingpa immediately rebuilt the Dzong and then renamed it as Trashi Yangtse Dzong- the fortress of auspicious fortune. It is 4 km aback drive from Trashi Yangtse town and travelers get blessings along the road as it visibly stands aloft perched on steep ridge.

 

The Journey of Prince Tsangma to Bhutan

History of Trashi Yangtse would have no veneration without reference to Tibetan prince Tsangma. He is revered for his great contributions in maintaining the uncut clans and descendants throughout the places he visited. Historically, Tibetan prince Tsangma, grandson of King Thrisong Detsen and the eldest from three sons of King Sadnalegs was a towering figure in the history of Bhutan. After the demise of King Sangnalegs in 815 A.D, his younger son Thri Ralpachen was enthroned anew. Thri Ralpachen on other side could not reign because of chronic illness whereby opportunistic Langdarma overtook the power of his brother and succeeded the throne after subsequent death of his brother Ralpachen. There is no concrete written history about the death of Thri Ralpachen.  According to the most common Tibetan tradition, Ralpachen is said to have murdered by two pro-Bon ministers whose anti-Buddhist brother Langdarma enthroned himself as new king. There are contradictory facts about the death of Langdarma as other account suggests his death as an accidental case on the temple of Maldro. Since then Tibet was under the powerful reign of Langdarma, an anti-Buddhist king who ruled from 836 AD-842 AD. The eldest son Tsangma was a pious figure whom he thrived as monk despite tremors between Buddhist and follower of Bon (native Tibetan religion). He took Buddhist vows and rigorously practiced Buddhism. People say that Bon followers bribed renowned astrologer of the country to foretell that if prince Tsangma were to reside in Tibet, unstoppable disaster would occur in the country. Statement was a form of blasphemy that obliged prince to flee Tibet.  Langdarma strongly driven by evils and as follower of Bon, demolished monasteries, religious institutes, banned Buddhism, and finally banished his brother Tsangma. This split Tibetan’s intact monarchy wherein conflicts arose in between the supporters of Buddhism and Bon tradition. Internal conflict among the imperial family of Tibet gave escalating foundation to the future of Bhutan. It is because of Prince Tsangma who fled Tibet, led many ruling clans and noble descendants and occupied different hamlets throughout Bhutan after 8^th century. There is no concrete consensus about his exile to Bhutan, but Prince became epitome progenitor of five most important local ruling clans and marked the spread of Buddhism in eastern Bhutan. Dialect used by the direct descendants of exiled Tibetan prince Tsangma is known as Tsangla. Tsangla gained its popularity and commonly used by inhabitants of eastern region and the name Sharchop or Sharchopa Kha (dialect spoken by easterner).  His descendent eventually expanded throughout Bhutan along with numerous legacies from which Bhutan’s Royal Family claims to be descendent of exiled Tibetan prince Tsangma.

The book, ‘The Clear Lamp Which Illuminates the History of Royal Clans’ reveals prince Tsangma’s itinerary to Bhutan via Chumbi valley along with five attendants. His sexual engagement with a lady from Namthong Karpo, Paro gave birth to a son. He resumed his traverse towards east through Thimphu and Punakha valleys, then entered Khothagkha and crossed the mountain ranges of Mangdechu. He successively trailed downstream route towards Kheng region and finally ventured Kurichu valley. At Kurichu valley, he could not continue his journey for there was no bridge across the river and obstructed his procession. Prince Tsangma had strong desire to explore more places and thereupon made a wish to help him cross the river. Coincidentally, a tree fell over the river fulfilled his wish and thus, continued travelling towards eastern region through Ngatshang, Waeyung, Halong and then to Jamkhar. He spent some time at Mi-Zimpa now known as Jamkhar and even built a castle as his residence. Since the place was not suitable for him to settle, he moved to La-Og-Yulsum (Arunachal Pradesh). Arunachal Pradesh being adjacent to Tibet and to distance himself from Imperial tremors, he further travelled west and reached Tsenkhar where he decided the place to be favorable for his settlement. Tsenkhar became his chief residential place thereby he visited different places around Trashi Yangtse and spread noble clans.