Buddha Dordenma Statue at Buddha Point is one of the world’s largest and tallest sitting Buddha statues. It is 169 feet (52 m) and sits upon a large meditation hall. The hall contains 100,000 eight-inch-tall and 25,000 twelve-inch-tall gold-gilded bronze Buddhas.
Buddha Point is on the remains of Kuensel Phodrang Palace of the 13th Druk Desi, overlooking Thimphu city at a height of 2500 masl. Apart from being a place of spirituality, the infamous Thimphu Buddha Point is also a place of solace for those who leave the city to feel the calmness of Thimphu.
How to Reach Buddha Point
The Buddha Dordenma statue is located on the hilltop of Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, overlooking Thimphu City in Bhutan. The Buddha Point is 8 km from Thimphu city. Buddha Point is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
You can enter Buddha Point Thimphu from two entrances. The one at the far right is near and doesn’t require much effort to reach the Statue. The first entrance is steep, and you must climb the stairs. You don’t need to book a visit to Buddha Dordenma in advance.
The entry to the Dordenma Buddha Statue is not free anymore. A ticket is mandatory for all international and regional tourists to visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue at Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Statue). The ticket counters will open from 8 AM to 5 PM. The Buddha Point entry fee ticket price is Nu. 500 for adults and Nu. 250 for children aged between 6-17 years.
The Prophecies for the Buddha Dordenma Statue
The Buddha Dordenma statue at Buddha Point was built to fulfill an 8th-century prophecy from Guru Rinpoche. Some more than 600 years ago, Terton Pema Lingpa discovered the ancient terma of Guru Rimpoche, which mentioned the statue to be built in Bhutan for peace and happiness.
The specific prophecy stated, “A tönpa dorje dänma (Shakyamuni statue) would be built…in the region between Wang and Paro, to bestow blessings of peace and harmony in the world.”
Likewise, in the 20th century, Yogi Sonam Zangpo also prophesied that a large statue of either Guru Rinpoche, Buddha, or a Phurba would be built in the region “to bestow blessings, peace, and happiness in the whole world”.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
The Construction of the Buddha Dordenma Statue at Buddha Point
The Great Buddha Dordenma, meaning a Shakyamuni Buddha, is built on a hilltop encompassing about 943 acres of land designated as the Nature Park. The Buddha Dordenma statue sample was created with clay by a well-known Bhutanese Master Jenzop Lopen Sangay from Shaba, Paro.
The construction of Buddha Dordenma Thimphu started in 2006 and was completed on 25 September 2015, which was also destined to commemorate the 60th Birth Anniversary of the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Bhutan’s highest religious authority, the Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Chhoeda, oversaw the consecration. On 26 June 2019, the organizers of the Buddha Dordenma Project formally transferred authority over the site to the Central Monastic Body.
Aerosun Corporation of Nanjing built the Bhutan Buddha Statue at Buddha Point for over US$100 million. Rinchen Peter Teo, a businessman from Singapore, sponsored the Buddha Statue Project.
What to See at the Buddha Point
Approaching the Bhutan Buddha Point from the far right entrance, you will be welcomed by a traditional Bhutanese gate and greeted by a newly built Jangchub Chorten. The main attraction is the world’s largest Sitting Buddha Dordenma atop the 18.9-meter mandala-shaped meditation hall base.
The Buddha Dordenma is one of the world’s largest and tallest Sitting Buddha statues at 169 feet or 52 meters. It sits upon a large meditation hall containing 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gold-gilded bronze Buddhas.
The Buddha Dordenma Statue is also the world’s biggest Buddha. Buddha Dordenma is rendered in the Bhumisparsha mudra, in which the left palm faces upward. The right hand is pointed downward to the earth, calling her to witness his enlightenment following his triumph over the demon Mara. The gold-gilded bronze Buddha sits majestically blessing the entire valley. The wisdom eye of the Buddha is made from diamonds worth 1 million US$.
Inside the meditation hall, the main statue is Guru Padmasambhava. There is also Zepa Chuni, the 12 deeds of Buddha and paintings of Buddha and his teachings, and Mandalas. Apart from the attention-grabbing Buddha Dordenma, there are wonderful carvings over the chamber around the meditation hall. The most prominent carvings are of Zambala, the God of Wealth, and unique peacocks.
Surrounding the main meditation hall are the gilded bronze Goddesses (Dakinis) offering the eight auspicious symbols representing good luck in Buddhist culture. Additionally, there is a small temple with a Buddha statue and a place for butter lamp offerings.
Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park
When you are at Buddha Point, visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. This nature park was formally opened in 2011. It was dedicated to the Royal Wedding of His Majesty the Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. The Park covers an area of 943.4 acres and has two public outdoor gymnasiums.
The view below from the park’s vantage point is stunning, adorned with resting places and fluttering prayer flags. Soak yourself in the fresh air of nature as you behold the Buddha Dordenma, saying the prayers for all sentient beings.
Best Time to Visit Buddha Dordenma, Bhutan
Buddha Point is one of the most frequented sites in Thimphu for tourists and locals. There is no such thing as the best time to visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue at Buddha Point. However, people usually travel early in the morning to get fresh air and to see the morning views of the capital city. Some people visit in the evening when the lights illuminate the Buddha Statue. The road to Buddha Point is used daily by cyclists, joggers, and walkers alike. You can visit major pilgrimage sites of Thimphu with the Bhutan Pilgrimage Package.
Other Sacred Sites to Explore in Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong: Built in 1216 and rebuilt in 1962, it is a fortress-monastery that houses the king’s throne room, government offices, and the central monastic body. Known as the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion,” it blends religious and administrative functions with stunning Bhutanese architecture.
National Memorial Chorten: Also known as Thimphu Chorten, it is a stupa in Thimphu built in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974.
Dechenphu Lhakhang: It is a monastery dedicated to Geynyen Jagpa Melen, a powerful protective deity, located at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley in Bhutan. The Temple was constructed in the 12th century by Dampa, the son of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo.
Pangri Zampa Monastery: It is one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries, founded in the 16th century by Ngawang Chogyal, located 8 kilometers north of Thimphu on the west bank of the Thimphu River. The monastery now functions as Bhutan’s Royal College of Astrology, where monks study traditional astrology.
Cheri Monastery: Also known as Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, it is the first monastery established in Bhutan by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1620. It is located in the Upper Thimphu Valley, about 15 kilometers north of Thimphu city, perched on a hill at an altitude of approximately 2,850 meters above sea level.
Tango Monastery: The Tango Choying Dzong was founded in the 13th century by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and rebuilt in its current form in 1688 by the Fourth Temporal Ruler, Tenzin Rabgye. The monastery is perched on a forested hillside near Cheri Mountain, famed for its spiritual legends, particularly the prophecy involving the deity Hayagriva.
Tshelung Ney: Renowned as the “Second Draphu Maratika,” it is a sacred place of prophetic longevity where Guru Rinpoche received life empowerment (Tse Ngedrup) from Tsepakme (Amitayus) during the 8th century while meditating here for four months.
Thuji Dra Monastery: Also known as the Cliff of Compassion, it is one of the four cliffs prophesied by Guru Rinpoche to Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. The Thujidra Temple is located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters, where Phajo saw in a vision Phagpa Thujechenpo while meditating here.
Domendrel Tsho: It is a sacred lake located near the site where Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye offered mandala offerings to consecrate the Palace of Sikkim’s King Chador Namgyal in the 17th century. The hike to Domendrel Tsho starts from the base of Tango Monastery, and typically takes 4-5 hours.
Domtsang Ney: It is a sacred meditative cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century. Known as “Bear’s Den,” it’s a revered pilgrimage site that features holy relics like his footprint, a stone bell, and a self-emanated syllable Ah.
Jagar Damkelsa Ney: It is a sacred cliff where the 13th-century Mahasiddha Drubthob Nagi Rinchen meditated to save his mother from hell. The site features a historic bamboo basket and wooden beam, symbolizing his miraculous meditation, making it an important yet lesser-known pilgrimage destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Buddha Point built?
Buddha Point was built to fulfill a prophecy from Guru Rinpoche and yogi Sonam Zangpo that foretold the construction of a Buddha statue to bestow blessings of peace and happiness to the world.
When was Buddha Point built?
Buddha Point was built between 2006 and 2015. The construction of the Buddha Dordenma statue started in 2006 and was completed on September 25, 2015.
Who built Buddha Point in Bhutan?
Buddha Point in Bhutan was built by the Buddha Dordenma Project, initiated by His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The Buddha Dordenma Statue was built by Aerosun Corporation of Nanjing, China, at over $100 million under the sponsorship of Rinchen Peter Teo, a businessman from Singapore.
What is the height of the Buddha Point?
The height of the Buddha statue in Bhutan is 169 feet or 52 meters.
Which is the biggest sitting Buddha statue in Bhutan?
The biggest sitting Buddha statue in Bhutan is the Buddha Dordenma statue, which stands at a height of 51.5 meters (169 feet). Buddha Dordenma is the biggest Buddha statue in Bhutan.
Which is the tallest sitting Buddha statue in the world?
The tallest sitting Buddha statue in the world is the Buddha Dordenma at Buddha Point in Thimphu, Bhutan, standing at a height of 169 feet (52 meters).
Where is Buddha Dordenma located?
The Buddha Dordenma is located on the hilltop of Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, overlooking Thimphu City in Bhutan.
