The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) on the morning of 23 October 2024 recovered the two antique statues stolen from the Lhading Lhakhang in Paro.
The statues, identified as the Dorje Namjom and Dorje Chang, were mysteriously kept near the Tsento Gup’s office.
The statues, both dating back to the 13th century, were originally crafted in Tibet and brought to Bhutan over a thousand years ago. The two statues were stolen on 5 August 2024, while the Lhakhang owner and his family were fast asleep. The thieves, used a lock-breaking machine to enter the Lhakhang and disabled the metal-clad (MC) light during the incident.
Following the theft, police had thought that the statues were smuggled into Nepal. However, they were ultimately found within the country, suggesting that the suspects may have attempted to sell them outside the country by sending out the pictures of the statutes to Nepal and was looking for potential buyers.
RBP confirmed the authenticity of the statues after comparing them with photographs and presenting them to the Lhakhang owner. One statue was discovered covered, while the other was uncovered.
The investigation into the theft is ongoing, with RBP actively pursuing the suspects in the case. Police believe the suspects likely used the circulated photographs to seek interest from potential buyers and they doubt the statues ever leaving the country.
The Deputy Chief of Police (DCoP) for Crime and Operations explained that the recovered statues weren’t simply abandoned. The police’s persistent investigation, both within the country and outside, had created significant pressure on the thieves, ultimately forcing them to return the statues.
The recovery of these invaluable historical artifacts is a significant victory for Bhutanese cultural heritage. The Lhading Lhakhang is a revered site, and the return of these statues is a source of relief and celebration for the community.
The Lhakhang was renovated four years ago and is located approximately 25 kilometers from Paro Drugyel Dzong.
It is believed that sometime in the 13th century, Tibet, Drogon Chogyal Phagpa, the 5th Sakya Patriach (1235-1280) prophesied that his disciples Drubthob Pawo Tagsham and Khandro Metho Seldon would build a lhakhang in Lhoring Ling (Bhutan).
According to local legend, a Drubthop Pawo Tangsham and Khendro Metog Seldon journeyed from Tibet on a pilgrimage to Bhutan. Drubthop Pawo experienced a dream featuring flying gods and goddesses, hence the name Lhading, which means flying or hovering gods and goddesses. Inspired by this dream, the saint visited the place he had seen, which featured a lake (the current location of the temple).
Thus, it was considered a divine prophecy that a lhakhang should be built over the lake. The present lhakhang is believed to have been constructed over this lake. The main statues include a Jow, Buddha, and Chenrigzig. The temple biography states that all these statues were sculpted in Tibet and brought to Lhading.
The Lhakhang has a link to Drukpa Kunley too.
Much later in the 15th century, it is said that the Five Wisdom Buddha statues started shaking, in order to fly back to Tibet. The fifth one flew back and as it did, a thundering echoing sound resounded the valley. The frightened Koyner saw that the 5th one had flown and that the others were preparing to do the same. He is said to have run down the valley in a panic and found Drukpa Kunley making a stupa. Drukpa Kunley is said to have sealed the 4 Buddhas to prevent them from flying away and built a replacement for the 5th one. However, his statue became quite small and when he tried to remove it, it is said to have spoken, “I am alright.” And therefore, it was left as it is.
Visitors can see the seal made by Drukpa Kunley on the statues and the smaller statue that spoke to Drukpa Kunley.
