HisMajesties and the Je Khenpo lead a nation in mourning as Bhutan honors a revered spiritual luminary whose legacy shaped generations of monastic wisdom.
A ceremonial altar adorned with traditional Bhutanese decorations during the state funeral of Dorji Lopen Yonten Gyeltshen.
In an extraordinary display of national unity and profound reverence, Bhutan solemnly bid farewell to His Excellency the former Dorji Lopen Yonten Gyeltshen, a towering beacon of spiritual wisdom and monastic leadership. His passing marks the conclusion of a luminous chapter in Bhutan’s religious heritage, leaving a legacy etched deeply into the heart of the nation.
The state funeral, held with utmost grandeur on July 19, 2025, at Nalendra, was graced by the august presence of Their Majesties The King and The Gyaltsuen, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and an illustrious gathering of royal dignitaries and revered clergy. The sacred rites were presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, whose solemn prayers elevated the ceremony to a sublime spiritual occasion. Joining him were former Dorji Lopen Truelku Thinley, Lam Neten from across the kingdom, and over 500 monks and nuns representing the nation’s foremost monastic institutions, including Talo Shedra, Nalendra Shedra, Nobgang Monastic School, and Sangchhen Dorji Lhundrup Thorim Shedra.
Born in 1935 in Bulgang, nestled above Nobgang in Punakha’s Talo Gewog, Yonten Gyeltshen entered the sacred monk body at the tender age of eight. Over the course of his illustrious life, he dedicated himself unwaveringly to the preservation and enrichment of Bhutan’s spiritual traditions. His appointment as Dorji Lopen in 1999 crowned decades of devout service and scholastic excellence, a position he held with distinction until 2002.
This majestic farewell not only honors the life of an extraordinary spiritual luminary but also reaffirms Bhutan’s enduring commitment to its rich Buddhist heritage. The participation of the Royal Family, from Their Majesties to the Queens, alongside the venerable Je Khenpo and monastic leaders, reflects the nation’s collective gratitude and profound respect for a man whose life was a testament to faith, wisdom, and compassion.
As the nation mourns this monumental loss, the memory of Dorji Lopen Yonten Gyeltshen will continue to inspire generations to come, a shining light in Bhutan’s sacred spiritual tapestry.
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