Description:
Sangachoeling Monastery In the beginning Sanga choeling was established for the monks who chose Buddhists Tantric Wrath Practice and Learning (Tib;Ngagchen) within Ngingma’s Dzongchen Linage. Later, in between the female Buddhist practitioners (Nuns) from the villages lived in this monastery and practiced nunnery which might have begun from the reign of Chogyal Namgyal Phintsog(1733-1780) and lasted for long until Sidkyong’s Period. Subsequently, the nunnery disappeared and the monastery was restored to monks.
Blog Content:
Distance 2 k.m. from Pelling is the second oldest monastery in Sikkim built in the year 1695 by Lhatsun Namkha Zigme situated on a hill amidst thick pine forest opposite to Pemayangtse monastery. The admission in this monastery is limited to the families from Bhutia, Lepcha who are Buddhist by faith and the ethnic communities of Sikkim. Record: in the early period there used to be the monks admitted also from the limbo community along with Bhutia and lepcha. Due to its historical importance, location advantage and spiritual sanctity Sanga choeling always enjoys greater respect and faith from the devotees. There used to be a tradition of sending a learned monk from Pemayangtse monastery to each of its subordinate monastery to hold the throne of Vazra master (Tib; Dorjee Lobon) and Sangachoeling is one of them. Though many monasteries discontinued this tradition Sangachoeling still retains it. The present Vazra Master who was enthroned in the year 2007 is Yap Pon Lop Lama Kunga Tshering who had already passed Gay Dol Rank and is one of the revered senior monks at Pemayangtse. The enrolment of the monks at Sangachoeling crosses some hundreds combining three categories that are Senior, Junior and the child monks. The senior monks who had attained learning through old and traditional methods are available here, where as, most of the young monks who have got opportunity to study in the higher learning centers within or outside state cannot be seen at this monastery except when they come back during holidays. The child monks are seen to be in good number living at the monastery as they have a monastic school attached to the monastery where they do primary level learning. The monks of this monastery are from the villages called Sindrang, Khorong, Lingchom, Tigjya , the places at the average distance of about 5 to 10 kilometers from the monastery. In the beginning Sangachoeling Monastery In the beginning Sanga choeling was established for the monks who chose Buddhists Tantric Wrath Practice and Learning (Tib;Ngagchen) within Ngingma’s Dzongchen Linage. Later, in between the female Buddhist practitioners (Nuns) from the villages lived in this monastery and practiced nunnery which might have begun from the reign of Chogyal Namgyal Phintsog(1733-1780) and lasted for long until Sidkyong’s Period. Subsequently, the nunnery disappeared and the monastery was restored to monks.
In the course of change finally the Buddhist traditions , rituals and philosophy and prayers which are practiced in Sikkim and bearing their root at Pemayangtse Monastery also became the permanent practices and learning at Sangachoeling except that mask dances and bigger rituals are not done here. Sangachoeling area also has a three hundred years old Buddhist crematorium which is very sacred . The site was blessed with the cremation of Lhatsun Namkha Zigme after he went in Parinirwana . Since then, it bears a name Dhuthoe Silwar Tshar and it became ever a public crematorium for the people of Buddhist faith. Also after Lhatsun’ s death his costumes, worship articles were preserved in this monastery in the form of sacred relices. Following the frequent attacks of Gorkha Warriors from Nepal Lead by Prithivi Naryan Sha those relices of Lhatsun Namkha Zigme were secretly transferred to Tumlong Monastery. Quite recently rebuilt after it was damaged by severe earthquake this monastery still bears its originality and most holy atmosphere . The very old statues and Paintings are its attractions and its location advantage where the views are wonderful . The area is very appropriate for meditation practice. Discover a big flat stone lying on the side of the monastery overlooking the panoramic view of country side and mountains. This is the best view point for early morning sunrise and for enjoying the view. Nowadays there is motor able road and jeeps can go right up to the monastery.
Tags: Sanghak Choeling Monastery in Pelling, Sang Choling Monastery, monasteries in the Northeast Indian, the oldest Monastery of Sikkim, picturesque view, Buddhist Monastery
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Sanghak Choeling Monastery in Pelling Sang Choling Monastery monasteries in the Northeast Indian