About The Gompas (Monasteries ) of Sherpas
There are altogether 262 monasteries (including small ones) in the Sherpa region. They were constructed by those of the pions and devoted Sherpas who were adorned with good forlune and meritous deeds. Generally a monastery is a place where many monks live together, whereas Lha-kliang is a place where only sacred idols and scriptures are kept and no monks stay. But today the very connotation of the word monastery has changed and the meaning it once used to convey cannot be taken for granted any longer.There are different kinds of monasteries; some are big and some small. In the big monasteries. there are many monks. Monks will get a small amount of pocket money if the monastery is well off and rich with resources. On the other hand, monks would not stay long in a monastery which does not provide them with such pocket money. The Nunneries are totally separate from the monasteries and are run independently.In the bigger monasteries, they have their own separate rules and regulations. The authority holders are mainly the Lopon (the spiritual teacher), Umzed (monk who commands ritual or oral recitations), Gyerkod (one who enforces discipline in a monastery), and Nyerwa (tlie steward of a monastery). Lopon is the owner as well as the chief guru of the monastery. Umzed, since hè has to command every oral recitations and ritual practices, should be a proficient expert in these two particular fields. Gyerkod has to maintainthe discipline of the monastery; and so hè should be administrativcly judicious and domineering. Since Nyerwa is in charge of the whole property of monastery, hè usually manages the expenses of the monastery. The fate of the monastery depends largely on the commitment and efficiency of these four members. The presence and responsibility of these four members will change according to the specific
Pangbuche Monastery
This monastery is one of the ancient Sherpa monasteries in Sherpa community. It was established by Lama-Sangwa-Dorje in the 16th cen¬tury. A small stupa containing a relic ofSangwa- Dor/e and a robe which he used to hang on the sun-rays are preserved in this monastery. The main festival of the monastery is Dumchi, which they celebrate every year.Thame Monastery
This Nyingmapa monastery was established by Lama Sangwa-Dorje s brother, Lama Rolwa-Dorje, in 16th century for the household monks. However they started keeping monks in the 20th century. The main festivals of this monastery are Dumchi andMani-Rimdu, which are cel¬ebrated even'year.Jung Monastery This monastery is situated at Jung (Junbesi) and is known as Dondup-Choting. It was built in 1636 by Lama Dorje-Zangpo,from the lineage of Nyangral-Nyima- Woser. Unfortunately, the monastery was destroyed by fire in the 18th century. Lama Pema-Thutop and Lama Dorje-Jiktal {father and son} reconstructed the monastery. By the year 1914 the monastery was reconstructed by Lanta-Sanggye-Tempa. This monastery is one of the oldest Sherpa monasteries in Solu. The monastery owns the Kuchap-Tergna, two sets of Kan-gyurs,and a set of Ten-gyur (more than 433 volumes in total). Dumchi is celebrated every year at this monastery.
Jung Monastery This monastery is situated at Jung (Junbesi) and is known as Dondup-Choting. It was built in 1636 by Lama Dorje-Zangpo,from the lineage of Nyangral-Nyima- Woser. Unfortunately, the monastery was destroyed by fire in the 18th century. Lama Pema-Thutop and Lama Dorje-Jiktal {father and son} reconstructed the monastery. By the year 1914 the monastery was reconstructed by Lanta-Sanggye-Tempa. This monastery is one of the oldest Sherpa monasteries in Solu. The monastery owns the Kuchap-Tergna, two sets of Kan-gyurs,and a set of Ten-gyur (more than 433 volumes in total). Dumchi is celebrated every year at this monastery
Tengbuche Monastery
Tengboche monastery has been the heart of Sherpa culture since 1916. The first celibate monastery in Solu-Khumbu, it is a community of about 40 taw (monks) under the leadership of the Abbot, Tengboche Rinpoche (Reincarnate Lama). This construction of this monastery was started in 1916 by Jatang-Chotar (Lama-Gulu) and was completed in 1919. It is one of the most famous monasteries in the world.Gyenpo-Sherap-Chepal from Nauche, Lama Karma from Sola, and Taktokpa Kunjang from Khumjung were the main people who helped finance the construction of the monastery. The 1934 earthquake gave one of most devastating results by toppling down the monastery over the founder Lama Gulu. who died a few days after the disaster.In 1989 the monastery was burnt-down by a result of a faulty electric system. After that many indigenous Sherpas, foreign institutes and Sir Edmund Hillary financially helped in the reconstruction. The present monastery was completed in 1993 after a difficult and tiresome renova¬tion.The main festival of this monastery is Mani-Rimdu, which lakes place in autumn. Since the monastery is on the Everest trekking route, many foreign visitors use the opportunity to visit this monastery every year.For more info about:
http://www.tengboche.org/Ven. Lama Ngawang-Norbu-Zangbu (Lama Gulu)
Lama-Gulu was bom in Khumjung village ofSolu-Khumbu in 1850. He had three sons and three daughters. His wife's behaviour being quite uncompromising, his household life proved short mid unsuccessful. Five among six of his children died.In 1916 he started constructing Tengbuche monastery which was completed in 1919. He died in the 1934 earthquake.
Jyalsa Sherpa MonasteryIn the beginning of the 19th century, Lama Pema- Sang-ngag-Tenzin, established Jyalsa monastery at the centre of Solu. In the beginning of 20lh century fire burnt down the monastery and his son Ratna-Chewang reconstructed the monastery which was bigger than before. Again in 1934 an earthquake damaged the monastery. Karma Donten, the great grand son of Ratna-Chewang, repaired the monastery again and was well equipped by his son Lama Ngawang-Sherap. Lama Babu. son of lateNgawang-Sherap started Guru Tsen-gye dance {the eight manifestation of padmasamvabha} and Chechu-Cham annually from 1992. He started Ngingmapa Buddhist School at the monastery.
Chiwang Monastery
The Chiwang monastery, established in 1925 by Lama Sangye Tenpa, is one of the biggest Nyingma Sherpa monasteries in Solu. In the begin¬ning Sangye-Tempa gathered fifty monks himself and provided all ne¬cessities for them. Later, because of the poor policy of Nepal Govern¬ment in I960, the monastery could not be maintained properly.The main festival of this monastery, Mani-Rimdu, is celebrated in the autumn. Every year the number of the tourists increases. It takes three hours to reach this monastery from Jung [Junbesi] and Phaplawa [Phaplu]For more info about:
www.chiwongmonastery.orgLate Lama Sanggye Tempa was bom in 1857 in Jung (Junbesi) Solu Khumbu. In 1914 he renovated Jung monastery and in 1925 established Chiwang Monastery-He was also a potential administrator with dynamic personality who reigned the administrative system of Solu Khumbu as a ruler at that time. He passed away at the age of 83 in the year 1940.
Phungmoche Monastery & Himalayan Sherpa Buddhist School
The founder of Phungmuche monastery was the late Lama Ngawang Yonten Gyatso. It was constructed in 1938 with the help of the indigenous Sherpas. After his death in 1956 the condition of monastery degenerated, but Lama Ngawang-Zinpa and his brothers renovated the monastery again in 1981.Besides the monastery, they started a modern educational institute "Himalayan Sherpa Buddhist School" in 1992. The school is being supported by Friends of Nepal, Munich, Germany. This school has been a great help for local students.It is a 5/6 hours walk from Phapla\va (Phaplu) & 1 Vz hours from Jung (Junbesi) to visit this monastery & school.
Takshintok Monastery
It is situated in Takshintok and constructed in the year 1948 by Lama Togden Chultim of Sho-rong with the help oj local people. It is a Nyingmapa monastery1. Later on his disciple Geshe Jyangchup-Tsultim went to Kham to study Nyingmapa Buddhism. After completing his study he started teaching the other people and other improvements were made. A separate monastery' for nuns is also situated next to it. If is on the way to Mt. Everest and an exact copy of this monastery is also built at "Little World Museum of Man " in Japan. It is popular around the world too. Lodges, and tourist camps are located in this area. It takes five hours walk to. East from Jung /Junbesi and jive hours from Paplawa /Phaplu
Mentok-Pakye Monastery
This Nyingmapa monastery was established by Lama Karma (Sherpa), the disciple of Ratna Chewang in the year 1923. In 1931, many disciples were gathered and progress was made in the spir¬itual field. His son Ngawang Cheten also gave much emphasis on the welfare of the institute. But after the death of Lama Karma the situation of the monastery remain degraded and unsatisfied. Later on in 1996 a new Buddhist school was established and the devel¬opment increased.
Serlo Monastery
Serlo monastery is near Jung [Junbesi]. This mon¬astery was established in 1957 by the Khenpo Sangye Tenzing Sherpa. In 1959 he founded a higher educational centre for Nyingmapa study. It was running smoothly for 24 years, but after the death of the Lama, the school began facing many obstacles. In 1995 his dis¬ciple Yen. Pema Tharchin Lama registered the same institute as "Himalayan Buddhist Academy". He began to enroll new students and additional developments were made.A lot has been done for those foreigners who are interested in medita¬tion. S.T.D, I.S.D. telephone, fax service and Dharma books are avail¬able.
Kilkhor-dingma Sherpa monastery
Kilkhor-dingma monastery was established by Lama Doowa (Sonam-chode'), and his son Lama Rang-dol in 1967. From 1971 they started the Dumchi [festival] and from 1996 they began Manirimdu. This Nyingmapa monastery is in Okhal-dunga district. This is the biggest monastery in this area. The place is an important resort for tour¬ist attraction.
Thothong monastery
Thothong monastery is situated 40 kilometres away to the west from Shar-Khumbu and is a retreat centre for Sherpa practitioners. It was built in 1947 by Lama Da-kyipa. It was again renovated in 1993 by Lama Chojor. Today the monastery has become the main religious cen¬tre in the region.
Source: The The Sherpas and Sharkhumbu by Sherpa Thupten Lama
