Phuntsho Choden

Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1911–2003) was the Queen consort of Bhutan.[2]

Phuntsho Choden
Queen Phuntsho Choden in 1926
Queen consort of Bhutan
Tenure26 August 1926 – 30 March 1952
Coronation14 March 1927
PredecessorTsundue Pema Lhamo
SuccessorKesang Choden
Co-queen consortPema Dechen
Born1911
Wangducholing Palace, Bumthang
Died (aged 92)
Dechencholing Palace
Spouse
​
(
m. 1926; died 1952)
IssueJigme Dorji Wangchuck
Full name
Gayum Angay Phuntsho Choden[fn 1]
HouseWangchuck (by marriage)
FatherDasho Jamyang, Chumed Zhalgno[1]
MotherAshi Decho Dorji
ReligionBuddhism

Early life

Ashi Phuntsho Choden was born in 1911 at Wangducholing Palace to Chumed Zhalgno, Dasho Jamyang (of the Tamzhing Choji family - also known as the Myo family -) and Ashi Decho, daughter of Ashi Yeshay Choden (who was the sister of Druk Gyalpo Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck).[3]

She had two full-brothers and two full-sisters, and another half-siblings by the second marriages of her parents:

  • Dasho Gonpo Dorji, Chumed Zhalgno.
  • Ashi Pema Dechen (1918–1991).
  • Dasho Lam Nado (1920–1989).
  • Ashi Chimi.

From an early age, Ashi Phuntsho Choden received a traditional education, including lessons on Buddhism. She received teachings, empowerment, and reading transmissions in the Drukpa Kargyu, Karma Kargyu, Dujom, Peling, and Nyingthig traditions from renowned Buddhist lamas.

Marriage and family

She married Bhutan's second king, a cross cousin, Jigme Wangchuck, in 1923 when she was 12 years old at Thinley Rabten Palace, Phodrang.[4] They were second cousins. Ashi Phuntsho Choden was the half-sister of the maternal grandfather of the current Queen of Bhutan, Jetsun Pema, and she was the great grandmother of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. She made sure that her only child, Druk Gyalsey Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, learned both English and Hindi in early childhood to prepare him for Bhutan's escalating involvement in foreign diplomacy.

Her younger sister, Ashi Pema Dechen (1918–1991), was the second wife of her husband since 1932 when she was 14 years old.[5]

Royal duties

She was very religious. Phuntsho Choden played an important role in maintaining and strengthening Bhutan's rich Buddhist heritage. She built a legacy of religious institutions, established spiritual learning centres, and preserved the rich imagery that formed a core of Bhutan’s religious history.

She created the monument National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu which she built in memory of her son, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, for the well being of the nation and the people.

Death

She died on 24 August 2003 at Dechencholing Palace. Her body was ceremoniously laid out for 49 days and was taken to places she had been to when she was living.

Honours
Styles of
Queen Grandmother Phuntsho Choden
Reference styleHer Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty
Alternative styleThe Royal Grandmother

Ancestry

References
  1. "Thukten Shedrup Dargay Choling - Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators".
  2. "Central Tibetan Administration Mourns the Demise of Bhutanese Gayum Phuntsho Choden". Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  3. "Central Tibetan Administration Mourns the Demise of Bhutanese Gayum Phuntsho Choden". Phayul.com.
  4. "WANGCHUCK DYNASTY. 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan. Lham Dorji" (PDF).
  5. "Queens of Bhutan".
  1. Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.
Phuntsho Choden
Born: 1911 Died: 24 August 2003
Bhutanese royalty
Preceded by
Tsundue Pema Lhamo		 Queen consort of Bhutan
1926–1952		 Succeeded by
Kesang Choden
Preceded by
–		 Queen Mother of Bhutan
1952–1972		 Succeeded by
Kesang Choden
Preceded by
–		 Queen Grandmother of Bhutan
1972–2003		 Succeeded by
Kesang Choden
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