Bhutan: Glory of Thubten Choeling Lhakhang monastery restored after years of effort
Oct 25, 2023
Thimphu [Bhutan], October 25 : After years of painstaking work and devotion, the ancient monastery of Bhutan, Thubten Choeling Lhakhang--known as Lam Changdhue Drakpa's spiritual seat--has been meticulously restored to its former splendour, according to Bhutan Live.
A magnificent journey that started in 2019 under the guidance of the former Tshogki Lopen, Dorji Rinchen, came to an end with this ceremony.
Je Khenpo presided over the Thubten Choeling Lhakhang's consecration ceremony today in Wangdue Phodrang's Gase Tshogom Gewog, marking a historic occasion.
In Bhutan's rich cultural and religious history, the Thubten Choeling Lhakhang, which dates back to the 15th century, has a special place. Nevertheless, this holy place had suffered damage from time's ravages over the ages. Realising how important it was to preserve this priceless piece of Bhutanese history, the restoration project was started in 2019 and gave the old monastery new life, according to Bhutan Live.
A notable feature of this restoration work is the significant input from Dorji Rinchen, the former Tshogki Lopen.
Along with giving his time and talent, he also contributed a sizeable amount of money to the effort. His generosity and dedication to protecting Bhutan's cultural treasures contributed an amazing 70 per cent of the total budget or 110 million ngultrums. The remaining funding came from government assistance as well as contributions from overseas sources.
Twenty per cent of the funding was contributed by foreign contributors, indicating that Bhutan's rich cultural legacy is recognised internationally. The backing of the restoration project by the Bhutanese government demonstrates their dedication to maintaining the historical and spiritual sites of their country.
Bhutan's unwavering dedication to its cultural history is symbolised by the renovated Thubten Choeling Lhakhang, which now stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity.
In addition to commemorating the rebirth of a historical site, this consecration ceremony reaffirms the country's spiritual foundation. This occurrence is significant because it serves as a reminder of the value of protecting cultural assets around the globe, even beyond the boundaries of Bhutan, reported Bhutan Live.
The former Tshogki Lopen, international benefactors, and the Bhutanese government have demonstrated how important it is for us to work together to preserve and develop our common history.
