Gonjang Monastery in Sikkim, India

Small kid rolling the prayer wheels and one can also see the Buddha statue inside the monastery.

Gonjang Monastery Terton Shakya Zangpo’s sixth reincarnation Rigzin Pema Choephel (1773-1836) studied from Rigzin Kunzang Dorje who was the spiritual son of previous Rinpoche. He was intelligent, kindhearted and very bold since his childhood. He was great scholar and poet had written many valuable texts. He also took renovations to the fabric of the Great Stupa as his predecessors.

In the early 19th century, it was Rigzin Pema Choephel who was also responsible to construct the first ever Gonjang Monastery at Tingkey, Tsang province which was named as “Gonjang Samten Choephug”. It is said that when Rigzin Kunzang Dorje (spiritual heart son of the fifth Yolmopa and the spiritual teacher of sixth Yolmopa) was under regorous meditation practice at a cave which is situated on the north of Zar and Phukut village in Tsang Tingkye, attained the stage of highest realization or complete accomplishment through his unwavering contampletion. 5th Yolmo Tulku Rigzin Thutop Dorje visited the cave and bestowed his fiscal teaching to his heart son Rigzin Kunzang Dorje along with many disciples. He was overjoyed by hearing the achievement of his heart son. He also blessed this cave as a sacred place or an ideal place for the establishment of Dharma center. In advance, he gave the name of Gonpa as “Gonjang Samten Choephug:”. (Gonjang – Monastery at north, Samten – contemplation, Choephug – sacred cave)

Hence the Gonjang Monastery came into being and thereafter successive Yolmo Tulkus were named as Gonjang Tulkus. Rigzin Pema Choephel dedicated his whole life in search of knowledges for the sake of others. He gave more important in spiritual and acadamic development. Therefore the construction of images and gonpas, collection of rare and invaluable scriptures, acadamic studies were his first priority, for these are the source of gaining insight knowledge. They represent the preservation of body, speech and mind of Buddha.

Xth Yolmopa the present Tingkey Gonjang Rinpoche is trained traditionally under several renowned Nyingmapa masters. After completing his studies and practices, three year retreat under the Guidance of H.H. Dodrup Rinpoche. His Chagzod Thardel Dorje initiated for the construction of Monastery. The foundation stone of Gonjang Monastery at Gangtok was laid by H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama in the year 1981. It was started from the small group of monk students in the Sheda. It has emerged as one of the prime center of Buddhist learning in Sikkim. The main objective of this organization is for the preservation and development of our rich culture in this part of the world.

Being rather backward and destitute the establishment of this organization is inevitable so as to promote and educate the younger generation both physically and mentally.

Our monastery cum Shedra was recognized and registered under Sikkim government. We have now about 100 students that are studying in the institute. Monk students are taught all kinds of monastic education along with Tibetan language and English. Comparative studies of Indian and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy based on moral values are taught. Gonjang Institute is for complete nine years course similar to other Nyingma institute like; H.H. Penor Rinpoche’s Nyingma Institute in Mysore, South India. Annual examinations are held every year. We also invite renowned scholars and Rinpoches to our Institute and organized talks and lectures on Buddhism, language, culture and religious discourse and other subject to impart and promote higher understanding of our profound teaching among our students.

Source: http://gonjangmonastery.org/

This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of 50, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...

Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at www.clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!

Reach us at rupindang @ gmail . com and [email protected]