Consecration: His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab, Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, accompanied by Ashi Yeatso Lhamo, graced the Tashi Rabney (consecration ceremony) of the newly constructed statue of Phurpa (Vajra Kiliya) Palchhen Dorje Zhoenu at the Thegchhog Namdrol Ugyen Chholing monastery in Drametse, Mongar on October 17.

Pema Lingpa Foundation constructed the 10-feet tall statue at the cost of Nu 4.8 million (M) in Nepal. A seven-feet tall Thangthong Gyalpo statue was also constructed at Drametse.

The statues were constructed to commemorate the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo and for the wellbeing of the country.

HRH offered prayers in the lhakhang for the wellbeing of His Majesty the King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the country and all sentient beings. Later, HRH interacted with more than 2,000 people at the function. HRH also granted a Tokha.

The local people offered tshogchhang. Speaker of the National Assembly, Jigme Zangpo, members of Parliament from Mongar, Lam Netens and dzongdags of eastern dzongkhags attended the programme.

On the sideline, HRH inspected the ongoing renovation works of the monastery’s Utse and construction of new structures.

Following the command of His Majesty The King, the existing Shedra at Thegchhog Namdrol Ugyen Chholing is being upgraded to a Buddhist college. The Shedra is currently offering 8-year (class I-VIII) Buddhist studies. It will hereafter offer higher level of Buddhist studies in line with the goendey’s heritage of Nyingma Peling tradition of Buddhism.

The construction works for the college include construction of library, classrooms, dormitory, conference hall, administrative office, kitchen, and dining hall.

The monastery was founded by Terton Pema Lingpa’s daughter Ani Choeten Zangmo, who initially founded her first retreat centre at Drametse Dubchhu goenpa, Mongar in 1511 AD.

The monastery has been serially expanded to the current structure over the centuries to accommodate the increasing number of disciples, devotees and dharma practitioners. The monastery is headed by His Eminence Peling Sungtrul Jigdral Kunzang Pema Dorje Rinpoche, the 11th incarnation of Terton Pema Lingpa and has 140 monks including 46 gomchens.

Tashi Phuntsho, Drametse