Leadership & Patronage
Guided by Throne and Dharma
Bhutan has long been sustained by chhoe-sid-nyi, the dual system of spiritual and temporal governance. The Buddha Dordenma stands today as living proof of this union — raised under royal command and consecrated under religious authority. This page honours the two pillars of leadership behind Kuenselphodrang.
Royal Patronage
His Majesty The Fifth King
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
The Fifth Druk Gyalpo
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Fifth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan, carries forward the royal patronage that first blessed the Buddha Dordenma at its groundbreaking under His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in 2005. His leadership continues to embody the vision of peace and spiritual prosperity that the monument represents.
Reigning since December 2006 and formally crowned in November 2008, His Majesty is warmly regarded by the Bhutanese people as the "People's King." His reign has been marked by compassion, humility, and a deep commitment to the welfare of the nation, strengthening the bond between the Golden Throne and the people.
The devotion of the Royal Family to Kuenselphodrang is woven into the site itself. The surrounding Kuenselphodrang Nature Park was formally opened in 2011 in celebration of the Royal Wedding of His Majesty the Fifth King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck — forever linking the sanctuary to the joy and blessings of the Golden Throne.
In the Bhutanese tradition of chhoe-sid-nyi, the throne and the monastic body govern in tandem — one upholding the temporal welfare of the nation, the other its spiritual wellbeing. Together, they have carried the Buddha Dordenma from prophecy to permanence.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo
Chabje Trulku Jigme Chhoeda
Spiritual Guardian
His Holiness the Je Khenpo
Respectfully addressed in Bhutan as Chapjey, the Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body and the senior religious hierarch of the Kingdom. His role embodies the spiritual heart of Bhutan, guiding the nation's monastic community and safeguarding its Dharma traditions.
Alongside His Majesty the King, the Je Khenpo is the only figure in Bhutan entitled to wear the saffron-coloured kabney, a mark of his position as the nation's foremost spiritual authority.
The Buddha Dordenma stands today with the sanction of His Holiness the 70th Je Khenpo, Chabje Trulku Jigme Chhoeda, whose blessing, together with royal approval, allowed the ancient prophecy of Wangpar Tsam to move from vision to groundbreaking in 2005.
Through his continued guidance, Kuenselphodrang remains first and foremost a living centre of Dharma and devotion — a sanctuary where spiritual practice thrives under the highest religious authority of Bhutan.
Continue the Journey
Explore the Monument or Make an Offering
Discover the full story of the Buddha Dordenma, or dedicate a small act of devotion — a lamp, a khadar, a prayer — in honour of their long life and continued guidance.