The Sacred Jabdo Goenpa

Mountainous Paro valley is in the heart of Bhutan ; where the only international airport of the country is located. Driving towards the capital city of Bhutan ,the magnificent valley of Shaba befalls. As we proceed through the national highway ，up towards the right side is where we can see the prepossessing view of “ Jabdo Goenpa “. Which means the temple is unreservedly biased from the cliff , coinciding stories which steer back to the 13th century when Bhutan was ruled by the constitution of local leaders called Poenlops.

Jabdo Goenpa is believed to be a sacred abode for one of the Guru among those nine other statues sculptured by one of the former Buddhist practitioners called Pentsi Dew.

It resembles the ethical Buddhist religion being carried out for ages.

Back in 13th century the only Guru statue of Jabdo Goenpa has been abducted by Paro Poenlop. For they need it as a jewel to the shrine of Paro Dzong. Phajo Tenzin could do nothing then to let it be taken despite his grief. As the statue was the precious Gem not only for Jabdo Goenpa but for him as well. Phajo Tenzin was the son of late lam sangay. He was bought up by his father at Jabdo goenpa, who enrolled him in the monastry from a very young age. He was the successor of Jabdo goenpa after the death of his father to those days .

After the Guru statue has been brought to the Dzong, they retained it inside the shrine facing towards east . Every morning the monks would take turns to make a water offering . But the very next morning they would always find the statue with a vary position, they will find it facing west regardless. They informed the Poenlop about the transmute. The Poenlop did not believe what he heard and restrained himself so the following days he made the offerings by himself. To the surprise it happened the same.

The Poenlop found out the statue facing west the next morning despite having the access only to himself. He was quite distraught , he believed it to be an ill omen so his command was to remove the statue from the shrine and place it under the staircase.

The very next day he made an announcement to the local people to come and fetch the statue from the Dzong if anyone is in need of it . Right after Phajo Tenzin of Jabdo Goenpa gets the message, he whisked towards the Dzong for he believed in getting back of his own figurine. Later that afternoon when he arrived, he gained access to the gate. Few minutes to the staircase , he stopped and speculated about the statue all by oneself. Wondering where could it be , right there he heard his statue behind the the staircase declaring his whereabouts. It is believed that the Guru statue of Jabdo Goenpa is known for having a different design found in sculptures. Different from the normal Guru statues for once before having spoken in Paro Dzong ,it is also believed that the statue while being moulded by their master Pentsi Dew. He adjured if nine of them can persist in what he has been practicing after his final exit. The nine Guru statues including the one of Jabdo Goenpa therefore inclined with an intensifying affirmation. So these nine Guru statues of Pentsi dew are said to be found in different sculpture for they have nodded with yes to their master , their facial sculptures were to be found in a little tilt.

Well the next following day, Phajo Tenzin situated the statue back to Jabdo Goenpa.

To his surprise few local men compelled to have the statue by themselves.quite a number of men tried transporting the statue. Despite Phajo Tenzin alone carried the Guru statue all the way from Dzong to his temple , the local men numbering in eleven could not move an inch of the statue when they tried transporting. The miracle therefore amended those men, not only to this miracle but also the Guru statue has articulated for the third time stating Jabdo Goenpa to be his destined abode and that is where he wish to remain.

It is believed that the statue is prophesied to be articulating in near future. This makes Jabdo Goenpa still as sacred as it was back in 13th century.

The temple now consists of a small nunnery looked after by Lam Penjore , who is the only inherit of the great ancestor Phajo tenzin. The interior design of the temple impresses with its beauty of ancient wall paints (Thangkas). There is also a small cave right beneath the walls, which is easy to access. The cave where Guru is believed to have contemplated. The refined architectural appearance of the temple is shaped in the best tradition of buddhist. The complex has white building with red roof. It consists of the one main temple and several dwellings including a tea house. The temple is interconnected by an ancient staircase of Buddhist. Almost every single building of the temple complex has a balcony with a breathtaking view of entire valley. Surrounding majestic mountains and emerald green valley of Shaba.

It is accessible by two paths. one leading a trail passing through the cliff for an hour and the other is a farm road of twenty minutes . We can either hike or drive but the whole journey will be worth it . As Guru Rinpoche the precious master is the founder of Tibetean buddhism and the Buddha of our time !