KUENSEL: 18th December  page 6 Home News 

A Buddhist teachers throne found at Shingkhar

A throne discovered recently at the basement of the Shingkhar Dechenling monastery in Bumthang is believed to belong to Kuenkhen Longchen Ramjam, a famous 14th century Buddhist scholar.

The throne, measuring about 5.5 square feet and 1.7 feet in height was discovered while the Shingkhar Lhakhang was being renovated. The renovation began in August this year.

According to the Shingkhar Lam, Ngodup, the approximately 650 years old stone throne was revealed when the floor boards were pulled up to clear the soil underneath and allow air passage to prevent them from decaying. It was during this clearance that the workers came by this sacred throne.

“This throne was set up on the original floor with white wash still intact on some parts of the stone" he told Kuensel. "This discovery has helped people feel the presence of Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjampa more than ever before."

Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363) visited Bhutan, in particular the Bumthang valley, during the 1350s and established eight lings(locations where he meditated,taught and wrote the profound Dzokpachenpo).

Shingkhar Dechenling, the foremost of the eight lings was built by Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam’s great grandson, Tsezang Thaye Drakpa, the first Shingkhar Lam.

Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam is considered one of the foremost lamas of the Nyingma tradition of Mahayana Buddhism known for his prolific writtings.Among his numerous works he wrote Dzoduen,
seven treatises on Buddhism.

For more information contact:  Dasho Shingkhar Lam (retd) 

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