khenpo & the Calendar

Kunzang Shedrup Choling Retreat Center 

The time driven event sprees from the last little full stop I put on my university paper are reflections in self-nod but not in forms of any kind. I have become a part of the sum in some erstwhile negligible subject at times, a screen of mockery and inspiration rarely and one cynical bottle of non-spirited wine infrequently.

Khenpos/Lamas/Rinpoches in general runs life in rearing or rendering support to the community/mass while individual gets benefited along. Readers, preserve your odd thinking aside for a while even if you have experienced the bitter sweetness of them or you were victimized once. Do not demean on their spending and curse their driving ability.

Well, the Khenpo I intend to share is my brother Rigzin Wangchuk, who studied in Simtokha then and completed his Buddhist Philosophy in Schechen Monastery in Nepal and Basic English Communication studies from Santa Rosa College in the US. Decade back, he undertook the arduous project of Retreat Center in Kheng Tsheldang, Zhemgang.

I have become part of him along his windows of light; scrolling up and down the scenes, contributing in words and words of mouth, getting favored randomly but seldom, learning varying subjects and objects, filming and documenting his and mine together and off course some financial aid in keeping me running.

I have noticed many young people from my village who contributed labor in starting phase of the project are in colleges and some started earning. The project took its toll. The prolong attributes to no road connectivity, scarce and long transportation of the raw materials and lagging timely budget. The project is 70 percent structurally complete today. The expenses were harsh on Khenpo. Beneficiaries are scattered. Benefactors are minimal. By default or fault, no direct support of any kind received from L&C Government. There was a time when khenpo had to borrow money and clear up the bills. One good about him I know is not delaying the payment on the work completed. Like any lams in Bhutan, he would not stop complaining and asking for adjustments. 

Now, the warm sun devours gleam at this corner of the secluded place. The main temple and retreat houses propel the existence of Kunzang Shedrup Choling Retreat Center. The vibration of Dharma wheel turning. Khenpo’s bald forehead enhanced. Happiness wrinkles filled up on my old parents. Everyone quenched and comforted to the least.

The Center started the retreat program since 2015; first batch of the practitioners graduated and second batch progressing well. Short retreat program through proper consent and discussion are available for the monks and the Gomchens. The Center got enough space. Monthly stipends are arranged for the main programs, short programs are to consider on case wise. If you would like to become part of the sum, you are welcome to be benefactors (Jinda).

The main temple is in the process of getting its parts fixed; the soft floor marble laid few years ago by Jojo Jowchu from Paro, who dedicated his one year working on concrete and the walls. Kinga Wangchuk did the wood paintings of the inner and outer of the main temple. He continues to paint the statues currently. Jinzo Wangdi from Nayphu, Paro spent years in molding and sculpting statues.  Initially the temple had Guru (7 feet), Kilaya (Phurp- 6feet), Dorji Phakmo (5 feet). Three more statues of 4 feet each (viz. Pema Lingpa, Longchenpa, and Gonpo Manning) are added and installed recently. Shingzo Lopen Lhatu from Gangteng's contribution on wood-work  was commendable. Khenpo is working on the dzungs for the new ones at the Center these days.

Paintings of the statues are ongoing, work progressing well. Summer and the rain are around. The place is warm and humid. The Center intends to plant perennial trees and fruits within the premises. Ideas and information on what could breed best in the area are welcome again.

The major chunk of the budget on the last phase is Wall Paintings, the estimates Khenpo receives from Local wall painting contractors in Bhutan are enormous I was told. I could be negligible subject on this but yes I could document gratitude and report as a story. I could direct you and influence him the helping hands are never to be forgotten. He is a lethal believer of Cause and the Karma, offers the best he could and makes sure he returns the favor as he would like receiving onto.

I have written in the past for him and writing now for the image he built, self-esteem he raised on me and to us the family, shares the virtues he is working non-stop and the hard work he puts up in gathering fund for his project. If you would like to help him in some ways, please get in touch with him. I will help him write Thank you Messages.

You could also check this for similar content & photo comparison.  

https://pinthepen.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-little-dedication-to-my-brother-and.html

Main Temple

Zow Lhatu from Gangteng

L-R: Ap Tshewang ( My dad, Jinzo Wangdi, Tsi-Zo Ap Jochu, Jinzo Assistant, Ugyen Wangda (me)

Vajra-Kilaya

Guru

Dorji Phakmo

Villagers collecting Timber 

First Batch of Retreat Practitioners 

Khenpo with Village kids who have come to contribute labor 

Nangtens

The Gasa Dzong Lake

I made a short visit to Gasa in the early year of 2018. The places and sights of small town are vivid. What wasn’t convincing was the Lake by the side of the Gasa Trashi Thongmon Dzong. Here is the link to my journal on my Gasa trip:

https://pinthepen.blogspot.com/2018/01/gasa-land-of-trashi-thongmon.html

I am sharing the unacquainted information on the Landmark of the Gasa Dzong, the Beautiful Lake, I read in the book named “Seeds of Faith.” Some could relate, few may not consider and I added to my learning. It is about The Legend of Damchen Gomo:

Damchen Gomo is believed to be progeny of Rahula, the supreme Planet King, and the lake Goddess (Tso-men). Because of personal merits of his Parents, Damchen Gomo was filled with egocentric pride. A macho subject.  

When Drupthob Terkhungpa, potent with power and strength, tried to subdue Damchen Gomo, he transformed into an ant. Drubthop miraculously entered into the rectum of the ant, subdued and said to the Gomo, “Your place of dwelling is in the direction of Lhomon (Bhutan). You should go there.”  To this, Damchen Gomo requested drupthob, “since my mother is a lake Goddess, I need a lake to live in.” Then the Drubthop drank the lake in Tibet which was said to be mother of Damchen Gomo and spread/taken it out at the present site behind Gasa Dzong.

Gasa lake: Behind the Dzong 

Yongla Goenpa

Incepted as Nyingma Monastery then, the present opulence through Royal Government of Bhutan’s support, Yongla Goenpa stood through times and today outshines the odd history. Reconstruction started in 2012 over 5 years and today’s prominence goes to local Artisans; to name few, painter Lopen Pema Wangdi from Zhemgang and Sculptor Lopen Sangay from Paro.

Officially named Riwo Pelbar Dargeychhoeling Gonpa and widely known as Yongla Gonpa was founded by Khedrup Jigme Kundel on the instructions passed onto him by his Master Rigzin Jigme Lingpa.  It is believed that Yongla Lam Dorji Jamtsho first built the Goenpa in 1736 after a year Khedrup Jigme Kundel passed away. 

The ground floor houses the local deity Dhoenyen Zangpo and Kaley Yongba far inside alter. The shrine named as Droley Lhakhang as it holds within thousands of miniature Dorji Drolo statues with other larger Harsum Maagdhu, Dorji Drolo and Phurbha Lhatshog. The top floor holds Zhabdrung, Guru Rinpoche and Chenrigzee in order.

How to get there?

15Km from Pema Gatshel town towards Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang National Highway, Yongla Goenpa bloom post the mountain ridge overlooking valleys of Dungsam. It is half an hour drive to the monastery from Tselingore Junction.  

How it got name Yongla?

The oral tradition has it that Khedrup Jigme Kundel from Darlung Kha in Wang, Thimphu (let me know if anyone knows of the place in Thimphu)  was instructed by his master Rigzin Jigme Lingpa to look for place resembling that of Tsari in Tibet where he was to teach Buddha Dharma. Khedrup Jigme Kundel accompanied by Khandro Dechen Gyalmo travelled from Tibet through Bumthang looking for the place. While they reached the present site, Khedrup Kundel asked Khandro if this is the right place they walk through valleys and mountains. Khandro responded “Yong Yong” (meaning Yes Yes). Thus the name Yongla as it prospers today.

Who were here?

One of Local deities Kaley Yongba, I couldn’t ascertain whether he is (Kaley-Black, Yongba-Stupid or Kaley Yongba -Stupidly Strong). People from Pema Gatshel, please accept my apology and would welcome your comments; good or bad.

I learnt late Lam Sonam Zangpo was here in 1960s and assuming his contributions must be immeasurable. Dujom Rinpoche visited the site in 1970s and the present name of the Dzongkhag Pema Gatshel (meaning: The Blissful Land of the Lotus) was given. What name it would have had known with before? 

What happens there?

The Famous annual Phurbai Drupchen then started during Descending Day of Lord Buddha, with the support from the people’s harvest. However, now it is scheduled during the month of September, more grandeur with support from the State. Pema Gatshel monastic body moves here during the summer while its unfathomable cold on the top in winter keeps them at the Dzongkhag.  

Observations:

The architectural design, structural facilities (Car parking, hostels and washrooms), location, public ground, road from the highway, statues and the mural paintings are awe-inspiring.  The scenes from the top are magnificent during bright day light.  

On the contrary as a usual custom in the religious sites (not all but mostly) in the country, I noticed two caretaker/Koenyer are not well acquainted to the Lhakhang. Three of us were only visitors that moment; I thought I would return a happy man. They didn’t have explanations at all except they told us name of the statues when we requested to say something about it as it was our first.  It wasn’t even about language barrier, they were fluent on Dzongkha.  

It would be good for the temple and the Culture Preservation if we would have well learned caretaker/koenyer in all the religious temples/monasteries/institutions dedicated to the disseminating proper information to the visitors.