ZUTHRUL PHUG

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Situated to the west-south-west of Kailash, Zuthrul Phug or -Miracle Cave- is one of the results from the mythological contest between the Bön priest Naro Bönchung and Jetsün Milarepa, the latter of which left various prints of his hands, feet and head upon the rock forming the roof.SHERRING (1906: 278-281) reports the monastery of Zutulphu (Jamdulphu of the maps) to be under the administration of Bhutan by the Darchan ruler (titled Dashok), and gives a summary of the legendary contest associated with this cave. The pilgrims are said to usually arrive from Nendiphu (–>Nyenri) via Dediphu (–>Drira Phug) and Gaurikund. HEDIN (1909-1912 reproduced 1991, 2: 203) missed the cave: Tsumtul-pu … had no other curiosity but a statue of Duk Ngavang Gyamtso, 5 feet high, sitting as at a writing desk, two not very large elephant's tusks, and a five-branched chandelier from Lhasa. TUCCI (1937) found the gompa at Zutrul Phug a modest building of relatively recent origin. It contained a stucco state of Milarepa, who was posed in characteristic fashion, hand to ear, singing a song. Silver lamps and votive objects had been placed upon the adjacent altar; also bronce and copper goblets, which the monks changed religiously every day.GANSSER & HEIM (1939) visited the area in August 1936 to find unoccupied hermit caves excvated in the cliffs nearby (A photo is given by Snelling 1990: 359).PRANAVANANDA (1949: 128 note 1): In the cave of the [Zuthul] monastery there are the images of …Milarepa and other deities and two elephant tusks, which are smaller tha those on Nyanri Gompa. Situated just outside the cave and on the right side of the duvang, there is the idol of Ngava Nangyal and on the left side a seven foot four-sided stone beam, said to be the stick of Milarepa.HOFFMANN (alias Anagorika Govinda, e.g. 1960) regards the Zutrul Phug to be most strongly connected with Milarepa due to a footprint in the rock of the roof. Legend has it that when Milarepa first went to live in the cave he found it too low and cramped, so he used his occult power to raise the ceiling. Not knowing the full extend of that power, he pushed too hard and in consequence made the cave too large and draughty, so he had to go above and press it down again, until it was just right for comfort. STOLL (1966: 163): Das Kloster Zuprul… wurde über der Grotte erbaut, in welcher Mi-la ras-pa … [indicated by Manfred Moser]. STEIN (1988): Situated to the east of Mount Kailash / Tisi.SNELLING (1990) gives photos on pages 33-34.