Bey Langdra nye evolved from nyeyeg (tantric mythology) as Guru Rinpoche chose to visit the place to envision some hidden treasures for propagation of Buddhism in future.
According to sacred texts, Guru Rinpoche returned from Zangdokpalri for a seven-day sojourn in Bey Langdra. On His arrival, Terdak Langdrapa, a local deity caused obstacles to the Guru. However, manifesting as Urgyen Dorje Gur, the Guru Rinpoche subdued the diety and appointed him as the protector of the treaure-teachings and named the site as Langdra nye. The nye is also known as the holy site of the red bull.
It is said that Guru Rinpoche has hidden terdrom that possess Guru Rinpoche's sixty different types of concealed Dharma treasures known as Ters. This form the inner most sanctum of Langdra nye. It is believed that these Ters were destined to be discovered later by Tertons (treasure discoverers). Ters are discovered as per holy timing fixed by Guru Rinpoche depending on the need of additional Buddhist teachings.
Terton Pema Lingpa is believed to have visited the nye.
Bey Landra nye is considered to be sacred and at par with Goen Tshaphu in Gasa, Kurjee in Bumthang, Taktshang in Paro , and Singye Dzong in Lhuntse.
According to scared text, Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjampa visited Bey Langdra in 1356 followed by his son Tersay Drakpo Ozer. Later in Shar Kunzaling, the seat of Kunkhen Longchen Rabjampa, Terdak Langdrakpa instructed Terton Dorje Lingpa to visit Bey Langdra. After visiting the place and staying there for seven days, Dorje Lingpa was disappointed after finding no spiritual indications. However, when just about to leave, a Dakini appeared before Him and instructed him to look at the cliff.
On the cliff, he saw Guru Rinpoche as an eight-year-old boy emanating from a rainbow. The Guru thus instructed him: “My son, do not leave. You are the destined treasure revealer.” The Terton then entered into a retreat. On the 10th day of the eighth month in retreat, the Guru again appeared to him.
The Guru instructed him that, if one merely sees Bey Langdra, one will be freed from samsara. If one visits it, all defilements will be purified. If one practices Dharma there, one will find spiritual fulfillment and realize all the Yidam practices. If one makes offerings here, all aspirations for all lifetimes will be fulfilled.
However, despite Guru Rinpoche and many great Tertons like Pema Lingpa and Sherab Mebar consecrating Bey Langdra, it remained hidden even to we Bhutanese for many centuries.
In 1988, Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche visited Bey Langdra and petitioned His Majesty about the spiritual discovery. Chatral Rinpoche then stated that, although there are many sacred spiritual places in the world, the discovery of Bey Langdra is very significant. First, it has a very sacred legacy, and second, it has not been defiled over time. Chatral Rinpoche also remarked that all Bhutanese who could now visit the site had more merit than those who had passed away.
On Chatral Rinpoche’s instructions, a retreat centre named Drubdra Ozer Samtenling was constructed at the foot of the valley. In 2000, Chatral Rinpoche appointed Lungten Tulku as the destined Lama to construct a lhakhang in Bey Langdra. Tulku constructed a small lhakhang that housed a 10-foot tall statue of Urgyen Dorje Gur and two six-foot tall statues of Khandro Yeshe Tshogyal and Khandro Mandarawa.
At the base of the nye cliff is a cypress tree believed to have grown from the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche. The tree is also believed to house relics and confer blessings equivalent to five monasteries. Every year the tree is revered on the 15th day of 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar, a day known as ‘Tsenden tsechu’ in homage to Guru Rinpoche. People of Bey Langdra celebrate the day with fun fare over a strict vegetarian diet.
Bey Langdra nye is about 2,500m above sea level and is 35km from Wangduephodrang.
We Bhutanese need to study all important nyes in Bhutan and make a point to at least visit once in our lifetime and get ourselves blessed.
Our country is truly blessed by Ugyen Guru Rinpoche.
VISIT BEY LANGDRA AND CONNECT YOURSELF WITH GURU RINPOCHE