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Showing posts from June, 2023

The Taag Lhakhang

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 There is a small one-storied lhakhang about 200 meters from the Thangbi Lhakhang. The author could not authenticate the name of the lhakhang but the locals call it as Taag Lhakhang. It is not known whether Taag refers to the horse or the tiger (In Dzognkha). The lhakhang was built by Lam Ngopa, a great Tibetan master in 14th century. When Lam Ngogpa reached the top of the hill above the village, he threw a dumpling-shaped rock to check his prophecy. Descending down to the valley, Lam Ngogpa found the rock at the present location. Taking it as a good omen, Lam Ngogpa built the small temple.  Lam Ngogpa is said to have established a lhakhang in Dhur, about 9kms from Kujey and Lamlung, another Lhakhang in Tang. Both the temples are in Bumthang. Lam Ngogpa was one of the closest disciple of Lam Marpa. Lam Ngogpa is also reflected in Milarepa's namthar as the latter's friend who studied under the same master.  Lam Ngogpa's Kudung chorten The lhakhang houses the Buddhas of Three

Thangbi Lhakhang (Lhendrup Choeling)

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The Thangbi Lhakhang was built in 15 th century by the Fourth Zhamar Rimpoche Choekyi Drakpa (an important  Lama of Karma Kagyud sect), which corresponds to iron rat year of the lunar calendar (1480). Elders in the locality say that Terton Pema Lingpa also had his hand in the construction of the lhakhang. The presence of the iron chain at the entrance and the time (1480) supports the claim. Some sources denies the claim. The source, however believes that the lhakhang was later taken over by Pema Lingpa, thus becoming a Nyingma lhakhang.   No written or oral history clarifies why the lhakhang was built at the location. However, records has another name for the lhakhang, Lhendrup Choeling. The lhakhang got the name in 1730 when the first floor was added to the ground floor. The project was initiated by the 8 th Zhamar Choekyi Dendrup and blessed by 12 th Karmapa Jangchub Dorji. However, the locality name has overtaken it and thus known as Thangbi Lhakhang. During the time of the f