monks at gonjang monastery in gangtok performs during a morning prayer session.
info from internet:
In the early 19th century, it was Rigzin Pema Choephel who was also responsible to construct the first ever Gonjang Monastery at Tingkey, Tsang province which was named as “Gonjang Samten Choephug”. It is said that when Rigzin Kunzang Dorje (spiritual heart son of the fifth Yolmopa and the spiritual teacher of sixth Yolmopa) was under regorous meditation practice at a cave which is situated on the north of Zar and Phukut village in Tsang Tingkye, attained the stage of highest realization or complete accomplishment through his unwavering contampletion. 5th Yolmo Tulku Rigzin Thutop Dorje visited the cave and bestowed his fiscal teaching to his heart son Rigzin Kunzang Dorje along with many disciples. He was overjoyed by hearing the achievement of his heart son. He also blessed this cave as a sacred place or an ideal place for the establishment of Dharma center. In advance, he gave the name of Gonpa as “Gonjang Samten Choephug:”. (Gonjang - Monastery at north, Samten - contemplation, Choephug - sacred cave)
Hence the Gonjang Monastery came into being and thereafter successive Yolmo Tulkus were named as Gonjang Tulkus. Rigzin Pema Choephel dedicated his whole life in search of knowledges for the sake of others. He gave more important in spiritual and acadamic development. Therefore the construction of images and gonpas, collection of rare and invaluable scriptures, acadamic studies were his first priority, for these are the source of gaining insight knowledge. They represent the preservation of body, speech and mind of Buddha.
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{K:172232} 11/8/2009
