The Black-Slate Edict of Punakha Dzong

61 Pages Posted: 1 May 2020

See all articles by Rinzin Wangdi

Rinzin Wangdi

Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law - Bhutan Law Network

Michaela Windischgraetz

University of Vienna - Department of Labour Law and Law of Social Security; Austrian Academy of Sciences

Date Written: June 1, 2019

Abstract

This text provides an introduction to and a translation of an inscription engraved on black slates at Punakha rDzong chung. The inscription purports to contain a legal code of Zhabs-drung Ngag-dbang rnam-rgyal, the founder of the Bhutanese State. The main intention of the text is to equate the organization of the newly established ‘Brug-pa state to the organization of the Tibetan imperial state of Srong-btsan sgam-po, thereby legitimizing and sanctifying the Zhabs-drung´s rule in Bhutan. For this purpose, the inscription takes as its point of reference the Section on Law and State, a chapter on Tibetan imperial law and administration found in the mid 16th century text mKhas pa’i dga’ ston by dPa'-bo gTsug-lag phreng-ba (1504-1566).

Keywords: Black-Slate, Zhabdrung, Bhutan, law, legal code

Suggested Citation

Wangdi, Rinzin and Windischgraetz, Michaela, The Black-Slate Edict of Punakha Dzong (June 1, 2019). Bhutan Law Network / JSW Law Research Paper Series No. 20-02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3537406 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3537406

Rinzin Wangdi

Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law - Bhutan Law Network ( email )

PO Box 1533
Taba, Thimphu
Bhutan

Michaela Windischgraetz (Contact Author)

University of Vienna - Department of Labour Law and Law of Social Security ( email )

Schenkenstrasse 8 - 10
Wien, 1010
Austria

Austrian Academy of Sciences ( email )

Vienna
Austria

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