Paranirmitavaśavartin
Paro Taksang (spa phro stag tshang)
One of the thirteen taksang, or "Tiger Lair", sacred caves in Tibet and Bhutan blessed by Guru Rinpoche and one of the eight sacred places he blessed for the practice of the Eight Herukas. In particular this is the place related to Jigten Chöto, where Langchen Palseng, attained realization.
Visit of Padmasambhava
In the 8th Century CE Guru Rinpoche visited Bhutan and blessed it as the second Kailash. At that time malignant spirits abounded and, in order to subdue them, he assumed the terrifying form of Guru Dorje Drolo one of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and consecrated this place as a sacred site to protect against harmful forces and protect the Dharma.
Visit of Langchen Palgyi Senge
While confering the empowerments of the [Eight Classes of Herukas] Cycle to the [Twenty-five Disciples] at [Yamalung], Guru Rinpoche instucted Langchen Palgyi Senge to carry out the practice of the Fierce Mantra of the Tamer of All Haughty Spirits at Taksang Senge Samdup in the Paro valley of Bhutan.
In accordance with these instructions Langchen Palgyi Senge came to Paro Taksang in 853 CE meditating until he accomplished the practice of the Tamer of All Haughty Spirits gaining profound siddhi which enabled him to bind gods and spirits to his service.
The cave in which he meditated became known as Pelphug or Drubphug.
The nine sacred caves at Paro Taksang
- Machig Phug ()
- Senge Phug ()
- Pelphug ()
- Drolo Phug ()
- Osel Phug ()
- Gedig Phug ()
- Chogyal Phug ()
- Kapali Phug ()
- Phagmo Phug ()
Alternate Names & Spellings
- Padro Taksang
- Paro Taktshang
- Taksang Senge Samdup ()
- Taksang Pelphug