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Literature on Bhutan in LTWA*

Lobsang Shastri

BACKGROUND

For centuries, monks from the outlying areas of Tibet and neighbouring Buddhist

countries and region came to the renowned monasteries of central Tibet for

furthering their knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and other traditional sciences.

After completion of their studies, they returned and played a crucial role in

spreading Tibetan religion and literature in their respective region. However, theliterature written or published from their respective places rarely circulated in

central Tibet and Khams.

Contrary to this, the movement of scholars across Tibet has made a great impact

in spreading literature as well as transmission lineages. For instance during the

12th century, Pha jo brug sgom zhig po who was born in Mdo Khams Bkra shis

sgang in 1179, introduced the Brug pa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan.1

The first Gnas rnying bla ma Dkon mchog mkhars descendant Bka bzhi rin chen

bsam gtan visited Bhutan, established many monasteries and helped in settling

disputes. His descendent Jam dbyangs rin chen rgyal mtshan, the guru of Red

mda ba and Tsong kha pa helped in establishing monasteries such as Rta ra kha,

Sa dmar rdzing kha, Na zhing ra ma, Phu gdugs, and Skyabs Khra of Gnas rnying

tradition.2

Ba ra ba Rgyal mtshan dpal bzang (1310-1391) visited Bhutan during the

civil war of Dbus and Gtsang. He made great contribution in spreading Buddhism

and Ba ra Bka brgyud tradition in Bhutan. Grub chen lcags zam pa Thang stongrgyal po (1385-1464) introduced the Shangs pa bka brgyud tradition of Tibetan

Buddhism in Bhutan.

Phan yul pa Dpal ldan rdo rje, the disciple of Tsong kha pa (1357-1417)

established Shing rta monastery and in 15th century Blo bzang bstan pai sgron

me, the disciple of the First Dalai Lama also established few monasteries in

eastern Bhutan. The monasteries mentioned above however belonged to the Dge

lugs pa school but they could not flourish for long.

* Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, Kangra. HP. India.

This paper was presented during the international conference on Written

Treasures of Bhutan: Mirror of the Past and Bridge to the Future, 27 May-6

June, 2005 organized by the National Library of Bhutan, thimphu, Bhutan.

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4 TIBET JOURNAL

In 15th century, Ka thog sprul sku Bsod nams rgyal mtshan (1466-1540)

introduced the Ka thog pa tradition in Bhutan. The famed master of Brug pa Bka

brgyud tradition Rgyal dbang kun dga dpal byor (1428-1476) of Rwa lung stag

tshang kha was active in spreading Buddhist teaching in Bhutan, spending a number

of years in the Bum thang area.3

Gtsang mkhan chen Jam dbyangs dpal ldan rgya mtsho (1610-1684) a Tibetan

prelate who was a close associate of the First Zhabs drung Ngag dbang rnam

rgyal (1594-1651) also visited Bhutan. His most famous contribution to

Bhutanese studies is the biography of Zhabs drung Ngag dbang rnam rgyal.4

Grags pa rgya mtsho alias Sangs rgyas grags pa (1646-1719), the famous disciple

of Gtsang mkhan chen was a renowned artist and responsible for the creation ofthe first great applique thangka of Punakha, the Gos sku mthong ba chen mo

(mthong ba rang drol), commissioned between 1689-1692. He founded the great

temple of Stag tshang dpal phug and was active at Smad chui nang, the seat of

Gtsang mkhan chen and Spa gro Rin chen spungs. Later he proceeded to Gdung

and Rgya bar nang. He founded the monastery of Rgya bar Gzhan phan byang

chub gling.5

On the whole, Rgyal ba lha nang pa, Klong chen dri med od zer, Lo ras pa

dbang phyug brtson grus, Ba ra ba rgyal mtshan dpal bzang and Brug pa kun legs

were the founding figures of Bhutan. It is certain that above scholar had played a

vital role in spreading the literary transmission. Some of the writings of above

scholars must have composed in Bhutan. The number of literature written by

them is yet to be examined.

Rwa lung in Central Tibet was well known for the seat of learning for Brug pa

tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Bhutanese scholar lamas across the centuries

visited and studied in this seat of learning. This subject is yet to be explored but

to give few examples: Zhabs drung Ngag dbang rnam rgyal, 9th Rje mkhan po

Shakya Rin chen (1710-1759) and 12th Rje mkhan po Kun dga rgyal mtshan

visited Central Tibet for learning. The 13th Rje mkhan po Yon tan mtha yas (1724-

1784) also visited who was a contemporary of Ka thog Rig dzin tshe dbang nor

bu. He is said to have studied at Bras spung monastery. Mkhan chen pad dkar

byung gnas also visited and studied in Central Tibet.

Literature on Bhutanese Studies

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archive (LTWA) was conceived of and founded

by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on11th June 1970 and is one of the finest

examples of His Holiness the Dalai Lamas efforts to preserve and disseminate

the Tibetan cultural heritage. LTWA is the most important repository for Tibetan

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LITERATUREON BHUTANIN LTWA 5

manuscript and is an international center for the study of Tibetan culture. It has

no doubt acquired a worldwide reputation as a centre for Tibetology and Buddhist-

Himalayan studies. It houses more than 80,000 manuscript/books (title wise)

and more than 10,000 books on Tibetan and Trans-Himalayan studies in English

and European languages.

Manuscripts of major and minor works belongings to all four traditions of

Tibetan Buddhism, with the pre-Buddhist or Bon constitute the core collection.

Five different editions of the Bka gyur and Bstan gyur (Buddhist Tripika)

Narthang, Peking, Derge, Lhasa and Cone (in microfilm) are to be found in the

Librarys collection. Rarest of all, is a handwritten set of Bka gyur from Phugdrak

monastery (17th cen)7

in west Tibet. This is the only Bka gyur of its kind in theworld. To name only a few, there are 16 volumes of handwritten manuscript of

Bum from the monastery of Phugdrak, 16 volumes of handwritten manuscripts

of Bum commissioned by Tsagtra, chieftain of eastern Kongpo during the 15th

century (approximately), and a handwritten manuscript of Gnyal zhing jam dpal

rdo rjes Mngon rtogs gyi grel bshad a commentary on prajnaparamita teaching,

claimed to be written in 13th century and which is listed in Akhu ching Shes rab

rgya mtshos (1803-1875) rare text list.8 These are just a few examples of

numerous rare works of great scholastic value received and preserved by LTWA.

Also of interest to historians, anthropologist and scholars of other disciplines,

the archival section of the LTWA now holds more than eight hundred documents

of a legal and social nature dating back to the 12th centuries A.D. This collection

contains government proclamations, official edicts, marriage and land contracts,

letters of notable individuals, revenue transactions, court cases and so forth.

Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, although under much financial

constraints, not only engage in acquisition of literature on Tibetan studies but

also Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan literature which is closely interconnected.

The library has made an endeavour to acquire books on Bhutan, Nepal and Indian

Himalayan regions. Regarding literature on Bhutanese studies, the library has

the following collections: The collected gter ma discoveries of Padma gling pa

(1450-1521) in 7 volumes. This is a reproduction of a rare manuscript from

Manang that was published by Ngawang Topgyal.8 The library has not been able to

acquire the pothi form of Gter ston Padma ling pas gter ma texts. The Collected

writings of Rje Shakya rin chen (1710-1759), 5th Zhabs drung Jigs med nor bu,9

13th Rje mkhan po Yon tan mtha yas (1724-1784) and Dge bshes brag phug Dge

dun rin chen are also in its possession.

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The library also has two photocopies of Gdung rabs nges gsal sgron me,10 one

of the most important sources on the history of Bhutan. One copy was acquired

sometime in 1980s and the other one in September 1990. The photocopy was

made from northeastern region of India. The manuscript has 50 folios and is in

dbu can script. It was authored by Bande Wagindra of the Byar clan, considered

the descendent of the nephew of Lha sras gtsang ma known as Kha gling gi rgyal

rigs lha btsun Ngag dbang phun tshogs.11 LTWA also holds the same Gdung rabs

which has been reprinted from TAR in 1988 titled as Rje bangs rnams kyi rigs

rus kyi byung khungs gsal bai sgron me zhes bya ba.12 It has Brug dkar po by

Slob dpon gnag mdog,13 the History of Bhutan by Slob dpon padma tshe dbang14

and one of the important lineage account -Brug gi smyos rabs by Bla ma gsangsngags.15

The library has the Brug edition of Lhoi chos byung16, the life of Zabs drung

Rinpoche Ngag dbang rnam rgyal (1594-1651) along with supplements to the

history of Brug pa bka brgyud pa tradition, written in 1731-59, and Sgrub sde

nges don zung jug grub pai dga tshal edition of Religious History of Bhutan by

Dge bshes brag phug pa Dge dun rin chen.17

The collection of LTWA also includes the Biography of Bstan dzin chos rgyal

(1700-1767), 10th rje mkhan po of Bhutan18, biography of first Zhabs drung

Rinpoche of Bhutan, Ngag dbang rnam rgyal alias Ngag dbang bdud joms rdo rje

(1594-1651)20, biography of Zhabs drung written by Gtsang mkhan chen jam

dbyangs dpal ldan rgya mtsho- c.1800 Punakha blocks preserved in the Beling

monastery in Lahual,20 the gter ma biography of Pha jo brug sgom zhig po (1162-

1251),21 blockprint, 44 folios, 1580?, and the biography of 18th Rje mkhan po

Jam dbyangs rgyal mtshan (1743-1802), written by third thugs sprul Jigs med

grags pa (1791-1830).22

The biography of the 7th Rje mkhan po Ngag dbang phrin las (1671-1746),

the autobiography of the 12th Rje mkhan po Shes rab rgyal mtshan (1772-1847),

the biography of the 31st Rje mkhan po Yon tan rgyal mtshan (91804-1870).23

The life of 2nd Rje mkhan po Bsod nams od zer (1613-1689), the life of 2nd

Rgyal sras sprul sku Kun dga rgyal mtshan (1689-1713) and the life of Bya chu

dkar mo bla ma Ngag dbang pad dkar.24

The biography of Sgang steng sprul sku Bstan dzin legs pai don grub (1645-

1726?) and the biography of Mtshams brag bla ma Ngag dbang brug pa (1682-1748).25

Though not born in Bhutan, one of the best known smyon pa tradition Brug

smyon kun dga leg pas (1455-1529) activities are very closely associated with

Bhutan. Four copies of his autobiography and spiritual songs of Brug pa Kun

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dga legs pa, one of 1892 Gnyal driu lhai edition,26 another reproduced from Varanasi

in 2 volumes,27 and one Tibetan block print edition28 are preserved in the library.

Miscellaneous literature on Bhutan such as Brug gzhung cham gyi bshad pa

by Drag sho nag phel, Brug gi glu, Brug gi mi rig pa can padma tshe dbang bsri

dang sum dar bsri gnyis kyi blo.

There are 78 English titles on Bhutan in the foreign reference section of LTWA

and plus has of course acquired Brug a journal of Bhutan studies.

Old Document related to Bhutan

Prior to 2005, this library has not acquired any document related to Bhutan. In

2005 January 12th, this library acquired photocopies of 8 documents related tothe first Bhutanese King O rgyan dbang phyug (regn.1907-1926).

These are not original but photocopies acquired through Prof. Parshotam

Mehra, Chandigarh. All documents were sent or issued by the first King of Bhutan,

U rgyan dbang phyug to Colonel Younghusband. Eight documents are all in cursive

script. Written beautifully by hand in Uchen or Zongkha script, it seems that all

the letters were written by a single individual.

Two documents are without date, two were written in 1904, one in 1905, 1912,

1922 and 1924.

Of the two documents with no date, one mentions the Kings visit to Tibet with

Younghusband apparently in the year before the letter was written. The year of

the kings visit to Tibet is not available. However it was most probably in 1905.

And because of his help to Younghusband, he was able to have an audience with

the Prince and Viceroy of great Britain at Calcutta.29 One letter seems to be

issued in 1908 (?), which mentions Younghusband being granted the same title of

the King.30

One written in 1912 mention arrival of Captain Nobel to take photograph in

Bhutan.31

One written in 1922, mentions the king was rewarded with the K.C.S.I. title by

Bill Saheb (Sir Charles Bell ?) on behalf of British government.32

Among the eight letters, three are selected for my study this time.

I 1904 letter

The letter was send to the holder of five Shri, administrator of southern world,friend British governor/commander Colonel Younghusband by Dharma king of

Bhutan, the holder of five Shri from Bumthang Dechen Palace, Bhutan, in the

Wood Dragon (1904) Year on the 22nd day of the 2nd month.

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This letter mentions the Younghusbands expedition to Tibet. The King received

the full account of Younghusbands expedition. Thimphu district appraised the

matter clearly to Younghusband. As for negotiation, the Tibetans asked the British

to return to Yatung. Instead the expedition marched to Guru where battle was

fought and British soldier defeated the Tibetan soldier. He mentions not only

having good relations with British but also with Tibet. The king expressed his

concern of the suffering of ordinary Tibetans to Younghusband. He suggested

that instead of the minor officials, the senior officer would understand the

situation much better. In this matter, he had written to the Dalai Lama and was

awaiting a response. Regarding this matter, he had written that he would dispatch

his man. Kings role and sympathy to common Tibetan people is mentioned clearlyin this letter.33 He sends fruits along with this letter. Fruits include oranges, pears,

apricots, mangoes, potato, garlic, ginger, egg and one sack of rice.

From the letter we can draw conclusion that the first King of Bhutan U rgyan

dbang phyug through his friendly relation with Younghusband has played a key

role in diffusing a major tension and casualties during the Younghusband

expedition. He has also played a mediator role during the dispute between Tibet

and British, and finally he has made his utmost effort in bringing about peaceful

solution. On his skilful service, the Tibetan government granted him a hat and

shoe equal to his rank. However, he accepted only the hat.34

In this connection we must say that Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal have shown a

good neighbourly relation and tried to reach an amicable solution to the dispute

between Tibet and British. The account is well documented in Zhwa sgab pas

Srid don rgyal rabs,35 Slob dpon Nag mdogs Brug dkar po36 and Slob dpon Padma

tse dbangs Brug gsal bai sgron me.37

II 1905 letter

This letter was written in 1905. The letter was sent to friend Sir Francis

Younghusband, K.C.S.I., with Salam salutation by the holder of five Shri Thimphu

district magistrate, Bhutan in the year Wood Snake, 5th day of 5th month.

After the expedition, Younghusbands visit to Bihar is mentioned. The King

requested for field gun (bkrob mda) as was promised to him by the British India.

If the same is not possible, he asked for a double-barelled rifle. The visit of Bara

Saheb and other senior Saheb to Bhutan is also mentioned.38

III 1922 letter

The letter was sent to Colonel Younghusband by U rgyan dbang phyug, the throne

holder of Bhutan in 12th day of the 9th month of the Water Dog year, i.e. 1922.

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In this letter it mentions that returning from Lhasa, that means should be after

the expedition in 1904, the King thought of meeting Younghusband but he could

not catch him. He heard the news of Younghusbands ill health when he was in

Delhi. Although the King was offered many titles in the past, in 1922 he was

conferred the title of K.C.S.I. by the British government. Bill (Bell ?) Saheb

presented this title to the King on behalf of British India.39 This was sent from

the fort of Thimphu district.

Most of the letter, in the beginning line finds the word Saheb and in the end

Salam. The interesting point to note from these letters is that a few colonial

words were used frequently. For salutation such as Salam and Saheb, the word

originated from Urdu as the time India was under British Raj or rule. Otherwords like Sa dkar gzhung- mixture of Hindi and Tibetan meaning both

government, Ser gzhung rgyal khab chen po for great Britain. The five Shri title

used in the letter is a traditional title originated from India and continued during

the British rule in India.

In Bhutan, though both Krong sa dpon slob and Chos rtse dpon slob40 is being

used before ascending to the throne of King. However, in some of these eight

letters and in Tibetan literature the King is mentioned as Krong sa dpon slob. All

these eight letters indicate clearly that the King had a very intimate relation with

Colonel Younghusband.

Notes

1. Pha jo brug sgom zhig poi rnam thar thugs rjei chu rgyun, f.1, Mkan po Ye

she cho dar

2. Brug gsal bai sgron me, 89

3. A wa dhu ti pa Rin chen rnam rgyal, Dpal ldan bla ma dam pai mdzad pa rmaddu byung ba ngo mtshar bdud rtsii thigs pa, p. 7-67. In Collected Works of

Rgyal dbang kun dga dpal byor, Vol.1, Thimphu 1976

4. Dpal brug pa rin po che Ngag dbang bstan dzin rnam rgyal gyi rnam par thar

pa rgyas pa chos kyi spin chen poi dbyangs zhes bya ba las ring poi gleng

gzhi bzhugs, Delhi 1974

5. Autobiographies of Gtsang mkhan chen and Grags pa rgya mtsho, Vol. II,

p.357-569, Thimphu 1975

6. This set of handwritten Bka gyur was copied sometimes between 1696-

1706. For more detail see Jampa Samten, A Catalogue of the Phug brag

manuscript Kanjur, LTWA 1992.

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7. The collected Works of Akhu ching Shes rab rgya tsho, vol. 7, p. 406-525,

New Delhi 1974. See also Dr. Lokesh Chandra, Material for a History of

Tibetan Literatue, Part 3, No. 11517, New Delhi 1963.

8. Published by Ngawang Topgay, New Delhi 1977.

9. National Library of Bhutan

10. The title reads as Gangs can bod du rje rgyal gnya khri btsan/ Srong btsan

sgam po khri srong ldeu btsan dang/ Lho phyogs mon du lha sras gtsang ma

zhes/ Rnam par sprul pai skye mchog de rnams kyi/ Gong ma rjei gdungs

rabs byung khungs dang/ og ma bangs kyi mi rabs chad tshul sogs/ Nges

par gsal bai sgron ma zhes bya ba bzhugs so//.The eastern Bhutan copy is

titled as Sa skyong rgyal poi gdung rabs byung khungs dang bangs kyi mirabs chad tshul nges par gsal bai sgron me (short title: Rgyal rigs byung

khungs gsal bai sgron me). English translation by Michael Aris in Sources

for the History of Bhutan published by WIEN 1986. See also Michael Aris,

Bhutan: The Early History of a Himalayan Kingdom, England 1979.

11. In the colophone of text published from TAR 1988.

12. Bod kyi lo rgyus rig gnas dpyad gzhii rgyu cha bdams bsgrigs, No. 10, p. 87-

130, Mi rigs dpe skrun khang 1988. In the colophon it reads as Ces kha gling

gi rgyal rigs bslabs pa dzin pa mkyen pa la mi rmongs pai lha btsun ngag

dbang phun tshogs dang/ phyi tshang mong khar gyi rgyal rigs dpa mdzangs

brtul phod che zhing khungs btsun pai rgyal pos brtsams.

13. Brug rgyal khab kyi cho srid gnas stangs Brug dkar po, Bhutan 1986.

14. Brug gi rgyal rabs gsal bai sgron me, Bhutan 1994

15. Bla ma gsang sngags, Brug gi smyos rabs gsal bai me long, 1983.

16. Bstan dzin chos rgyal gro kun dga ba bshes gnyen ( 1700-1764), lhoi

chos byung bstan pa rin po chei phro mthud jam mgon smon mthai phreng

ba zhes bya ba/ gtso bor skyabs mgon rin po che rgyal sras ngag dbang rnam

rgyal gyi rnam thar kun gyi go bde gsal bar bkod pa bcas bzhugs so//, 151

folios

17. Dpal ldan brug pai gdul zhing lho phyogs nags moi ljongs kyi chos byung

blo gsar rna bai rgyan ces bya ba, p.383, LTWA. No. 2:26-1859.

18. Shakya ratna, Shakya rin chen (1710-1759), Pandita bstan dzin chos kyi

rgyal poi rtogs pa brjod pa sgyu ma chen poi gar stabs, Dpal rdo rje gdan

edition, 110 folios.19. Shakya rin chen dri med legs pai blo gros (1710-1759), Bkar rgyud kyi

rnam thar gser gyi phreng ba lta bu las dpal ldan bla ma mthu chen chos kyi

rgyal po ngag rnam rgyal bai skabs bzhugs so, Xylograhp, 39 folios.

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20. Dpal brug pa rin po che Ngag dbang rnam rgyal gyi rnam that rgyas pa chos

kyi sprin chen poi dbyangs, Topden Tsering, Delhi 1974

21. Pha brug sgom zhig poi rnam par thar pa thugs rje chu rgyun

22. Skyabs mgon rdo rje chang dbang ngag dbang jam dbyangs rgyal mtshan gyi

rnam par thar pa grub rigs bzhad pai rgyud mangs thugs rjes bskul bai chu

dzin khrigs pai rang sgra, brugs dgon mdo sde brag edition, 229 folios.

23. Biographies of thee Bhutanese prelates, Thimphu 1976

24. The lives of three Bhutanese religious masters, Thimphu 1976

25. Biographies of two Bhutanese lamas of the Padma glin pa tradition, Thimphu

1975

26. Rnal byor gyi min can kun dga legs pai rnam thar byung tshul lhug parsmras pa zhib moi rtsing ma ha le sna zin spu zin nas bkod pa ces bya ba,

Kargyud Sungrab Nyamso Khang, Delhi 1978.

27. Rnal byor gyi ming can kun dga legs pai nyams la shar bai phral gyi chos

spyod dra dang nyams char ci byung ma byung bris pa skyag gtad gang yang

med pa ga zhig bzhugs so, Varanasi 1972.

28. Rnal byor gyi dbang pyug chen po kun dga legs pai rnam thar gsang bum

rgya mtsho lta bu las dad pai ku shas chu thigs tsam blangs pa ngo mtshar

bdud rtsii zil mngar, block print, 70 folios.

29. LTWA old document No.882





34. Slob dpon padma Tse dbang, Brug gsal bai sgron me, p. 539. See also Brug

dkar po of Slob dpon Nag mdog. p. 193-200

35. Zhwa sgab pa dbang phyug bde ldan, Bod kyi srid don rgyal rabs, Vol. 2, p.

104, 112,113,126

36. Slob dpon Nag mdog, brug dkar po, p. 193-200

37. Slob dpon padma Tse dbang, Brug gsal bai sgron me, p. 534,539


39. LTWA old document No. 885

40. Slob dpon Padma tshe dbang, Brug gyi rgyal rabs brug gsal bai sgron me,

p. 537

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References

Aris, Michael. Sources for the History of Bhuatan, WIEN 1986

Bod kyi lo rgyus rig gnas dpyad gzhii rgyu cha bdams bsgrigs, No.10, Mi rigs

dpe skrun khang 1988

Chandra, Lokesh. Material for a History of Tibetan Literature, Part, No.11517,

New Delhi 1963

Dbang phyug bde ldan, Zhwa sgab pa. Gangs can bod chos srid gnyis ldan gyi

rgyal khab chen poi srid don gyi rgyal rabs gsal bar ston pa zla ba bum

phrag char bai rdzing bum blo gsar bung ba dga bai rol mtsho zhes bya ba,

Vol.II, 1976.

Dge dun rin chen, dge bshes brag phug pa. Dpal ldan brug pai gdul zhing lhophyogs nags moi ljongs kyi chos byung blo gsar rna bai rgyan ces bya ba,

Sgrub sde nges don zung jug grub pai dga tshal block prints.

LTWA Old document No. 882-889

Padma tshe dbang, Slob dpon. Brug gi rgyal rabs: Brug gsal bai sgron me,

Thimphu, Bhutan 1994

Samten, Jampa. A Catalogue of the Phug brag manuscript Kanjur, LTWA 1992

Slob dpon Nag mdog. Brug dkar po, Bhutan 1986

Shes rab rgya tsho, Akhu ching. The collected Works of Akhu ching Shes rab rgya

mtsho, Vol. 7, New Delhi 1974

Wagindra, Bande. Gangs can bod du rje rgyal gnya khri btsan/ Srong btsan sgam

po khri srong ldeu btsan dang/ Lho phyogs mon du lha sras gtsang ma zhes/

Rnam par sprul pai skye mchog de rnams kyi/ Gong ma rjei gdungs rabs

byung khungs dang/ og ma bangs kyi mi rabs chad tshul sogs/ Nges par

gsal bai sgron ma zhes bya ba bzhugs so (photocopy)

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Appendix I

{} ------xG-m-m-e-z-BP-z-IG-q--c-u-Ez-;-m-P---m--z-GP-G-xG- ---- G-j---m--z h-mP-IG-q-Zh-P---h;m-VG-G-fG-X--+-D-S-zm-zG-h-q-G--V h-IG-q-m-f-P--G-q-hm -G-z-G-hP. zh-xG-hm-GTh- -G-G-hq-i-zT-GmP-z-Z-h--z-FG-G-+-G-G-mP-hP-P-h-q--h-f-P-m- P-z-G--h-q-hP. h-e-VP-h-+-Eh-IG-q-G-m-z-fh-G-q-GP-hG- P. N-+-eh----G-m- VP-h-z -hG-m-h-e-GZ-GhP--G h-m-IG-V-h- -fG-zTh- zh-hh-q- f-P-P-fz-h- --G-hG-P-z h-IG-q--z-n-P. P-fP-D-G-m-

P-P. zh--l-Vh-G-P-mh-

h-q- fG--ZP-e--mP--K---zh-q---hG--n-hP-hG-FG-Mz-hG-P-z IG-q-D-zT-M-D-fz-hG- -z-P-P--hG-P-h-q-hP. h-hP-x-G-hP-h;-G-TG-zG-q--h zh-GP-hP-m-P---Z--fG-q- +z---z-Eh-P-P--M-M-h-h--hG-q-G-hP. zh-xG---n-P-zkz-G-

kG-P-V--hG-q-G-P-m- VP-h-+-w-mP---G--->G-D--Zm-P-GP--G-m-Gm-WG--P- h-m-zh-GP-M-hzP-m-q-V--G-G-GTG-w-zbP-h-q m-G-w-h--h IG-q----zbP-P. h-z-IG-q- P-fG-P--h-q-hP. h--h-m----e-z-hzP-

G-IG-q--GP-P-GmP-fz-

-P. P-fG-G--z--G-hP. J-D

- B-z K-q -K KP-P. ~--h-GTG-zT-w-h-q-h-hP-IG-q--z-hP-h-z-wm-m---GZ-q-h-G-GP-h-zG-q- GP--

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hm-G-hP-P-G-I--Vh-q-w-w-GmP-fz-h-q-hP. h-G-GP-

m-z-hG--h-P-h-z--GP-P-zbP-hG-q-fG--

h T-dm--F-w-Dz m-q-zT P-G-- 2 - 22 G-tP-fP-zh-Vm-w-P-m-w

(Translation)

My friend Colonel Younghusband, who holds five shri, administrator of southern

world:

I am very glad to know that you are fine as before by the grace of gods and lamas.

I have received your letter and a copy of report on your expedition to Tibet through

the Thimphu district officer (thim rdzong). You have written in detail about the

cause of the dispute, and the Thimphu delegates also have explained to me the

matter in detail. Although you had proposed continuously for negotiation, the

minor officials (of Tibet) had told you that the mission should return to Yatung

to conduct negotiation, without which it was impossible to hold negotiation.

The delegation from Thimpu had no option but to return. Since no fully authorized

Tibetan representatives arrived there, you and your officers had to remain on thenorthern plains for many days. When you advanced to Guru from We, you had to

confront a Tibetan force. I was very happy to hear that you had won the battle.

Bhutan not only shares amicable relations with the British government but also

shares the same border with the Tibetan government. Therefore, I wish that you

officers do not have to face difficulties and wastage of resources, and the people

of Tibet do not have to undergo sufferings. Regarding the negotiation, although

lower officials might not listen, I feel that higher officials would be more

receptive. We have sent a letter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama but we have not

received a reply. They might send someone to you. Till then do not worry. From

our side, we have not been able to do anything except sending our salam

(salutation) to you. We are sending oranges, pears, apricots, mangoes, potatoes, garlic,

ginger, eggs and one sack of rice to you. Our relationship and commitment is sincere

for all time. Hope our correspondence will continue without any break. If there is

anything that the government of Bhutan can do, please do inform me.

I am sending you a shawl ofyas khracloth and sman pem as a present with the letter.

From Dharma Raja of Bhutan, Bumthang Dechen Palace, Bhutan, on the 22nd

day of the 2nd month of the Wood-Dragon Year).

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Appendix II

{} -----P- -IG-q-Vm-q-;-m-P---m-GP-G-+-iP-h

G-M-m-q--Mm-hzP-xG-m---zT--z hP-+---oP-G-P- h-q-G -h-y-zG-m-z=m-V h-P-P-S-zm-Gm -h-m-hP-Sm-IG-VG-zh-xG---hm--Vz-zBh-+z--W-P-P- -fh--z=m-GP-z-Vm-q-zBP-q-m-TP. h-h---m--wz-+z-M--m-GTG-W-P-- P. wz-X-- m-q---fz-q-P-P--w-Vm-q-P-h h--P-P-i-m-zT-+z-IG-q-VG-+-D--zh-z-zG-h--f-q--M-G-w-z-m-mP-xG-b---q-y-m-hGGP-z-h- P-IG-q-Eh-P-

n-hP-W-z-m-z P-Eh-P-n-q-z=m--zdm--GP-M-Dz-Vm-q-m-G-Gm--q--z-Ph--G-h-Bh-q-h-q--GP-hP- IG-q-Eh-P-n-q-z=m-D-m-m-D h-m-P--GP-Vm-q-m-P--W-h---G-Gm-G---zP-Eh-P-n-q-z=m-h- P-m--P. h--P- -G-Gm-GmP-z-wz-Dm-IG-q-z---z-m-GP--IG-q-Zh- P-+-D-zP-q-zG-h-

GP-q-P- P--TP-G--hG-V-z-P-h-P. hP-IG-VG-m-Gm--xG---P-P-GmP-fz-h-q-Em Em- G G-dm--G-zT-V-E--9 - 12 - w

(Translation)

My friend the great Colonel Younghusband, the holder of five shri:

Salam!

Thank you very much that you are in good health, like a clear moon and your

deeds shining like the moons rays. Here I am as usual. Previously when I met

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you on your way to Tibet, you had shown me a great kindness. When you were

returning from Lhasa, I thought of meeting you at Gyantse, but unfortunately I

was unable to catch you. Thereafter when I planned to meet you, I heard that youwere not well. I sent you a letter but it seems you had not received it. After I met

you, the great British government has offered me many titles at different times

due to your kindness. Here we in Bhutan are very happy thanks mainly to the

kindness of British government and yourself. This time British government

conferred me the rank of K.C.I.E and this is indeed due to your support. Bell

Saheb, who came to present this title, informed me about your good health; I was

very happy. I request you to send me letters frequently.

I am sending herewith a scarf as a gift.

Ugyen Wangchuk, the king of Bhutan

12th day of the 9th month of the Water-Dog Year.

Appendix III

{} -----IG-q--w-m-- P---zm-;----VG-G-iP-h-S-q-G-f-P-m---zT--G h--IG-q-Zh-P-VG-G-f-X--+-D-zP-zG-h-q-z=m-Vh-Ph-P-S-zm-D-zP-Gm-G IG-q-Zh---m--Vz-B-+z-

Ph-m--G-fm-GZ--w-P. +-Zh-z--xG--Bh-h-q X- m-m-H-xG--P-fz-m- P-Zh--w-P-zm-hP. h-V-P- -IG-q----z-m-GP-z +-Zh-VG-z--h-G--zhG-zBh-Vm-q-P-h--G-zP-Zh--hG-hP--wm-G-G-hG--M-hP. Sm-h-h-oP-Zh-hP-W-+z-Ph--GP--m-h=z-h-t-G-G-GmP-M-h-q h-V-GmP-fz-P-z-

hP. x-eP-GP--h=z-h-GmP-M-Gm-+z-P-m- h=P--+-z--+-Zh-m-GmP-z -w--D-GZ--h--G-fG-X-V-z--M-hP. m-zz-G-

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W-Gm-w-VG-q--z-G h--u-Ez----z-hP- -z-V-m-G-b-wz-

m--zMh-Vz-zBh-h-+z-h-q-hP- ym- P--z-n-q-z-B-I-+z--P-zm-- -G G-dm--G-zT-P--- 5 - 5 -G-f-w-P-hqm-m---zT-w

(Translation)

My friend Sir Francis Younghusband, K.C.I.I:

Salam!

I am happy to know that you are in good health by the grace of the Triple Gem.

Here I am also fine as before. I sent two letters to you when you were returning

from Lhasa. However, it seems that the letters did not reach you, since you

quickly proceeded straight to Bihar. From my friend Sir War I heard that you

have been rewarded with promotion and awards. I joyfully congratulate you for

this. Last time when we met at Tuna, I was promised to give a good gun by the

government. I hope I can get it now. If this is no possible, I request you to giveme a double-barrelled rifle like the one you had given to the Trongsa governor. I

can remit the payment to you. Presently War Saheb and a senior Saheb have

arrived in Bhutan and they are at Hram, and I am accompanying them during their

journey.

With a scarf on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Wood-Snake Year).

With Salam salutation,

Thimphu district officer, holder of five shris.

Note:-The English translations of all the above letters were done by the Re-

search and Translation Department of LTWA.

drukpa

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