Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana which is also known as Duchen Nga Zom celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvana – the freedom from physical existence. In Bhutan, the auspicious holiday is observed every 15th day of February.  

Celebrations During Parinirvana Day| Source: Buddha Weekly

Parinirvana Day is a time to reflect about one’s own death. On this day, excerpts detailing the fnal days of Buddha from the Nirvana Sutra are cited. Some also honor the day by meditating and visiting to temples and monasteries.  

Manuscript of the Nirvaṇa Sutra | Source: Wikipedia

Can You Find Parinirvana on Banknotes?

One of the most popular monasteries is the Tsaktsang Palphug Monastery and also the Tiger’s Nest perched on cliff of the upper Paro Valley. The site is where Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan, meditated. The Tsaktsang Palphug Monastery is on the reverse of the Bhutan 5 Ngultrum Banknote. The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan introduces it in 2015. The banknote’s obverse depicts the DeyNega at the center of two mythical birds of life bja Tshering.  

Bhutan 5 Ngultrum | 2015 | P-28c | Source: Banknote World

The gigantic Buddha Dordenma statue on the mountains of Bhutan is also one of the most famous Buddha points overlooking the city of Thimphu. At 169 feet, the statue made of bronze and gilded in gold is also one of the world’s largest Buddha rupas. 2006 is when construction of the statue begins. However, it finishes in 2015. Just in time for the 60th year celebration of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuk whose portrait appears on the 2006 issue of the Bhutan 10 Ngultrum banknote.  

Bhutan 10 Ngultrum | 2006 | P-29a | Source: Banknote World

The banknote’s reverse displays the Rinpung Dzong, a well-known Buddhist monastery and fortress in Paru District. It is a tentative site for UNESCO. The temple construction is by Drukpa hierarch Zhabdrung Rinpoche Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century.  

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