Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye facts for kids
Tenzin Rabgye (born 1638, died 1696) was an important leader in Bhutan. He was the fourth Druk Desi, which means he was the main secular (non-religious) ruler of Bhutan. He led the country from 1680 to 1694.
Contents
Who Was Tenzin Rabgye?
Tenzin Rabgye was born in 1638 AD. His parents were Tshewang Tenzin and Damchoe Tenzima. His mother was the daughter of the Lama of Chang Gangkha.
Early Life and Learning
From a very young age, Tenzin Rabgye received special religious training. He learned about the Drukpa Lineage tradition. His teachers included Shabdrung and Damchoe Gyeltshe. He became very skilled in these teachings.
Becoming a Leader
Tenzin Rabgye became the fourth Druk Desi when he was 31 years old. He also became the fourth Desi again at the age of 43. As a leader, he did a great job of ruling Bhutan. He followed both spiritual (religious) and temporal (non-religious) laws.
Tenzin Rabgye's Contributions
Tenzin Rabgye made several lasting contributions to Bhutan. He helped shape the country's culture and traditions.
The Thirteen Arts of Bhutan
Tenzin Rabgye is famous for being the first to formally list the zorig chusum. This term means "the thirteen traditional arts of Bhutan." These arts include things like painting, sculpting, carpentry, and weaving. They are a big part of Bhutanese culture.
Renovating Tango Monastery
In 1688, Tenzin Rabgye helped renovate Tango Monastery. This important monastery is about 14 kilometers from Thimphu, the capital city. Renovating it helped preserve a key religious site.
Founding Taktsang Lhakhang
In 1692, Tenzin Rabgye visited a sacred cave called Taktsang Pelphug. This happened during the Tsechu season, which is a big festival. He decided to build a temple there. This temple was dedicated to Padmasambhava, a very important figure in Buddhism. The temple is known today as Taktsang Lhakhang. It is also called the Temple of the Guru with Eight Names. The construction of this temple was finished in 1694.
