In the Gelephu Mindfulness City—the terrestrial Shambhala heaven—the sacred responsibility of constructing the Shambhala Dzong has been entrusted to the Zhung Dratshang (the Central Monastic Body). This decision reflects the profound essence of our national identity: the Choesi Nyidhen, or the dual system of governance. Bhutan stands unique in the world for this system, where the secular and the spiritual are woven together in perfect harmony.
For nearly 400 years, since the era of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the spiritual heart of our nation has been guided, preserved, and protected by the Zhung Dratshang. From the first Je Khenpo to the present 70th Abbot, the monastic body has been the unwavering guardian of our lineage. Because the Shambhala Dzong is destined to be the global epicenter for Vajrayana Buddhism, His Majesty the King has placed this sacred task in the hands of the very institution that has secured our spiritual heritage for centuries. By building this center, the Zhung Dratshang continues its historic role as the pillar of our cultural and religious identity.
The Shambhala Dzong stands as the most vital and definitive landmark within the Gelephu Mindfulness City. While the Zhung Dratshang has been entrusted with the responsibility of its construction, this Dzong belongs to the entire nation as the crowning jewel of our Palden Drukpa identity. It is not merely one of many spiritual centers; it is the core headquarters and the institutional heart of the Choesi Nyidhen—our unique dual system of governance. While GMC will host various centers dedicated to the lineages of great masters, the Shambhala Dzong transcends individual ownership to serve as the sovereign center for the King, the Country, and the People, anchoring our dual heritage in this new era.
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