The Origins of Sey Dratsang
Sey Dratsang is a sacred monastery currently located in Bumthang, Bhutan. Its story begins centuries ago in Tibet, rooted in the extraordinary lives of two of Buddhism’s most revered masters — Marpa Lotsawa and his devoted disciple, Milarepa.
Marpa Lotsawa — The Great Translator
Marpa Lotsawa was born in Kunchok village in Sey, Lhodrak, southern Tibet, into the respected Tashi Denya family. Driven by a deep thirst for spiritual knowledge, he made the dangerous journey across the Himalayas to India not once, but three times — studying under two of the greatest masters of his time, Naropa and Maitripa. These journeys transformed Marpa into one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, and it was during this period that his profound connection with Milarepa began.
Milarepa and the Building of Seykhar Guthok
Recognizing that Milarepa carried the weight of serious negative karma from his past, Marpa guided him through an intense process of purification. This took the form of an extraordinary trial — Milarepa was asked to build stone towers by hand, only to have them demolished and rebuilt according to Marpa’s precise instructions. These trials, though grueling, became a turning point in Milarepa’s spiritual transformation.
In 1080, Seykhar Guthok was finally completed — a towering monument to devotion, perseverance, and the bond between teacher and student.
Centuries later, in the 1500s, the monastery entered a new chapter under the care of the great scholar Pawo Tsugla Trengwa, who undertook its restoration and expansion under the guidance of the 8th Gyalwa Karmapa. He added ten additional stories to the tower, giving it the form we recognize today. Pawo Tsugla Trengwa was one of the most prolific writers of his time, composing extensive works on Buddhist philosophy, history, and practice — many of which were written at this very monastery. Seykhar Guthok became his principal seat, and under his presence it flourished as a major center of scholarship and spiritual activity within the Kagyu tradition.
A Living Lineage Through the Centuries
Over the centuries, Sey Dratsang became a living symbol of the Kagyu lineage. In the decades before 1959, the monastery embraced both the Kagyu and Geluk traditions, reflecting the richness and openness of Buddhist practice. During this period, Khenpos appointed by the Ganden Phodrang oversaw the monastery’s spiritual life, carrying forward a lineage of wisdom and compassion that had endured for nearly a thousand years.
The 1959 Migration and the Founding in Bhutan
When Tibet was occupied in 1959, the people of Sey faced an uncertain and painful future. Many fled to Bhutan, carrying with them not only their memories and faith, but also precious sacred objects and holy relics — known as Nangten — from Seykhar Guthok. These sacred items formed the spiritual foundation upon which Sey Dratsang in Bumthang, Bhutan was established. Today, the monastery continues to serve as a beacon of the Seykhar heritage and the Marpa-Milarepa lineage in exile.
THE SEYKHAR NANGTEN — OUR SACRED TREASURES
What Are the Nangten?
As descendants of the great master Marpa Lotsawa, the people of Sey carry a deep responsibility — to preserve the sacred traditions and objects that connect us to our spiritual heritage. When Tibet fell under Chinese occupation in 1959, our forebearers acted swiftly and courageously, bringing entire collections of holy objects and sacred monuments from Seykhar Guthok to safety. It was these Nangten — these sacred treasures — that made possible the establishment of Sey Dratsang in Bhutan.
A Painful Loss
On August 12, 1989, these sacred items were forcibly removed from Sey Dratsang by the Bhutanese government. For over three decades, we have had no information about their whereabouts or condition. We respectfully and urgently call on the Bhutanese government to provide full transparency regarding the status of these irreplaceable sacred objects.
Some of the Sacred Items
Among the Nangten carried from Tibet were:
- The skull of Sey Dharma Dodhey, bearing the self-arising letter “Aa”
- A sacred conch shell (Dungkar)
- The earrings and rosary of Yum Dakmeyma
- Two seals belonging to Marpa Lotsawa
- Dho Tama Tew — the tools used by Milarepa in the construction of Seykhar Guthok
- Marpa’s personal cup and instruments
- Numerous rare and ancient thangkas and statues
This is only a partial list. A more complete record of the Nangten can be found in the Seykhar Guthok Neyik.
Our Commitment
These sacred treasures belong to Sey Dratsang and the global Sey community. They will not be claimed, held, or appropriated by any individual, organization, or government. We remain committed to their recovery and proper preservation, and we invite the support of all who value the protection of sacred cultural and religious heritage.