𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

… 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝑳𝒂𝒎𝒂 𝑲𝒐𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚

By Pema Wangmo

As modern medicine advances, thousands still seek healing beyond the reach of conventional treatments. Lama Tsham Koenchoe, a humble spiritual healer from Bhutan, has become a symbol of hope for those whose ailments resist scientific remedies.

He is popularly known as Baap Lhakhang Lama.
Over the last 16-years, Lama has impacted countless lives, offering not just prayers, but a renewed sense of hope and purpose. “I used to attend about 3,000 individuals a day, visiting mostly for treatment,” stated lama.
However, with overwhelming numbers of visitors each day, now the lama attends 200 sick devotees every day, offering treatment services.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓
Tsham Koenchoe’s path to becoming a revered spiritual healer was unforeseen. Before his journey began, he lived a life of quiet devotion, dedicated to prayer and meditation within his temple. However, in 2014, a significant event changed his life. A 70-year-old woman, afflicted with an ailment that resisted all conventional treatments, sought him out, hoping to receive the blessings of a lama. She came with her Jabthree, a traditional offering, and her hopes for healing.
“I never imagined that I would end up treating people,” Tsham Koenchoe reflects. “I only considered praying and meditating. But when she came to me, something within me awakened a deep calling to help her.” This encounter marked the beginning of Tsham Koenchoe’s journey as a healer.

By 2016, his reputation had spread, and he found himself inundated with requests for healing. “Many good things started happening,” he recalls. “Beautiful signs accompanied my work, and I made sure that no one left without receiving the help they needed.” He described the rainbow encircling the sun at his residence below the Baap Lhakhang.

His home, once a place of quiet solitude, became a sanctuary for those in search of healing. People from all over Bhutan and beyond began visiting him, each carrying their own burdens of illness and suffering. They came seeking not just physical relief, but a deeper sense of peace and spiritual renewal that only Tsham Koenchoe could provide.

𝑨 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑹𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒆
For over three decades, Tsham Koenchoe has followed a rigorous daily routine that reflects his unwavering commitment. His day begins long before dawn, at 3 a.m., when he rises to perform his prayers and rituals. These early morning hours are dedicated to the countless individuals who seek his help, each one a soul in need of comfort and healing.

“In our religion, we have to consider both traditional and scientific treatments,” Tsham Koenchoe explains. “Thanks to His Majesty, we have access to various medical treatments within the country, but spiritual practices like ‘Kago’ are crucial. They help protect us from bad omens and diseases.”
The concept of Kago in Bhutanese culture is central to Tsham Koenchoe’s healing practice. Kago is a spiritual ritual believed to ward off negative energies and illnesses, serving as a protective shield against the unseen forces that can affect one’s health. For Tsham Koenchoe, Kago is not just a ritual, it is a vital component of the healing process, complementing and enhancing conventional medical treatments.
“As a lama, I never prioritize myself,” he says with humility. “It is important to always control our minds, and according to klu (Underworld beings) only ‘ngagmar’ and ‘ngagchu’ help with recovery.” Tsham Koenchoe’s approach to healing emphasizes a holistic process that requires balance and harmony between the body, mind, and spirit.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈
The true impact of Tsham Koenchoe’s work is best understood through the stories of those he has helped individuals who had exhausted all other options and found themselves at his door as a last resort. These stories are powerful narratives of hope, faith, and the profound effect of spiritual healing.

One such story belongs to Pema Dorji, a 68-year-old man from Tala, Chukha. Pema had been suffering from a debilitating condition that had left him almost paralyzed. Despite seeking treatment from multiple hospitals, his condition showed no signs of improvement. “I had visited Tsham Koenchoe before and felt much better, but couldn’t return after my first visit,” Pema recalls.

“This time, I came all the way from Tala, hoping to see him again. Due to the large number of visitors, I couldn’t meet him on the first day, so I returned the next day. I’ve heard many stories of people getting cured by his blessings, even illnesses that hospitals couldn’t cure. My body was almost paralyzed, but I had faith in Tsham Koenchoe.”

Pema’s story is one of many that illustrate the profound impact of Tsham Koenchoe’s work. His healing is not just about alleviating physical symptoms; it is about restoring hope and faith to those who have lost it. For Pema and many others, Tsham Koenchoe represents a lifeline a chance to regain not just their health, but their sense of purpose and connection to the world around them.

Another powerful testimony comes from Sonam Tobgay, an 80-year-old man from Zhemgang. Sonam had been suffering for two years from a condition caused by a fall that resulted in blood accumulating inside his brain. Despite seeking treatment at various hospitals, including one in neighbouring country India, Siliguri, Sonam’s condition showed no signs of improvement. Desperate for relief, he turned to Tsham Koenchoe. “I came to Tsham Koenchoe for the first time, hoping to get well after hearing so much about his blessings,” Sonam says. His story highlights the crucial role that faith plays in the healing process. For many, the spiritual rituals performed by Tsham Koenchoe offer a sense of hope and comfort that conventional medicine cannot provide.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓
Despite the growing recognition of his healing powers, Tsham Koenchoe remains deeply humble. His focus is not on his reputation or accolades but on the well-being of those who come to him in need. “I don’t charge any set fee for treating my patients,” he says. “It often saddens me, and I find tears falling from my eyes when I see the poor conditions many of them are in. I always tell my patients that I don’t need any wealth; all I ask is that they pray for my good health.”

This selflessness is a cornerstone of Tsham Koenchoe’s approach to healing. He views his work as a sacred duty, motivated by compassion and responsibility rather than material gain. Over the years, he has treated a wide variety of ailments, from physical wounds to mental health conditions like depression.

Remarkably, he reports that 80 to 90% of those suffering from depression seem to recover after visiting him. “Recently, 300 patients fully recovered, and seeing them leave with hope and happiness in their eyes brings tears of joy to mine,” he says. “I always remind my patients that I don’t have any wealth to offer them. Instead, I offer them my blessings and prayers for a swift recovery after their treatment.”

𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆
As Tsham Koenchoe reflects on his journey, he is aware of the limitations imposed by his own health. The years of devotion and service have taken their toll, and he knows that his time as a healer may be drawing to a close. “Before I entered the Dratshang, I never imagined that I would end up treating people; I only considered praying and meditating,” he shares. “As I look ahead, I plan to retire in the next three to four years, as it’s clear that I’m the only one treating the many patients who visit here. I’m considering starting a meditation practice and focusing on praying for all living beings in this world.”

The potential retirement of Tsham Koenchoe raises important questions about the future of spiritual healing in Bhutan. Will the traditions he has upheld continue, or will they fade away with his departure? These questions are not just about one man’s legacy but about the future of a practice that has provided comfort and healing to so many. The answer will shape the future of spiritual healing in Bhutan and its role in the cultural life of the nation.

𝑨 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉
Tsham Koenchoe’s story is not just about healing; it is about the enduring power of faith and the impact one individual can have on the lives of many. In a world where technology and science often take center stage, Tsham Koenchoe’s work serves as a reminder that healing is not just a physical process. It is a journey of the mind and spirit, where belief and tradition play vital roles.

As more people turn to spiritual practices for health and well-being, Tsham Koenchoe’s legacy will continue to inspire and guide those who seek solace and healing.