THRIZINO, 8 Jun: Tracing the 15th-century retreat of his predecessor, Lama Tanpai Dronmey, Padma Shri awardee 12th Guru Tulku Rinpoche visited Wumphu in Thrizino subdivision of West Kameng district on Sunday.
The rinpoche was accompanied by Thrizino Buddhist Society (TBS) president Ajay Sidasow, Aka Shotuku Kunu president Sang Dorjee Sidasow, Circle Officer Tashi Dorjee Bapu, and local villagers.
During the visit, the rinpoche offered sacred prayers at his predecessor’s retreat site, marking his maiden visit to the place.
According to villagers, Bumphu, a pair of massive rocks symbolising male and female forms, is highly revered by the local community. Villagers seek blessings there for protection from external raids and attacks, and to avert untoward incidents. It is believed that Ajang Guru once struck one of the rocks with his sword, and a deep, long mark remains visible on the rock to this day.
The rinpoche said, “I am delighted to visit the retreat of my predecessor. This is a significant place not only for the people here but also for me, as it is one of the important sites associated with my previous birth.”
The rinpoche and the TBS president stated that efforts would be made in the coming days to improve accessibility to the site for pilgrims.
Along with a meditation cave, a throne-like structure and several impressions believed to be the fingerprints and footprints of Ajang Guru can be found on rocks around the area.
“The villagers of Dizongania have preserved these sacred traces for centuries. The arrival of the rinpoche has revitalised the spiritual significance of the place and blessed us once again,” said the TBS president.
Lama Tanpai Dronmey is believed to have been born in Baikar village in Kitpi circle of Tawang district. He travelled to Lhasa, Tibet, for monastic education and was ordained as a novice monk by the 2nd Dalai Lama. After completing his monastic studies, he returned to Tawang, where he established monasteries. He subsequently travelled to present-day West Kameng district and further down to the foothills of Assam, particularly present-day Udalguri district, where he is credited with disseminatingBuddhism.
Lama Tanpai Dronmey is known by different names among various communities. He is known as Ajang Guru among the Aka (Hrusso) community, while the Sajolang, Sartang and Bugun communities refer to him as Ajem Guru. In Assam, he is highly revered as Ram Gohain.
Several sites associated with Lama Tanpai Dronmey are spread across Jerigaon and Khoina, villages in Nafra subdivision, and Thrizino, Bichom, Demathang in Balemu in West Kameng and Bichom districts.
His immense spiritual contributions to the spread of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism extended across the Himalayan regions of Tawang, West Kameng and Bhutan, and further beyond the Himalayas to the foothills of Assam. He is believed to have eventually attained mahaparinirvana near Sakteng in Bhutan.
