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| Lamoi Goenpa |
Today I
bring you this brief narrative on one of the most important historical sites "Lhundrup
Samten Chhoeling" (Lamoi Goenpa) situated 40 minutes’ drive from Kangpara Gewog.
This piece is solely based on the written documents and verbal history that has
been passed down from generation to generation. Nothing contained herein is
derogatory or prejudiced to anybody/community. If any problems or
misunderstandings in ideas persist in relation to the contents, the concerned
reader shall simply ignore thereof.
Background and History
A truly blessed hidden place of treasure located at the end of
Tsephu ridge contrary to Zordung village has a very profound and rich history.
History describes this site as Dungkar Tsephu; a conch shaped landscape which
is blessed by the vision of Tokden Shakya Shri/Drubwang Shakya Shri-a great
Mahamudra and Dzogchen Master of Tibet.
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| Tokden Shakya Shri |
Tokden Shakya Shri was born and brought up at Drogdey Baerung
which is located near Dokham Chabdo Jampaling Lhadrak Ya Dzong in 1853 Female
Water Ox year. He was brought up in a Drukpa Kayu monastery under the
benevolent guidance of traditional masters Khamtruel Tenpe Nyima and Drubwang
Tsoknyi.
However, in the later age he met Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo from
which he received Dzogchen teachings (Rigpa Shedra, 2017). His disciple
gathered up to 700 and was famous for strict
discipline. Lama Moenlam Rabzang;
the founding father of Lhundrup Samten Chhoeling was one of them. Lama Moelam Rabzang was born in 1878, Male Soil Tiger year. His
birthplace was Bumthang Mangdue (understood in historical context that Mangdue
during that period was under Bumthang) Tansibbji Tsangkha.
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| Lama Moenlam Rabzang |
Lama Moenlam Rabzang travelled all the way up to Tibet to receive
teachings from his root Guru Tokden Shakya Shri. At one point of time, his Guru
in Tsari-Nye had a dream of having a temple at the end of Tsari Nye, an
auspicious vision for the liberation of Dzogchen teachings to the rest of the
world.
After attaining certain mahamudra attainment, in 1919 when Lama
Moenlam Rabzang was at Bja Khyiphu, his Guru asked him to return to his
homeland to fulfill his vision of having a temple straight to the end of Tsari-Nye. For his Guru, Lama
accepted
that he will find the site as envisioned. Therefore, for Lama’s prosperous life
and well-being for the construction of the temple, he was gifted with three precious relics/Nangtens to be interleaved
into the temple in three forms; Body, Speech and Mind.
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| Heart son of Lama M. Rabzang |
For the body it was Buddha Amitabha (Tsepamae ku), speech it was
gold written scripture and a religious bell for mind.
For the accomplishment of his guru’s dream, Lama came back to
Bhutan and wriggled to find this envisioned place. He walked all across eastern districts. Scorching sun and rain could not stop him from
sightseeing places to find a place straight to Tsari Nye. In most desperate and
worn-out state lama while returning from Yongla Goenpa in PemaGatshel, finally
reached Kangpara, Zordung and meditated at Zhudang Goenpa (an old temple can
still be seen at this place)
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| Kangpara villages from Ney Chenla |
However, something inauspicious (not specifically mentioned) has
happened in Lama’s meditation. So he decided that this place is not going to be
his ultimate destination for his Gurus prophecy.
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| Wangsingla, Ama Jomoi Phodrang |
One fine day, Lama met an old man and was called by name Tsetu. Lama
also asked the old man about the name of a mountain located contrary to Zhudang
Goenpa and the village just behind the mountain. The old man answered that it’s
called Tsephu and Yuelnye (now called as Zhurnye). From this, Lama realized the
auspiciousness of Tsesum (Tsepamae, Tsetu and Tsephu)
has finalized his destination at ZhurNye.
Lama then left Zhudang Goenpa to Tsephu and halt a night at
Karchungri (below Komphung) above Threphoong. His root Guru came in his vision,
clapped three times and spoke ‘do not be anguished my dear student, you are
about to find your destination’.
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| Footprint of Abi Pangki at Lamoi Goenpa |
The next day Lama went up to Tsephu and when he reached to a place
named Daniwoong (Cats Plain), he met with a cat and that cat is said to have
shown a unique playful character. The cat started rolling for a while and escorted
Lama down the slope till the place where temple can be found today. Then Lama
took this place to be the significant one to fulfill his teachers dream. In
1928, lama started the construction. To be continued......
It’s being said that this temple is as auspicious as the Tsari
Nye. To the east, there is Nyechhen Chenla blessed by Guru Rinpoche and
Wangsingla, Ama Jomoi Phodrang and towards west Maemae Pangzam another
protective deity which ensure peace and prosperity. We are all grateful for the continuous
blessings from all sorts of negative forces. 