Following the Footsteps of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok: A 15-Day Pilgrimage through Bhutan

From 2 to 16 May 2026, a pilgrimage group led by Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche undertook a fifteen-day sacred journey through Bhutan. The pilgrimage followed the path of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok’s 1990 visit to Bhutan and included important monasteries, dzongs, pilgrimage sites, and places of practice throughout Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Trongsa, Bumthang, and Punakha. The journey began at Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, one of the ancient temples traditionally attributed to the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. There, the group made lamp offerings, performed tsok, offered prostrations, and made aspiration prayers. They also recalled the profound connection between this sacred place and H.H. Jigme Phuntsok, who was respectfully welcomed by the Bhutanese royal family during his journey to Bhutan and offered teachings and prayers for the flourishing of the Dharma and the wellbeing of the country. The group then visited Dakarp, the National Memorial Chorten, Dochula Pass and its 108 stupas, Gangtey Monastery, Trongsa Dzong, and several mountain passes. Surrounded by prayer flags, stupas, forests, and valleys, participants prayed for world peace, the removal of obstacles, and the continued flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings. Bumthang formed the spiritual heart of the pilgrimage. The group visited Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Chakhar Lhakhang, Ta Rimochen, Mebar Tsho, Larung Choedey Pung Monastery, and Tharpaling Monastery. These sacred places are closely connected with Guru Padmasambhava, Yeshe Tsogyal, Pema Lingpa, Longchenpa, and many great treasure revealers and lineage masters. At these sites, the pilgrims made offerings, recited prayers, participated in tsok and smoke-offering practices, and followed places associated with H.H. Jigme Phuntsok’s earlier pilgrimage. In Punakha, the group visited Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, and the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. These places offered a deeper understanding of how Buddhism is woven into Bhutan’s history, architecture, government, and everyday life. On the return journey towards Paro, the group also participated in a large fire offering and tsok ceremony for world peace at the Buddha Dordenma statue in Thimphu and visited Tachog Lhakhang and its iron bridge, associated with the great siddha Thangtong Gyalpo. The pilgrimage reached its culmination at Paro Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The group climbed the mountain path to the cliffside sanctuary where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated and manifested as the wrathful Dorje Drolö in order to subdue obstacles. There, the pilgrims gathered the faith, repentance, rejoicing, and aspirations cultivated throughout the journey and dedicated them before the sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche. In preparation for this visit, Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche had also compassionately bestowed the empowerment of Dorje Drolö, creating auspicious conditions for the removal of obstacles, the protection of practice, and the accomplishment of virtuous activities. This pilgrimage was not merely a journey through external sacred places. It was also an opportunity to turn inward, remember the lineage masters, renew bodhicitta, and integrate Dharma practice into daily life. Every prostration, lamp offering, circumambulation, prayer, teaching, act of service, and moment of mutual care became a condition for purifying obscurations and accumulating merit and wisdom. May all virtue arising from the prostrations, offerings, lamp offerings, circumambulations, recitations, rejoicing, and aspiration prayers made during this Bhutan pilgrimage be dedicated to the long lives of the teachers, the continual turning of the Dharma wheel, the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings, world peace, and the freedom of all beings from suffering. May every participant carry the faith and purity inspired by these sacred places into daily life, protecting the lineage, supporting the Dharma, and benefiting all sentient beings