Autsho Chorten

 

 

§  Local Name; Autsho Jangchub Choeten/Chorten jigbala(big stupa in local term)

§  Date of Construction; late 1970s

§  Category; Heritage sites – stupa/Chorten

§  Geographical Location; Autsho, Tshenkhar Gewog, Lhuntse District

 

 

Description

Chorten was sited at the point where three mountains and three rivers meet together where Bhutanese believe as sa tshubdra(hunted place). Choeten was constructed just beside the Lhuentse-Monger highway and it is entry points to the beautiful Autsho hamlet. The Chorten plays a vital role in the Bhutanese society, and it falls under one of the eight stupas of Buddha. The stupa of enlightenment or Jangchub Chorten, which is relating to the life of Buddha.

 

History

Chorten was built under the prophecy of Lama Sonam Zangpo. Who was the direct disciple of Drubwang Shakya Shri of Tibet. The local people say that Choeten was prophesied when a lama came in exile from Tibet, Later lama went to Yongla Gonpa. The Chorten was constructed under the supervision of Dhramthang Lama Kuenzang Phuntsho in the late 1970s. Later in the early 2000’s current Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choda’s father Yab Rinzin Dorji constructed 108 mini Choeten around the main stupa. According to the local people, the location of this Chorten was actually at another side of Kurichu River where kurichu and Ladrong Chu meets. Later they have change location to prevent from flesh flood and to rise from ground level. In 2020, with the help of local people and BPC services man, they have successfully installed lighting systems in and around Choeten which takes place more striking.

 

Architectural style

The main Choeten structured with traditional masonry skills by using mud and stone. The stupa has resembled royal memorial stupa of Thimphu. The main Stupa was rounded by 108 small stupas and one small room to make an offering during auspicious days. Chorten was approximately 14-15 meters tall.

Origination of such stupa goes back to the life of Buddha. It is also known as the "Stupa of the Conquest of Mara", this stupa signifies the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he conquered worldly temptations and attacks, manifesting in the form of Mara. Such type of Choeten was first built in Varanasi in India after the Buddha’s enlightenment.

 

Religious and Cultural Function

 

In the earlier days, they used to perform annual rituals call Tshogkhor every year to bring peace and harmony in the world. Tshogkhor is performed for two to three days with the patroonship of locality. However, such culture didn’t last long due budget shortage problem that came out between one of the Tsipa (local Astrologer) and locality. They said that such type of good culture might be still practicing if such a problem didn’t come up. The reason might be few people have misused the budget for the construction of a new temple near Chorten. The Chorten has become a source of accumulating merit and circumambulating every day.

Informants

1.      Lopen Kezang, retired school teacher, Autsho, Tshhenkhar, Lhuntse.

2.      Meme Pema, businessman,Autsho,Tshenkhar,Lhuntse.

3.      Aum Jungchub Choden, local resident,Autsho,Tshenkhar,Lhuntse.

Researcher

Tenzin Rabgay, Student, College of Language and Culture Studies, Royal University of Bhutan, 2020