| TSANGPHU DHENDUP CHOELING MEDITATION CENTER
In 1730, Lama Sangay Zangpo visited the place where Dhendup Choding monastery is located today. Lama Sangay Zangpo was a staunch follower of Togden Shakya Shri. After his death, he chose to be reborn as Lama Kuenzang Chophel’s son.
When he was 18 years of age, he was enrolled as a monk in Punakha and he completed his studies in 15 years time which was considered an extra-ordinary feat given the vastness of syllabus against a lot of hardships.
It is said that his teacher sent him back to his village after he completed his studies because they believed that he was destined to benefit the people of the eastern Bhutan. While returning to his village, he decided to build a monastery at Tsanphu which is located at some distance from his village. The place where the monastery was built used to be frequented by the yetis. The monastery became very famous but there was no one to take care of I after his death and it is now in ruins.
However, it was quite surprising to see that his bedroom, his study and important religious artifacts have remained intact although other buildings have all crumbled down.
Many years later, Lama Nidup Gyelpo, a disciple of Togden Shakya Shri was appointed as a Lama for that monastery. However nothing is known about the person who appointed him. The appointment revived the faith in the Buddha dharma but it did not last long and the monastery continued to be left neglected for years at stretch.
When H.E. Gyeltshen Trulku found the monastery later, there was nothing but the ruins covered by tall plants that had grown overtime.
In 1992, Lam Neten of Mongar and H.E. Gyeltshen Trulku renovated the monastery and also built hostel which could accommodate 18 monks, a place to practice yoga, kitchen, guest house and a store. The narrow footpath was also expanded to allow mules to transport food supplies. Today, the Government is sponsoring the monks by paying for their food and other necessities.
There are many people meditating here with support from the monastery. Each of them spends at least six to nine years in meditation. The monastery is provided with solar lighting and telecommunication facilities and is connected with road with the donations that were collected from general public.
At present there are 12 Practioners at the center. |
