The seven subsidiary precious possessions, the Nyewai Rinchendun, are the seven symbols that were adopted into Buddhism from ancient India’s seven emblems of royalty. They represent the ideal royal luxuries of ancient times. This set is referred to as ‘subsidiary’ precious possessions as they are considered inferior to the seven precious emblems of a universal monarch. Further, these seven possessions are not limited to the universal monarch.

The Sword (རལ་གྲི་)

The precious sword is described as sharp and straight with a golden handle bedecked with precious gems and stones. It blazes with blue light and has power to impress the authority of the king without even using it. It causes fear and submission among enemies and symbolizes justice, compassion, and penetrating wisdom.

The Naga skin (ཀླུ་པགས་)

A large golden-hued skin of a nāga, or serpent king, obtained from the depth of the sea is believed to be indestructible whether by water, fire, or air. It gives warmth when cold and can cool when it is hot. It helps summon the serpent world and thereby controls the weather and averts illnesses caused by the nāga world such as leprosy. The skin also has the power to obtain riches from the nāga world in forms in precious stones, pearls and corals

The Palace (ཁང་བཟང་)

The royal house is spacious, pleasant, superbly built, fully complemented, and proportioned with beautiful designs. It is warm in winter and cool in summer, and year-round is peaceful, inviting, and very enjoyable to live in. It is conducive to happy living, good rest, and sleep and is free from the sufferings of death and illness.

The Robes (གོས་)

Royal robes are made from pure and very refined cloths and decorated with golden embroidery. It has magical qualities of resisting weapons and fire, providing warmth when cold and cools in the heat. It is clean, soft, fragrant, and invigorates physical and mental wellbeing.

The Royal Gardens (སྐྱེད་ཚལ་)

The royal gardens help the king to relax in the beauty of nature. Appointed with beautiful lush lawns, abundant trees, and plants of various attractive colours, fragrances and delicious fruits. Clear water flows through ponds, streams, and fountains. Exotic animals, beautiful birds, and fishes dwell in the garden as a cool fragrant breeze gently blows, carrying the sounds of divine music. Such a peaceful and rich garden is believed to be reflective of the virtuous work of the king.

The Royal Bed/Throne (མལ་ཆ་)

The royal throne, couch, or seat is an object of exceptional craftsmanship. It is soft and comfortable seat to sit or lie on, and fulfils the desires of the king. It creates a sacred atmosphere and helps the king develop mental composure, clarity, and positive energy while eliminating fatigue and other mental and physical problems that could hinder his rule or personal well-being.

The Royal Shoes (ལྷམ་)

The precious shoes are designed from special materials and decorated with beautiful embroidery and gems. They are very light, soft, comfortable, and help the king travel at great speed with no fatigue. They are resistant to damage by water and fire and are impervious to wear and tear. The boots help the monarch travel and therefore better carry out activities on behalf of his subjects.

The seven subsidiary precious possessions of a universal monarch are often included in the list of offerings during Bhutanese religious ceremonies.

Karma Phuntsho is the Director of Shejun Agency for Bhutan’s Cultural Documentation and Research, the President of the Loden Foundation and the author of The History of Bhutan. The piece was initially published in Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel in a series called Why We Do What We Do.