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
Tenure	26 August 1926 – 30 March 1952
Coronation	14 March 1927
Predecessor	Tsundue Pema Lhamo
Successor	Kesang Choden
Co-queen consort	Pema Dechen
Born	1911 Wangducholing Palace, Bumthang
Died	24 August 2003 (aged 92) Dechencholing Palace
Spouse	Jigme Wangchuck ​ ​ (m. 1926; died 1952)​
Issue	Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Full name Gayum Angay Phuntsho Choden[fn 1]
House	Wangchuck (by marriage)
Father	Dasho Jamyang, Chumed Zhalgno[1]
Mother	Ashi Decho Dorji
Religion	Buddhism

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 style	Her Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty
Alternative style	The Royal Grandmother

•  Bhutan :
  • King Jigme Singye Investiture Medal (2 June 1974).
  • Commemorative Silver Jubilee Medal of King Jigme Singye (2 June 1999).

Ancestry

Ancestors of Phuntsho Choden

4. Lamala 2. Jamyang, Chumed Zhalgno 5. Kunzang Lhamo 1. Phuntsho Choden 24. Ugyen Phuntsho, 8th Trongsa Penlop (= 30) 12. Pema Tenzin, Penlop of Jakar 25. Rinchen Pelmo (= 31) 6. Chimi Dorji, Dzongpon of Thimphu 13. Lhamo 3. Decho Dorji 28. Pila Gonpo Wangyal 14. Jigme Namgyal, 10th Trongsa Penlop and 51st Druk Desi 29. Sonam Pedzom 7. Yeshay Choden 30. Ugyen Phuntsho, 8th Trongsa Penlop (= 24) 15. Pema Choki 31. Rinchen Pelmo (= 25)

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".
5. "Queens of Bhutan".

1. Women in Bhutan retain their names upon marriage.