A brief history of the Eu-tok Samdrupchhoeling Goemba at Shaba, Paro, Bhutan The Eu-Tok Samdrupchhoeling Goemba is believed to have been founded by Tertoen Rigzin Jatshoen Nyingpo and the construction of the monastery was done by his disciples Dorji Lingpa and Khu Oen in the 17th Century. The monastery is located at an altitude of about 2600 metres above sea level in Shaba, Paro. It is about 30 minutes drive from the Paro International Airport. Terton Rigzin Jatshoen Nyingpo was one of the five Tertons (treasure revealler) who came to Bhutan. The sacred Nangtens(treasures) seen in Yu-tok Samdrupchhoeling Monastery are: a set of Kanjur printed in Tibet on paper made from just one tree which was grew nearby the monastery, foot print on stone of Tertoen Rigzin Jatshoen Nyingpo, a statue of Dorsem Yabyum(Vajrasattva with consort) constructed with the blood from Khandro Yeshay Tshogyal’s nose, and many other nangtens. One important Nangten is the conch which is believed to stop hailstorm from destroying crops when blown in the direction of a coming hailstorm. The name Eu-Tok Goemba: "Eu" means turquoise, "tok" means apex or top and "goemba" means monastery. According to legend, Lam Ngawang Phuentsho, the re-incarnation of Terton Rigzin Jatshoen Nyingpo, had to use nine fire torches to reach the underground lake which is believed to exist beneath the Eu-tok-goenpa after entering from the pilgrimage entrance of Drak Karpo, located towards the eastern side of the goemba. It is said that Lam Ngawang had seen a large turquoise on the top of a golden pillar in the middle of the lake. Since the monastery was built right on top of that pillar, it was named as Eu-tok- Samdrupchhoeling as reflected in the Thram and biographies. Importance of Eu-Tok Goemba The area in and around Eu-Tok-Samdupchhoeling monastery are holy sites of Guru Rinpoche’s Ku (body), Sung(speech) and Thug(mind). They are Ku - Drak Karpo, Sung - Dho Chhoeten and Thug - Eu-Tok Goemba Behind the monastery is a sacred cremation ground and on the right side exists a meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche known as Thujey Drak. The drinking water for the monastery is the holy water(drupchhu) which comes from a conch like cliff. Above the monastery is Je Rigzin Nyingpo’s residence and the one below is Lam Ngawang Phuentsho’s seat. Eu-Tok Goemba also offers a magnificient view of most of the monasteries in the Paro valley. From here one can see Jakar Tokha in the south, Silu Goenpa and Pangpa Guru Lhakhang in the centre, Dzongdrakha lhakhang, Kidla Gungkarmoi drupkhang and Kidla Dechen Yangtse Goemba in the west, Zarchen Tshepamed Sungjoen Lhakhang, Kichhu Lhakhang, Sangchhen Chhoekhor in and Lateng Lhakhang in the north and Phurdrup Goenpa in the east. Once at the Eu-Tok Goemba, it also appears like all the important monasteries in the Paro valley are facing towards Eu-Tok Goemba and thus, this monastery is considered sacred and important by many believers.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:31:52 +0000