[Image Courtesy: Darjay.S (Left- Dechenphug Monastery) & Bhutan Heavenly Travels (Right – Wall painting of Genyen Jakpa Milan)]
Lopen Rinchen Yoezer and Sonam Darjay
Feb 2025
Background & Outcome
Despite Bhutan being a small nation, its sovereignty and independence remain intact for millenniums. This is believed to be, in part, due to the divine grace of the guardian deity, Gyenyen Jagpa Milan. Gyenyen (Genyen) is believed to be inside the secluded and sacred shrines of Dechenphug Monastery in capital city of Bhutan. He is a compassionate protector, dedicated to shielding all sentient beings from suffering. In this worldly realm, he embodies power and majesty, compassion and love, as well as protection and guidance in both spiritual and secular matters. He serves as an unwavering refuge, a defender, and an ally in times of need.
Visiting his shrine to make offerings and prayers has ensured unwavering protection and refuge for centuries and still continues to be relevant today. Historically, from Bhutan’s king, high-ranking leaders, government officials and individuals have sought protection from Genyen during all crucial moments in their lives. Whenever new religious institutions are established, political decisions are made, leaders are elected, economic ventures are initiated, warding off of natural disasters and calamities, birth of first child etc., Bhutanese visit his shrine to offer prayers and make aspirations for peace, success, wellbeing, and longevity. Hundreds of people make visit to Dechenphug Monastery on daily basis.
Despite of Genyen’s profound role, many people are not fully aware of his spiritual and cultural significance in Bhutan. Therefore, considering his historic association with Bhutanese people, we are undertaking this small project to document the oral narratives of Genyen Jakpa Milan including his short biography in English. The oral narratives will be archived at the national library, and the short biography will be made freely available in public domain. The biography will include his birth place, biological parents, lineages, siblings, and former lives including his contribution toward welfare of the sentient beings. In order to materialize this huge tasks, exhaustive research, consultations, and visits to all his sacred sites in Bhutan are necessary.
Call to Action
If you wish to collaborate with us for this project, please contact us as we are urgently seeking grant funding from benevolent personals and institutions across the globe.