Dagophu Monastery

Dagophu Monastery

Dagophu Monastery is about 5 km drive from the Lango town located to the North of the town and Temple itself is Kudung of Late Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche was flown to Paro from Yonphula. The Kudung remained in Trashigang for 10 days. Dungse Garab Rinpoche presided over a prayer ceremony at Yonphula Ugyen Dho-nga Choekhorling Lhakhang for the Kudung. After the prayers, the Kudung was escorted in a traditional chipdrel procession from the Lhakhang to the Yonphula airport. And thousands of people from Samdrup Jongkhar, Pemagatshel and nearby areas came there to pay their last respects.

Chador Lakhang

Chador Lakhang

Bartsham Drubdra, Bhutan

The Chador Lhakhang/Sangdha Gyepay Ling, in Bartsham, originally built in the 12th century, is one of the oldest and most sacred monasteries in eastern Bhutan. Located a top a ridge that commands a spectacular view of villages in north Trashigang, the monastery is a revered place of worship for the 700-household Bartsham Community and devotees across the country. Also called ÅgGonpa-RingbooÅh in the local dialect, the monastery is the custodian of one of Bhutan’s most highly regarded religious treasures, a thumb-size replica of Chana Dorji that, legend has it, reached Bartsham through a sacred divination. The origin of the replica, fondly called Meme Chador by the local people, goes back to the Sangdha Tumpo (the secret Treasure Teachings) revealed by the great treasure revealer Terton Pema Lingpa. The foundation for the present-day Chador Lhakhang was laid in the early 1940s by Lama Pema Wangchen (also known as Lama Nagpo) to transmit the Dudjom Tersar tradition of his master Dudjom Jigdroel Yeshey Dorje (Dudjom Rinpoche). After Lama Nagpo passed away, his disciple Lam Kunzang Wangdi (Lam Nyingku) took over the monastery

For Khentse Rinpoche’s website

Chokyi Gatsho Monastery

Chökyi Gyatso Institute for the Study of Buddhist Philosophy

Chökyi Gyatso Institute in Dewathang is one of Nyingma Monastery that practices the tradition of Khyentse Wangpo and Longchen Nyingtik. The Institute offers a traditional monastic curriculum for about 100 monks, equally emphasizing ritual and philosophy. Four years of monastic ritual training are followed by nine years of philosophical studies. To incorporate practice with the studies, the institute annually holds six drupchens (extended group practices): Khandro Sangdü, Gyalwa Gyamtso, Pema Tseyi Nyingtik, Vima Ladrup, Miniling Dorsem, and Pama Nyingthik, along with other practices.

Tiger Nest Monastery

Taktsang Monastery at Paro: Bhutan 

The Fire at Taktsang Monastery

The Dubkhang, the most sacred sanctum of the Taktsang Monastery in Paro, has been found to be safe and a number of the most precious relics and treasures have been retrieved from the ruins of the main monastery, which was severely damaged by fire on Sunday, April 19, 1998.

The Tshennyi Lopon (Master of Dialectical Studies) of the Dratshang (Central Monk Body) explained that the sacred essence of Taktshang was the Dubkhang (also called the Pelphug), the holy cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 8^th century (as did many other renowned saints), and the Kudung (relics) of his disciple, Langchen Pelkyi Singye, which had been placed deep in the rocks under the site of Kudung Chorten.

The sanctity of Taktshang cannot be destroyed by the natural elements, be it fire or water; the Tshennyi Lopon told Kuensel. On April 23, His Majesty the king visited Taktshang and saw the Dubkhang and the religious artifacts that had been recovered. His Majesty commanded the Dratshang, Rabdeys, Shedras and Drubdas, Gomdeys, and all the other religious institutions in the country to offer the Guru Soendoep Dungjor (the offering of 100 million prayers to Guru Rimpoche).

The Chairman of the Special Commission for the Cultural Affairs, Lyonpo Dago Tshering said that, as commanded by His Majesty the King, the government would reconstruct the monastery with its original aura, authenticity and architectural splendor.

The sacred essence of Taktshang, one of the most revered Buddhist nyes (sacred sites) in the world, was established in 8^th Century by Guru Rinpoche. The Guru, in the wrathful from the Guru Dorji Drollo, subdues the evil spirits and then meditated in the Pelphug in Taktsang.

Other saints who mediated in the cave include the Milerapa, Phadampa Sangye, Machi Labdoenma, Thangtong Gyalpo  and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.

The main Temple around the Pelphug in Taktsang was constructed in 1692 by the Great 4th ^Desi Tenzin Rabgyel in between 1961 and 1965 it was renovated by Je Sheldrup Yozer and the latest additions were made in 1982.

The Drupkhang is opened once a year during an annual ceremony. The Tshennyi Lopon explained that 71 members of the monk body performed the annual Guru prayers for 21 daysin the fifth Bhutanese month. As in the past, the prayers will be performed this year as usual in the Dubkhang.

The Tshennyi Lopon said that if the destructions of the Taktshang monastery was a deliberate evil deed then it was a reflection of the decline of the Dharma. But if the monastery was destroyed by natural causes then it is natural for people to perceive it as an inauspicious sign.

“However, what is most important is that the people should avoid superstition and doubt and place their faith in Guru Rimpoche and the Triple Gem,” said Tshennyi Lopon. “We can only safeguard our nation and spiritual heritage with genuine faith in Dharma.”

Rinchen Bumpa Monastery

Temple

Hike to Rinchen Bumpa Monastery in Kurtoe Dungkhar

About a two hours hike from the road to the sacred place name called Rinchen Bumpa, the Vase of Jewel.  Which is a fascinating and charming place located on the hill top of mountain side. It is very pleasing and mind-elevating place that makes ones hair stand on end at the instant one reaches the site. It is a place where the beings with karmic connection had attained accomplishment, a place where every beings pay homage and make offerings, and where sinful cleanse their defilement. The place where Guru Rinpoche lived for three months is located towards the west of Khen valley. The place was visited by Omniscient Longchen, Pedma Lingpa and was prophesized by great emanation RatnaLingpa.

There is a white cliff bearing the shape of stupa, (chorten) and many facial images of wrathful and peaceful Buddhas. There is a foot print of Yehsey Tshogyel and a possession of Moen Mo Tashi Khe-Doen and many other concealed treasures. A Lamp of Kalpa (aeon) is also there, a cave of Samten (meditation or concentration) and numbers of foot prints of Guru Rinpoche. There is Yeshey Tshogyel’s meditation cave called “point of a knife” and other meditation caves and caverns. The hill behind named “smile at sight” looks a lot like a heap of grain. Chagtshel Gang “a hill of prostration” and Lu len gang “a chanting hill” exist.

There is a place known to be a cremation ground, where, at the nightfall, all the eight classes of god and demon assemble. Vultures, carnivores in huge number gather. The river resounds “Hoo, Hung and Joo”. Eight classes of god and demon are said to be circumambulating. Hills and trees are bent towards it. As perceived by Terton Choeching Lingpa in a vision, there is the trident of Guru Padma Sambhava and the print of Kapala, the skull, the print of a fang of Ruta thrust downward. There are two foot prints of hero (pawo) and Dakini and much pleasurable display of spontaneously arisen images.

ü  Whoever makes feast offerings at this sacred site will attain the supreme taste of meditative stabilization.

ü  Offering of flower and incense will obtain beautiful body figure and sweet odor.

ü  Offering of scented water and makes sacrificial offerings will be rewarded with decent retinue and wealth.

ü  Offering of songs and music will have voice as pleasant as the melody of Brahma.

ü  Whosoever renders service to this sacred site will enjoy the pleasure of the Lord of Immense Wealth (Zambala) for countless number of lifetimes.

Rangjung Town

Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery

Rangjung Woesel Cholling Monastery

Rangjung town is tiny town which was located in Eastern part of Bhutan under Tashigang District. It is about 18 km drive towards Northern part of Bhutan and town falls under the Shongphu Geog and Sakteng, Merak, Phongmay, Radhi and Bidung of five other Geog come to this town for shopping. In a small community people are very friendly and kind hearted. The language they speak is Sharchop. In the same town there is very famous and well known of the people of Bhutan and worldwide Monastery name call Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery.  The monastery was founded by His Eminence Dungsey Garab Dorje Rinpoche in the year 1989 with few monks and nuns. The objective of monastery is to provide a conducive haven for the study of Buddha dharma as expounded in the Dudjom New Treasure Lineage and carry out dharma activities for the benefit of the Buddhist community in and abroad the country. It has a flourishing community with branches monasteries and retreat centers. The Monastery traces its root to the Gelong Gonpa which was established by Rinpoche and H.H. Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche his father. Gompa or Temple is situated in a mountainous region.

After H.H. Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche departed from Bhutan, the Bhutanese fervently requested Rinpoche to remain and turn the dharma wheel of Dudjom New Treasure Lineage in the monastery. Rinpoche, realizing the deep faith and genuine devotion of the Bhutanese, accepted the heavy responsibility to continue the dharma activities and welfare services for the Buddhist fraternity living in and around the monastery.