Je Khenpo

Je Khenpo ( Tib. RJe mKhan -po; engl The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan) is the title of the head of the central monk body (Tib. གཞུང་གྲྭ་ཚང་; Wyl gzhung grwa -tshang. ) Bhutan, the spiritual leader of the country ( see also Drukpa Kagyu ). He is responsible for religious affairs and the monasteries in the country and is revered as one of the most respected people.

In the 17th century united the first Shabdrung Rinpoche, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the country of Bhutan. He laid the foundation for the system in which the secular and spiritual power were separated. The Druk Desi was the secular leader and the Je Khenpo, the spiritual. After the introduction of the monarchy in 1907, the Je Khenpo was one of the most important advisor to the king.

The Je Khenpo is from the Dratshang Shung (Tib. gzhung grwa tshang; engl Central Monastic Body. ), The central monk body selected. The first Je Khenpo was Pekar Jugne. The 71st and current Je Khenpo Jigme Trulku is His Holiness.