His Royal Highness Gyaltshab graced the consecration of Riwang Choeling Monastery at Khoma Gewog in Lhuentse yesterday. Goshri Gyaltshab Rinpoche presided over the ceremony. Ashi Yeatso Lhamo, Yab Dasho Dhondup Gyaltshan, Yum Sonam Choki and Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche were also present.
Festooned with colours, the monastery welcomed His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab in a traditional Chipdrel procession.
More than a hundred people, including tourists and sponsors, attended the consecration. Hundreds of people from Khoma Gewog and other parts of the country also gathered for the ceremony.
The two-storey monastery houses statues of Buddha Sakyamuni and Buddha Amitabha.
Lama Singye, a native of Pangkhar in Lhuentse, founded the monastery in 1925. It is now looked after by Khenpo Thinley Dorji, son of the late Lama Wangchen Namgyel.
The monastery was badly damaged in the 2014 earthquake. Reconstruction began in 2015 after the government granted permission. Since then, the monastery and its sacred objects have been restored.
Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin of Riwang Choeling Monastery said Khenpo Thinley Dorji completed his religious studies at Gyalwang Karmapa’s monastery in India. He then completed a three-year, three-month retreat under the guidance of Gyaltshab Rinpoche.
“Following his master’s advice, he established a religious foundation in Malaysia. With support from his students and sponsors, the monastery was rebuilt from the ground up,” said Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin.
There are also plans to establish a monastic school at the monastery.
“Under the guidance of Khenpo Thinley Dorji, our lhakhang has been beautifully rebuilt, both inside and out. It will benefit all sentient beings. Our gewog also faces a shortage of monks. With the monastery completed and plans to establish a monastic school, we hope to address this shortage,” said Dorji, a resident of Khoma Gewog in Lhuentse.
During the ceremony, Goshri Gyaltshab Rinpoche conferred the title of Choeje Lam, meaning Lord of the Dharma, on Khenpo Thinley Dorji.
Namgyel Wangchuk, Lhuentse
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