Baylangdra Ney is a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche meditated and hidden treasures after conquering the local spirit Lhatsen Langdra who turned himself into a red bull and performed miracles to disturb Guru Rimpoche’s concentration. The Baylangdra Nye is located in Kazhi Gewog under Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag at an altitude of 2989 meters above sea level.
Baylangdra Ney is one of the three holiest Neys of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan, the other two being Paro Taktsang and Singye Dzong. The Baylangdra was discovered by Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche in 1988. There are so many sacred relics found in Baylangdra nye.
How to Reach Baylangdra
After driving through Wangdue, you will follow a dirt road to the left leading toward Chuzomsa. It is an hour’s drive from Chuzomsa through the ravines of Sha villages. From the road point, it is an hour and a half walk to the sacred site of Baylangdra.
Sacred Relics to See at Baylangdra
- A 10-foot-tall statue of Urgyen Dorje Gur;
- The imprints of Guru Rinpoche’s body on the rock;
- A holy water;
- A right footprint of Guru Rinpoche;
- A hat of Guru Rinpoche;
- The rock which has the shape of Guru Rinpoche’s Reldri and the bull towards the northeast of the cave;
- A walking staff of Guru Rinpoche;
- A sword;
- A stone vase of immortality
- A pair of conch;
- A trace of dripping water from the vase which can extend one’s life to 100 years;
- The Tongue of the Ox;
- The image of the door guard Scorpion;
- A track believed to lead to heaven;
- A sacred rock engraved with the magical seal.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche’s Visits to Bhutan and His Sacred Sites
Historical Significance of Baylangdra
When Guru Rinpoche was in Nga-yap-Ling, a continent north of Jambudvidpa, he saw in his spiritual vision the people of a decadent age suffering and plagued by ignorance and sinful deeds. Provoked by their sympathetic situation, Guru Rinpoche came to Baylangdra.
When Guru Rinpoche came donning himself into a poor old man the people living in that place were surprised to see the stranger. The place’s name is Goensarkha (Goen: guest; Sar: new; Kha: place). We can also see the imprints of Guru Rinpoche’s body on the rock in this place. Around that time the people of that place suffered from draught and Guru Rinpoche dug out a spring of holy water (Drupchhu) to quell the thirst of the people which can still be seen today.
Also Read: Drupchhu or Holy Spring Waters in Bhutan: Beliefs and Benefits
The Fulfillment of Guru Rinpoche’s Wish
To discover the hidden treasures from Baylangdra, Guru Rinpoche planted his staff on the ground and wished that if the treasure was to be discovered, the staff would grow into a tree and, if not, perish. The staff grew into a fresh cypress tree. The cypress tree is still seen today, and people observe Tsenden Tsechu to commemorate this auspicious event.
Favored by the fulfillment of his wish, he remained in profound meditation for seven days in the cave at Langdra Nye. The spirit of that place named Lhatsen Langdra (Terdak Langdrapa) turned himself into a red bull and performed miracles to disturb Guru Rinpoche’s concentration. Guru Rinpoche manifested as Pejung Dorji Gurden and chopped the bull into pieces with the Reldri (sword).
Seared by the pain, Terdak Langdrapa submitted to follow any orders of Guru Rinpoche and let the future practitioners attain yogi. Guru Rinpoche made him the place’s protecting guardian deity, calling him Genyen Langdrakpa. The evidence of this incident is visibly displayed by the rock towards the northeast of the cave, which has the shape of Guru Rinpoche’s Reldri and the bull. As a result, the name of this place came to be known as Beyul Langdra, which means ‘The Hidden Treasure of the Bull Cliff’.
Finally, Guru Rinpoche sanctified the place, hid 50 holy treasures, and faded into a rainbow.
The Importance of Baylangdra Nye
Guru Rinpoche meditated there for seven days & conquered the local spirit which turned into a red bull to oppose Guru Rinpoche. The spirit was subsequently turned into a protecting deity of the place & numerous treasures were concealed by Guru Rinpoche.
Over the centuries, the place was blessed and consecrated by many great Buddhist Masters such as Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjampa, and popular treasure discoverers like Pema Lingpa, Dorji Lingpa, and Sherab Mebar.
Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjampa visited Bey Langdra in 1356 followed by his son Tersay Drakpo Ozer. Later in Sha Kunzangling, the seat of Kunkhen Longchen Rabjampa, Terdak Langdrakpa instructed Terton Dorje Lingpa to visit Bey Langdra. After visiting and staying there for seven days, Dorje Lingpa was disappointed after finding no spiritual indications. However, when just about to leave, a Dakini appeared before Him and instructed Him to look at the cliff. He saw Guru Rinpoche as an eight-year-old boy on the cliff emanating from a rainbow.
The Guru thus instructed him:
“My son, do not leave. You are the destined treasure revealer.”
Terton then entered a retreat. On the 10th day of the eighth month in retreat, the Guru again appeared to Him.
The Guru instructed Him that:
if one merely sees Bey Langdra, one will be freed from samsara. If one visits it, all defilements will be purified. If one practices Dharma there, one will find spiritual fulfillment and realize all the Yidam practices. If one makes offerings here, all aspirations for all lifetimes will be fulfilled.
Baylangdra Ney is one of the three holiest Neys of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan, the other two being Paro Taktsang and Senge Dzong.
Also Read: Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), the Sacred Place of Guru Rinpoche’s Enlightened Mind, and Singye Dzong, The Mystical Lion Fortress of Guru Rinpoche
Discovery of Baylangdra Nye
The place remained in ruins for centuries despite being blessed by Guru Rinpoche and several Tertons. It was not until the 14th Je Khenpo Tenzin Namgyel revived and restored the significance of the place.
Tshampa Wangyel says that his ancestors constructed a temple at the sacred site. It was taken care of by the family generation after generation until Lungten Trulku took over it. He reconstructed and extended it into a two-storeyed temple with new relics installed inside.
In 1986, Lungten Tulku went to Yolmo in Nepal and approached Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche about Bey Langdra. Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche visited Bhutan and Baylangdra was formally discovered by Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche in 1988.
Chatral Rinpoche then stated that, although there are many sacred spiritual places in the world, the discovery of Bey Langdra is very significant. First, it has a sacred legacy, and second, it has not been defiled over time. Chatral Rinpoche also remarked that all Bhutanese who could now visit the site had more merit than those who had passed away. Probably due to its late discovery, it is considered one of Bhutan’s most sacred and undefiled religious sites.
Also Read: The Discovery of Rangtse Ney
Description of Baylangdra
Diverting towards Baeyul Langdra from the main highway at Chuzomsa, to the left we see a rock in the middle of the Baechhu. This rock is not ordinary, it is considered the hat of Guru Rinpoche and it is believed that the key to open the door of the hidden land of Baeyul Langdra is being hidden beneath it. From Ney Wogmin Chhoeying, it takes 10 minutes to reach Baeyul Langdra Ney.
On the way through the beautiful forests, you will pass many temples including the old Zhabjay Lhakhang where you can see a defined right footprint of Guru Rinpoche and beautifully carved hand-made wall paintings. You will also pass a cave where water is dripping through the roof from what appears to be no source. Just before reaching the hike’s starting point, you will spot Guru Rinpoche’s walking stick; enormous old cypress trees stuffed with craftsmanship of great lamas.
Around the temple, we see a footprint of Guru Rinpoche, a sword and a stone vase of immortality, a pair of conch, and a trace of dripping water from this vase which can extend one’s life to 100 years. We can also see the tongue of the Ox.
Baylangdra Temple
There are two big Baylangdra temples at the trailhead; the upper one is a meditation retreat and the lower one, Yoser Namseling Lhakhang, is a two-storied temple with beautiful sculptures of Guru Rinpoche’s eight manifestations. The Baylangdra Temple was built by Lungten Tulku in 2000.
According to Chatral Rinpoche’s instructions, a retreat center named Drubdra Ozer Samtenling was constructed at the foot of the valley. In 2000, Chatral Rinpoche appointed Lungten Tulku as the destined Lama to build a Lhakhang in Bey Langdra. With limited resources and experience, Tulku constructed a small Lhakhang. Inside the temple, on the face of the cliff, we see the seal of Guru Rinpoche, the image of the door guard Scorpion, and a track believed to lead to heaven.
The Lhakhang housed a 10-foot-tall statue of Urgyen Dorje Gur made in Punakha and sponsored by HRH Ashi Deki Yangzom and two six-foot-tall statues of Khandro Yeshe Tshogyal and Khandro Mandarawa, the two consorts of Guru Rinpoche.
Cypress Tree at Beyul Langdrak
The origin can be traced to the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche who visited Beyul Langdra in the 8th century. When such trees are planted, they’re done to serve as the ‘standing proof’ of the flourishing dharma. Often it is said that the trees will grow only if there is a prophecy that Buddhism will exist without waning. The trees cater to the locality as a symbol of worship and blessings.
Baylangdra is one of three sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche where Guru Rinpoche planted his walking stick. The other two are in Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang and the Dechen Phodrang in Trashi Yangtse.
Also Read: Cypress Tree of Kurjey where Guru Rinpoche left an Impression of his Body
The cypress story of Baylangdra is fascinating and surprising. To discover the hidden treasures from Baylangdra, Guru Rinpoche planted his staff on the ground and wished that if the treasures were to be found the staff would grow into a tree and if not perish. No sooner did he want to than the staff grew into a fresh cypress plant. From a vantage point, you can see the fork at the top of the cypress tree, where Guru rested his palm against the walking stick. The tree is believed to house relics and confer blessings equivalent to five monasteries.
The Tsenden Tsechu Festival of Baylangdra Nye
The people of Bay Chiwog observe a day to commemorate the auspicious event of planting the walking staff of Guru Rinpoche at Baylangdra in the 8th century known as ‘Tsenden Tshechu’. The Tsenden Tshechu is conducted annually on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar.
During the Tshechu, all the households of Bay Chiwog gather in the small flat area around the cypress tree and circumambulate the prayer wheels surrounding the majestic tree. During the day-long ritual, the community relishes and relaxes in the Tshechu atmosphere the entire day. The sponsor for the festival is rotated among community members on an annual basis.
Many visitors from faraway places visit holy cypress trees such as those at Bay Langdra. While the sacred trees are a boon to the visitors, the visitors are a bane to the trees. They collect the bark, branches, twigs, leaves, cones, and all parts of the tree to be used as materials for blessings.
Also Read: The Tshechu of Dzongdrakha
Best Time to Visit Bey Langdra
You can visit this sacred site any time of the year. However, if you love to witness the special celebration, you must visit Baylangdra on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar which usually falls between September and October. On this day, the locals of Bay Chiwog gather in the small flat area around the cypress tree to celebrate the day-long ritual known as ‘Tsenden Tsechu’ to commemorate the event of Guru’s staff growing into a huge cypress tree in the 8th century.
You can contact the site manager Pema at 17752368.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Baylangdra Nye located?
Baylangdra Nye is located in Kazhi Gewog under Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag at 2500–3000 meters above sea level.
Why is Baylangdra Nye important?
Baylangdra Nye is a sacred site where Guru Rinpoche meditated for seven days & conquered the local spirit which turned into a red bull to oppose Guru Rinpoche. The spirit was subsequently turned into a protecting deity of the place & numerous treasures were concealed by Guru Rinpoche. Over the centuries, the place was blessed and consecrated by many great Buddhist Masters such as Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjampa, and popular treasure discoverers like Pema Lingpa, Dorji Lingpa, and Sherab Mebar.
What sacred relics are found in Baylangdra Nye?
Sacred Relics to See at Baylangdra are:
- A 10-foot-tall statue of Urgyen Dorje Gur;
- The imprints of Guru Rinpoche’s body on the rock;
- A holy water;
- A right footprint of Guru Rinpoche;
- The rock which has the shape of Guru Rinpoche’s Reldri and the bull towards the northeast of the cave;
- A walking staff of Guru Rinpoche;
- A sacred rock engraved with the magical seal.
What do people do to preserve the Baylangdra Nye?
To preserve Baylangdra Nye, people engage in various activities that balance conservation with the living nature of this sacred place. Buddhist communities actively manage and maintain their holy sites, ensuring they remain relevant and functional for future generations.
Who discovered Baylangdra Nye?
Baylangdra Nye was discovered by Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche in 1988.
What do people think about Baylangdra Nye?
People have a deep spiritual connection with Baylangdra Ney, considering it a sacred site associated with Guru Rinpoche and other important Buddhist figures. Baylangdra Ney is regarded as one of the three holiest Neys of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan, the other two being Paro Taktsang and Senge Dzong.
What is the significance of the Tsenden Tshechu festival?
The Tsenden Tshechu festival is significant because it commemorates the event where Guru Padmasambhava planted his walking stick at Baylangdra Ney and wished that if the hidden treasures were to be discovered, the staff would grow into a tree, and if not, it would perish. The staff grew into a cypress tree, now revered as a sacred site. During the day-long ritual, the community gathers around the cypress tree, circumambulates the prayer wheels, and enjoys a vegetarian feast.
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