The Archive of Trashigang Dzong, like many monastic archives, houses an extensive collection of religious scriptures. It includes a set of Kanjur, a set of Bum, the collected works of Pema Karpo, and miscellaneous manuscripts on various subjects. Most of the collection is written on cream-colored Bhutanese handmade paper with black ink. The Trashigang Dzong collection also contains several woodblock prints produced from carved blocks in various regions of Bhutan and Tibet. Notably, it includes some prints created from woodblocks originally carved at Trashigang Dzong, which no longer exist. Preserved as a sacred relic, the Archive of Trashigang Dzong is housed within the Central Tower of the Dzong. Carefully stored on traditional bookshelves, the manuscripts are enveloped in layers of cloth and protected by two wooden boards, securely fastened with a string, reflecting the reverence with which this spiritual treasure is safeguarded.
Extent: 1 collection of manuscripts containing 166 volumes.
Custodial history: Initially, the regional governor, Trashigang Dzongpon, held the responsibility for safeguarding all artifacts within Trashigang Dzong. However, in 1774, following the founding of Trashigang Dratshang within the dzong, the duty of preserving relics, including archives, shifted to the monks of Trashigang Dratshang, under the leadership of the esteemed Lam Neten. Presently, these historical archives find their home in various Lhakhangs within the Dzong and are carefully supervised by thier respective monk Konyer, acting as the caretaker of this sacred space.
Arrangement: The Tashigang collection does not follow a specific system of arrangement at the collection level. However, it is categorized as follows: the Tashigang Kanjur, the collection of the Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines, the collection of Pema Karpo’s works, and miscellaneous collections.
Author(s)/Creator(s): The majority of the manuscripts in the Trashigang collection were created within Trashigang Dzong during the mid-17th to early 18th century.
