Three sacred ritual daggers, known as phurbas, stolen from Thadra Goenpa in Thimphu in 2023, have been returned to the monastery with the voluntary support of two Singaporean nationals. The return of the religious relics marks an important moment in protecting Bhutan’s cultural and religious heritage.
The three phurbas were brought into Bhutan by the two Singaporeans on October 4. They were kept at the Thimphu police station before being escorted to Thadra Goenpa on October 5 by a team of monks, officials and police personnel.
After a journey of more than two hours, the sacred objects arrived at the monastery. Following a religious ceremony, the phurbas were formally handed over to the monastery in the presence of religious representatives and officials. Laytshog Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang attended the ceremony.
The two Singaporeans voluntarily returned the relics out of faith and respect for Bhutan’s cultural and religious traditions. One of them, Melvin Wong, a Singaporean business owner, said he had purchased the three phurbas from Nepal about two years ago.
Wong said he was shocked when he received a call from the Royal Bhutan Police two to three weeks ago informing him that the objects had been stolen from an ancient temple. He explained that, as a student of Dorji Lopen, Gyelsey Truku and Jigme Choeying Norbu Rinpoche, he felt it was right to return the sacred relics to Bhutan and its people.
Thadra Goenpa’s Drubpon, Tenzin Lhendup, said the return of the phurbas would contribute to peace and stability in the country. He explained that ancient lamas and yogis established temples and monasteries and preserved sacred relics to support the country’s spiritual well-being.
He also acknowledged the support of His Majesty The King, the police and the Zhung Dratshang in helping recover the stolen religious objects. According to him, the return of the relics would strengthen the country’s religious traditions and contribute to peace in the future.
Thadra Goenpa was founded more than 350 years ago by Lama Sangay Jamtsho. Located on a hilltop above Tandin Nye, the monastery holds significant religious and historical importance. According to local belief, Guru Rinpoche had foretold that Lama Sangay would discover a mountain resembling a phurba and establish a monastery there. The place later became known as the Palace of Phurpas.
In 2023, a total of 64 ritual daggers were stolen from the monastery. Authorities have since recovered 45 of them, with most discovered in Nepal. The recovery efforts continue as officials work to bring back the remaining sacred relics.
A rainbow appeared in the sky as the three phurbas returned to the monastery, adding a special moment to the occasion. For the monks and devotees, the return represents not only the recovery of stolen religious objects but also the preservation of Bhutan’s spiritual heritage for future generations.
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