The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Before dawn broke over the Thimphu valley, thousands of devotees, draped in traditional robes and clutching prayer beads, made their way toward Changlimithang. By the time the first light touched the mountains, the stadium had transformed into a vast expanse of devotion. In a moment that stirred deep emotion across the nation, His Majesty The King, His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, and Their Majesties The Queen Mothers, members of the Royal Family arrived to grace the grand opening of the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF), an unprecedented spiritual gathering in Bhutan’s modern history.
The sacred ceremony was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, whose presence, along with that of hundreds of eminent Buddhist masters from Bhutan and abroad, gave the morning an air of rare sanctity. The rhythmic hum of prayers, the swirl of incense smoke, and the collective murmur of thousands of voices united in aspiration for global peace created a moment that will be remembered for generations.
The turnout surpassed all expectations. Many devotees began gathering as early as 3 am their devotion shining through the cold November air. By sunrise, every seat within the main prayer ground was taken, and the overflowing crowd extended into the adjoining football stadium. Yet despite the vastness of the assembly, a deep calm and shared reverence filled the space, a reflection of Bhutan’s spiritual harmony and faith in collective prayer.
The Global Peace Prayer Festival is hosted by the Royal Government of Bhutan in collaboration with the Central Monastic Body. It brings together Buddhist leaders, nuns, monks, and lay devotees from around the world, representing nearly every major lineage and tradition of Buddhism. For Bhutan, a deeply Buddhist nation where spirituality shapes the rhythm of daily life, the sight of such diversity in devotion carried profound meaning.
While the heart of the ceremony took place at Changlimithang, sacred Jabzhi DhoeChog ritual also unfolded simultaneously at Kuenselphodrang, beneath the towering Buddha Dordenma. There, the Central Monastic Body commenced the Jabshi Gyap rites, an ancient and powerful prayer for world peace, compassion, and well-being.
Sather Gyeltshen, Principal of Pangri Zampa, who was present at Kuenselphodrang, explained, “We are still in the process of preparing and conducting these prayers. The Jabshi Gyap is dedicated specifically to world peace and the welfare of all beings. Every hour, more devotees arrive to receive blessings and to join this sacred offering of compassion.”
The event drew not only people from every dzongkhag of Bhutan but also hundreds of visitors from across Asia, Europe, and beyond, all united by a shared spiritual purpose. For many international devotees, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One participant from Thailand said, “To be in Bhutan, surrounded by the purity of its mountains and the sincerity of its people, is deeply moving. This is not just a ceremony, it is a living example of peace in action.” Another devotee from Japan added, “It’s one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Bhutan has shown the world what it truly means to pray not for oneself, but for all beings.”
For Bhutanese attending the festival, the moment carried both national pride and personal devotion. 82-year-old Dorji Tshering, who had travelled from Mongar, said with tears in his eyes, “This is something I never imagined I would live to see. I feel truly blessed to witness His Majesty, the Je Khenpo and all the great masters come together for the peace of the world. It feels like a light has touched our land.”
Chimi Pelden, a teacher from Babesa Higher Secondary School, expressed her gratitude with quiet reverence. “Seeing His Majesty and the great lamas together made me feel an overwhelming sense of peace,” she said. “It reminded me that Bhutan’s strength lies not in power or wealth, but in compassion and faith. This is a day that will stay in my heart forever.”
As the chants grew stronger and the scent of butter lamps filled the air, Thimphu became the epicenter of global spiritual unity. Monks in saffron and maroon robes chanted in unison, prayer flags fluttered in the breeze, and every face, Bhutanese or foreign, glowed with the same silent hope, that peace might spread beyond these mountains to the rest of the world.
By evening, as the sun dipped behind the Dochula ridge, the prayers continued, echoing softly across the valley. Bhutan, the world’s last Vajrayana Kingdom, once again stood as a beacon of faith and compassion. And on the historic day, under the presence of His Majesty The King and His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the Kingdom’s devotion shone brighter than ever, a reminder that even in a divided world, unity and peace can still be found through the power of collective prayer.
The GPPF runs from 4th to 19th November. One can visit https://globalpeaceprayers.org to get the daily schedules and updates on the GPPF.
