As stated by Vasubandhu “Noble doctrine of Buddha is classified into two categories of scriptures and realization”. Realizing three scriptural collections and threefold trainings of perfect Buddha’s teaching as a main origin and the basis of all sort of happiness in this universe and in order to preserve and promote Buddha dharma, His Eminence Gangteng Incarnate (Trulku) Rinpoche had a great inspiration and vision to establish a Retreat Centre (Drubdey). In the year 1988, Late Her Majesty the Queen Mother (Gyalyum) Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck made a spiritual trip to Gangteng Sang-ngag Choeling Monastery (Goenpa) corresponding to Earth Dragon year of 17th Rabjung cycle. It was during that time that Her Majesty also visited to Kuenzang Choeling Monastery founded by 7th incarnation of Gangteng Trulku Tenpay Nyinjed to which Her Majesty realized the deterioration of Pema Lingpa’s tradition of concealed treasures (Pedling) and commanded for the establishment of a Retreat Centre (Drupdey). Subsequently, Her Majesty personally informed His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo regarding the establishment of the Retreat Centre (Drubdey). Thus, as per the Royal approval and the generous funding support of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the residence for Retreaters and Retreat Teacher (lama) were successfully completed by the year 1990.
With the establishment of fixed deposit account to cater to the financial need of the retreat centre by Chief Abbot of Religious A airs of Bhutan His Holiness 68th Je Khenpo Kyabje Khyenchen Tenzin Dendrup Rinpoche, Her Majesty late Queen Mother (Gyalyum) Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck and Lopen Phurba Dorji had helped in instituting first batch of the retreat centres in the year 1990, Iron Horse year corresponding to 15th day of the 8th lunar month of 17th Rabjung cycle. The inaugural ceremony of the first batch of retreat centre (Drubdey) was led by His Holiness Kheynchen Tenzin Dendrup Rinpoche who became retreat teacher (lama) to bestow the oral transmissions and instructions of the Pema Lingpa’s Doctrine of Concealed Treasures (Pedling Terchoe) to nine Retreaters including H.E 9th Gangteng Trulku Rincpoche and His Eminence 11th Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche. They underwent three-year retreat and successfully completed in the year 1993.
For the second batch of three-year Retreaters, oral transmissions and instructions were bestowed by His Holiness Kheynchen Tenzin Dendrup Rinpoche and His Eminence 9th Gangteng Trulku Rincpoche and at the same time Lopen Drukdra Jamtsho, former Vajra Master (Dorji Lopen) of Gangteng College of Buddhist Studies was appointed as a Retreat Master and he continued to serve as Retreat Master and often delivers various discourses until today since 1993.
In 1995 His Eminence Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche decided to shift the centre of the Buddhist College at Kuenzang Chhoeling Monastery and the Retreat Hall was constructed on the beautiful location known as Jangchub Tenkha just adjacent to the monastery. In 1996, the third batch of a three-year retreat was led by Retreat Master and simultaneously, as per the instructions of H.E Rinpoche, the Retreat Master also developed retreat procedures with a focus to provide more opportunities to the monks of Gangteng College of Buddhist Studies, Tamzhing Lhalung Monastic Community (Dratshang), Drametse Gaeden Monastic Community (Dratshang) and various disciples of Pema Lingpa’s (Pedling) tradition. H.E Rinpoche continues to provide all ration allowances, bestow oral transmissions and religious discourses to all Retreaters.
The batch wise list of the Retreaters of Kunzang Choling Retreat Centre
– First batch (Nine Retreaters) – His Eminence Gangteng Reincarnate (Trulku) Rinpoche, His Eminence Mind incarnate Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche, Buddhist Teacher (Lopen) Drukdra Jamtsho, Jigme Loday, Choki Gyaltshen, Tenzin Kelzang, Ngedrup, Boetru and Jurmey Tshewang.
– Second batch (Eight Retreaters ) – Tshering, Phurba Dorji, Sherab Woezer, Dendup, Karma, Tshulthrim Loday, Sangay Dorji and Thinley Dorji.
– Third batch (Eight Retreaters ) – Passang Dorji, Tshewang Phuntsho, Dorji Tenzin, Khen Ngawang Loday, Chimi Kunley, Lop Sangag Yeshi, Tshultrhim Tharchin ad Lam Mani
– Fourth batch (Nine Retreaters ) – Nima Wangdue, Phuphu, Goenpo, Khenpo Penjor, Karma, Passang, Gelay, Thinley Dorji and Wangchuk Rinzin.
– Fifth batch (Nine Retreaters ) – Khentrul Sangay Yoezer, Khenpo Jigme Wangchuk, Khenpo Pema Wangchuk, Khenpo Karma Wangyel, Chador Wangchuk, Phurba Tshering, Pemba , Phuntsho Dorji and Karma.
– Sixth batch (Ten Retreaters ) – Khenpo Thinley, Khenpo Minjur Namgyel, Khenpo Tenzin Thinley, Khenpo (Khenthrul) Pema Dorji, Khenpo Karma Galey, Rinzin, Pemba, Gyeltshen, Pema Sherab and Karma Wangdue.
– Seventh batch (Thirteen Retreaters ) – Khenpo Sangay Tenzin, Khenpo Wangchuk Jamtsho, Khenpo Pema Tshewang, Khenpo Wangchuk, Khenpo Sonam Tobgye, Chador, Ugyen Tsheing, Tashi, Wangchuk, Pema Tshurlthrim, Dorji Wangdi, Ugyen Dorji and Tshulthrim Tenphel.
– Eighth batch (Fourteen Retreaters ) – Sonam Pelki, Loday Zangpo, Tashi, Sonam Dorji, Sangay, Trulku Sangay Chimi Rinchen, Tandin Dorji, Sonam Tshering, Sangay Ngedup, Namgay Wangdi, Sonam Thinley, Gyeltshen, Leki Dorji and Dorten Wangchuk.
– Ninth batch (Fourteen Retreaters ) –Khenpo Sonam Zangpo, Tshering Penjor, Sonam Ugyen, Chogyel Zangpo, Yeshey Loday, Tshering Penjor, Choeying Norbu, Chimi Penjor, Pema Jamtsho, Kuenzang Wangdi, Ugyen Tshering, Ngawang Dorji, Kunely Gyeltshen and Leki.
– Tenth batch (Fourteen Retreaters ) –Khenpo Singye Dorji, Phurba Tenzin, Pema Jamtsho, Tashi Tobgye, Nima Tashi, Trulku Tshewang Tenzin, Dorji Gyeltshen, Jigme Lhendup, Dophu, Yeshi Dorji, Tshering Wangdi, Yonten Phuntsho, Tashi Dorji and Ugyen Tenzin.
