The renovation works of Dhadoling Goenpa, which is about 350 years old, in Jieu-phu in Loong-nyi Gewog in Paro will begin soon. The groundbreaking ceremony was held recently.
Dhadholing Goenpa in Jieu-Phu is believed to be founded by Lam Neten Jangchub Zangpo from Tibet and he is said to have meditated for years. After the lam died, the Goenpa was handed to the People of Jieu-phu.
However, as people got more engaged in farms, the goenpa was left unattended. In 2015, villagers offered the Goenpa to Trulku Jigthub.
“When people handed me the Goenpa, it was in bad condition. They had difficulty taking care of the Goenpa and didn’t have time to make offerings. The statues and relics were all on the floor. For now, I temporarily constructed an altar,” he said.
“After approval from the home ministry, we will be first constructing Drasha which will accommodate around 70 monks. And then we are planning to start a shedra.”
With the opening of the sherda, the villagers hope that shortage of monks while performing religious activities will be addressed.
“It’s very difficult to get monks while conducting religious rituals. If there are more monks in the Sherda, we don’t have to hire vehicles and travel to other monasteries to get monks. It will be helpful,” Passang Namgay said.
Today the Goenpa has around 20 monks. The renovation work is expected to be complete by 2021.
