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According to
legend, in the 8th century CE, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava
or second Buddha) made his legendary trip from Tibet to Bhutan
on the back of a flying tigress to subdue the evil spirits
who hindered Buddhism. An after defeating them, he blessed
them as guardians of the doctrine. Introducing Tantric Buddhism
to Bhutan. Takshang or Tigers Nest in the Paro Valley is where
he landed and remains one of most sacred places in Bhutan.
It is believed that the name Bhutan is derived from the Sanskrit
'Bhotant', meaning 'the end of Tibet', or from 'Bhu-uttan',
meaning 'high land'. Historically the Bhutanese have refered
to their country as Druk Yul, 'land of the thunder dragon'.
Bhutanese refer to themselves as Drukpa people.
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Guru Rinpoche
(Precious Master) is the father of the Drukpa Kagyu school
of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism practiced in Bhutan. Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal, a Tibetan lama of the Drukpa School, arrived
in Bhutan in 1616 BC.
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He introduced the present dual system of religious
and secular government, creating and building
the system of Dzongs through out Bhutan. Shabdrung
unified the country, and established himself as
the country's supreme leader and vested civil
power in a high officer known as the Druk Desi.
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Religious
affairs were charged to another leader, the Je Khenpo
(Chief Abbot of Bhutan).
For two centuries following Shabdrung's demise,
civil wars intermittently broke out, and the regional
Penlops (governors) became increasingly more powerful.
This ended when an assembly of representatives of
the monastic community, civil servants and the people,
elected the Penlop of Trongsa, Ugen Wangchuck, the
First King of Bhutan in 1907. The monarchy has thrived
ever since, and the present Fourth King, His Majesty
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, commands the overwhelming
support for his people.
Since 1968 Bhutan is independent and from the 12th.
March 1992 became a republic state.
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