Vairochana Rinpoche Ngawang Jigme Jigten Wangchuck presided over the consecration ceremony of the newly constructed Thinleychoeling monastery in Dongkokha village under Talo Gewog, yesterday. Works to construct the two-storied Thinleychoeling monastery began in July this year.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and other members of the royal family were also present during the ceremony.
The monastery located a couple of minutes drive from the Punakha Dzong viewpoint was constructed under the royal patronage of Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Yum Thinley Choden. With around 41 households, Dongkokha village did not have a monastery until today.
“We did not have a Lhakhang here at all. And today, with the help from Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Yum Thinley Choden, other royal family members and support from various generous contributors, within the limited time we have completed the construction of the monastery. I would like to thank each and everyone engaged in the construction of the monastery,” said Yonten Lopen Trulku Thinley.
The people of Dongkokha village under Talo Gewog expressed their happiness and gratitude on the successful completion of the monastery.
“Earlier, we didn’t have a Lhakhang here in our village. All we had was a small house where we offered our prayers to appease our protective deities. People from other parts of the country also come here and make their seasonal offerings to the protective deities. Now that we have a beautiful new monastery built here, I am extremely happy,” said Kinley Tshering.
“Earlier we had to go all the way to Khurathang to perform funeral rites and for other religious purposes. Now that we have a monastery here with a Lam and monks we need not have to worry about it. We have beautiful Lhakhang along with a guest house. We are very thankful to our Trulku and Ashi for the monastery. We are very happy,” added Tshewang Namgay.
The monastery has a guest house and a separate room to offer butter lamps. Meanwhile, the residential home for the Lam and the caretaker is currently under construction and is expected to be complete by the end of January next year.
Passang Dorji
