The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck consecrated the Jigme Singye Wangchuck Pillar yesterday at Royal Institute of Law (Royal Law Project), Taba. The unveiling and the consecration of the JSW Pillar is to commemorate the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
The stone pillar concept itself, unique in Bhutan was conceived and inspired by Her Royal Highness, Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck as a fitting tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
With the project funded by the Government of India (GoI), the pillar was built for various reasons. Firstly, to was ensure that every Bhutanese is reminded of and inspired by His Majesty’s achievement and selfless services for all the generations to come.
Secondly, it was to remind every citizen of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s success in achieving unprecedented development in very short span of time, in his thirty-four years of reign.
Thirdly, as a priceless object or a relic for faculty and students of the law school to pray and pay homage, and to inspire them to hard work in achieving His Majesty’s aspiration of ensuring access to justice by promoting the foundation of justice and the rule of law.
The pillar was built out of mint yellow sandstone and is sixteen feet in height. Its heaviness and height symbolize the heavy national responsibilities that His Majesty had to shoulder at the tender age of sixteen.
The pillar symbolizes the greatness of His Majesty’s selfless commitment and inspirational deeds for the country’s continued peace and prosperity.
Further, this also symbolizes that the benefits of His Majesty’s selflessness and dedication to the country have reached every corner in all four directions.
The pillar is a four-faced and twelve-edged pillar. The four faces of the pillar signify the birth of His Majesty, the Fourth King as the King of Destiny and Living God.
Moreover, it also represents the four pillars of Gross National Happiness, a ground breaking developmental goal brought to light by His Majesty.
The twelve edges of the pillar signify that the achievements and the reforms that have been brought about by His Majesty and are comparable to the Zepa Chunyi – which are the twelve deeds of Lord Buddha.
The pillar is placed upon a mandala like platform bearing the carving of four lions and having four paths leading to it. The four paths symbolize the four noble truths, and the lion symbolize His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
Together, they represent His Majesty as an enlightened being descending from the heavens as prophesized by Ugyen Guru to Terton Drukda Dorji.
Placed upon the pillar is, the Dharma Wheel with thirty-four spokes and a Dorji-Jadram placed in the centre. This symbolizes the indestructibility of the sun and represents the longevity of the Golden Throne.
Additional, it symbolizes the thirty-four years of His Majesty’s reign that shone unmitigated light of His Majesty’s wisdom and ability to envision the needs of the people by turning both political and spiritual wheels.
The Zhu covered with clouds shows the supremacy of the Throne and clarity in oceans of His Majesty’s actions. The jewel surrounded by the clouds in the Zhu signifies efforts made by the people of Bhutan to celebrate the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
The lotus, beads, leaves and hanging jewel symbolizes the Tree of Jewel (Paksam Jhoenshing) signifying the formulation of the Gross National Happiness by His Majesty, showering uninterrupted happiness and development to the people and the country.
The achievement and dedication inscriptions were composed to cover His Majesty’s virtuous actions, unprecedented achievement of national goals and security, and happiness of the people.
The pillar has Zungs placed inside and will have chorten like significance where people will be able to offer their prayers.
The pillar is incomparable to His Majesty’s achievements of showering happiness, well-being and unity of people, and security and sovereignty, identity and economic development of the country.
