Introduction
Tsheldang Ogyen Chhoeling retreat center[Goenpa] is magnificently situated on the heart of the hillock behind Nyakhar village under Nangkor gewog which falls amongst the valley of Khengrig Namsum in Zhemgang, one of the central district in Bhutan and was found by Neykhardung. The Goenpa was initially founded in 20th century by building two storied lhakhang[Buddhist Temple] in 1985 corresponding to Wood Female Ox year of 16th Rabjung cycle. Later another two storied lhakhang was newly constructed in 2001 corresponding to Iron Female Snake Year of 17th Rabjung cycle and both those Buddhist temples can be seen today.
In 1995 during His Eminence Gangteng Trulku Rimpochoe’s visit, the entire Lhakhang with the property was offered to Rimpoche by Mani Dolma, mother of Lam Chhoeying Lhendup and until today it was under proper care of His Eminence Gangteng Trulku Rimpchoe.
Today the Lhakhang host a three days Tshechu in 12th lunar month during which various mask dances and Thongdrel of Guru Rimpochoe are displayed to the public.
Background
About a century ago, late Lam Chhoeying Lhendrub’s father Drubcho Dorji or Tsheldang lama meditated in a hermitage at the ruins which can be still seen to this day located at a walking distance of His Eminence’s residence. It is said that while few disciples who resided there were practicing rituals and providing services through various spiritual activities in the communities, there were many horses and cattle nearby their residence which were offered by villagers in return to their services. Witnessing increase in the number of horses and cattle, few evil-minded person raised their hermitages was shifted into the fire for three times and thus following the continuous tragic fire hazard the hermitage was shifted to a place called Pong, below the Tsheldang village where presently Aum Pema Lhamzom’s house is located.
As mentioned above, late Lama Chhoeying Lhendup built two Lhakhang[ old and new] and subsequently his mother handed over the entire property to H.E Gangteng Trulku Rimpoche.
Structure of the Lhakhang
The two Lhakhangs were built on the hillock that resembles a giant elephant elongating its nose surrounded by Turquoise Dragon in the left and right. On such amazing landscape, the two Lhakhangs [old and new] were built along with the monks residence, stupa of enlightment [Jangchub choten] and open ground to perform mask dances.
The old Lhakhang contains many important sacred objects including Guru Tshokhor Sum in the central, Buddha Shayamuni in the right and Phurba DorjiZhonu [ Vajrakilya ] in the left as main sacred relics.
While the sacred relics in the downstairs of newly built Lhakhang comprises of Sangay Tshepamey[ Buddha Amitayus] in the central, Jetsuen Drolma [Mother Tara] in the right and Sangda Chana Dorji[Vajrapani] statues in the left along with Thongdrel [Scroll paintings of Guru Rimpoche] and the upstairs of Lhakhang contains Guru Tshokhor Sum in the central, Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam and Tamdin Yabyum [hyagrive] in the right and ststue of Pema Lingpa, one amongst the five treasure king, Khandro Singay Dongche [Kurukuli] in the right along with the Goenkhang[ main inner shrine]. Moreover, the mural paintings of Lhakhang are so magnificent and bless everyone with the power to attain enlightenment merely upon seeing itself.
Community services
The Choedpa or Tshechu, which is an annual event for Khengri Namsum in general and specifically for Nyakhar and Tshedang village are organized every year on the same time from 13-16th of 10th lunar month. The ritual responsibilities on such occasion are carried out by Lam and monks of the Lhakhang along with retired monks from there.
Further, the monks of the Lhakhang involves in offering annual ritual [Lochoe] to please local deities and also conducts various rituals for both deceased and living persons in the villages under Khengrig Namsum.
Conclusion
Located in the remote area, the Lhakhang which has been built over 6 acres of land registered in the name of the relatives of Lam Chhoeying Lhendup was built in accordance to the prophecy of his root teacher Dzogchen Polokhen who prophesized ‘Gomchen[lay-monk],if you start religious activities in the place where there had been no religion at all, there will be immense benefits to all the sentient beings”
