TAK TSANG SENGE PHUG, Paro

Location

NOTE 1: »Guru Rimpoche [Padmasambhava] and other figures such as Ngawang Namgyal (the founder of the country of Bhutan) and Pema Lingpa have a variety of caves associated with them including Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest), Gom Kora, and Membartsho (Burning Lake; which is surrounded by small shelter caves) among many others« (ALL, GROVES & KAMBESIS 2005: 356). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 09/02/2016

Perched high up in a vertical granite cliff above the eastern (orographically left) bank of Paro (sPa gro) valley, the monastery of Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) is nestled amidst a set rock shelters and a shallow cave or »shelter cave« (ALL et al. 2005: 356), which is said to have been blessed by Padmasambhava, the sage who brought Buddhism into Tibet in the 9th century (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: So far, I saw the Tibetan name of the »Tiger's Nest« at Paro transcribed or transliterated, edited and printed as to be completed Taktshang ALL, GROVES & KAMBESIS (2005: 356) Ta Tsang STEIN (1988) Ta Tshang WHITE (1909 edited 1994: 216-218) sTag tshangCULTURAL HISTORY: The Tiger's Nest is one of the most spectacular sites in the Himalaya, the most sacred of the Bhutanese monasteries and the centre-piece of Bhutanese tourism, although the monastery itself had been closed for tourist these past few years and was only accessible to native pilgrims.It is said that when Padmasambhava, visited the Paro valley, he transformed himself into the wrathful form of Dorje Drollo (one of the eight aspects in which Padmasambhava appeared at at various times of his life) and, riding upon a tigress, flew up to a cave high on the cliffside. There he imparted his teachings and initiations to several of his closet disciples and additionally conceded many of his gTerma (spiritual treasures) which were meant to be rediscovered and spread at appropriate times in history to benefit beings according to their needs.It was in the 17th century that Tenzin Rabgye, a remarkable teacher, went on to built several wood and stone temples that hang almost miraculously on the cliff face and mark the site where the sacred cave lies. On Sunday evening of 19 April 1998 the monastery burned down. Some commented »Fortunately Bhutan has lots of other monasteries« (TERRIBLE OMEN … 1998) while Ricard Matthieu arrived at understanding that »the monument has been engulfed by the flames of impermanence« (HERITAGE IN FLAMES 1998). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1909: »One of the holiest monasteries of Bhutan [is] … situated on the opposite side of the valley, about 100 m up. The road was reportedly bad, and I was glad I had not brought my own animals … The road to the top was very steep, with frozen slippery patches where it was shady and very hot in the sun. It ran in one place in a narrow path across a precipice, with a tremendous drop below, and in another become a series of steep stone steps. On reaching the top of the ridge we first came in sight of the monastery buildings, grouped on an almost perpendicular hillside in the most picturesque manner. The main temple is erected on what is practically a crack in a perpendicular rock over 600 m in height, and along the crack there are a few more subsidiary buildings. We appeared to be very close, but we were really separated from the buildings by an almost inaccessible gorge. The only approach was by a narrow path or series of steps, … across a plank bridge [300 m to the bottom], and then up another series of little steps cut in the rock… The most holy shrine, the sanctuary round which all the other buildings have sprung up, was situated in a cave. The cave is not large, and in it was a gilded chorten filled with small images of Buddha in copper-gilt …In the centre of the gorge, perched upon a tiny ledge, there was a hermit's dwelling, which could only be reached by climbing a perpendicular notched pole about 12 m high …« (WHITE, J-C 1909: 216-218). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1909: Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years in this cave with wall paintings at the border of the fortified monastery of Ta Tsang, called Tiger's Nest (STEIN, R A 1988).CAVE DESCRIPTION 1996: »Towering mountain clad in a virgin forest / Your peak, majestic in its snowy turban, stretches to the skies / Your chest is draped with silvery scarves of mist / How happy the carefree yogi who lets go of this life's affairs!« (MATTHIEU, R 1996 after KHYENTSE RINPOCHE). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 09/02/2016