In the Hidden Valley of the White Conch: The Inscription of a Bhutanese Pure Land
Creator's Description: This article examines a relatively recent (1974) inscription from a Ma ṇi gdung 'khor lha khang near U rgyan phug, Bhutan, and connects it to a much older site in Lho brag, Tibet – the La yag Gu ru lha khang of Gu ru chos kyi dbang phyug (1212-1270). The relationship exists due to the efforts of two men, a father and son, both of whom are sacred artisans. The father, Slob dpon chos grags (1889-1967), was commissioned to perform renovations at La yag in the mid 1940s and, in 1949, upon his return to Bhutan, brought both texts and relics of Gu ru chos dbang out with him from Tibet. The son, master (slob dpon) u rgyan 'gyur med bstan 'dzin, is currently one of the preeminent sacred artists in Bhutan; he created the Ma ṇi gdung 'khor lha khang at U rgyan phug when he was twenty-four years old. The inscription within the temple details his motivations, the construction process, and the sacred relics installed therein. (2013-07-01)