Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal - From Tibet To Bhutan

From Tibet To Bhutan

However following a misunderstanding Shabdrung Rinpoche and his party had with an important Karma Kagyu lama, Pawo Tsugla Gyatsho, the Tsang Desi demanded compensation be paid and that the sacred religious relics of Ralung such as the Rangjung Kharsapani should be surrendered to him so they could be given to the rival Gyalwang Drukchen incarnate Gyalwa Pagsam Wangpo.

The Tsang Desi prepared to send covert armed guards to arrest Shabdrung Rinpoche and enforce his demands. In 1616 facing arrest, and following visions (in which it is said that the chief guardian deities of Bhutan offered him a home) Shabdrung Ngawang Namgayal left Tibet to establish a new base in western Bhutan, founding Cheri Monastery at the head of Thimphu valley.

In 1627 he built Simtokha Dzong at the entrance to Thimphu valley. From this dzong he could exert control over traffic between the powerful Paro valley to the west and Trongsa valley to the east.