Yombung Lhakhang

Description

The Yombung lhakhang is a traditional two-storey building, owned by Lopen Jimba and his family. Lopen Jimba inherited the temple from his family. It is situated on the way to Jatshabi lhakhang, at a place called Yombung, and there are only two households in Yombung under Shingkhar gewog. It is approximately 4.5-hour drive on a feeder road from the main Zhemgang town, and the temple is further 10 minutes walk from the present Shingkhar gewog office.

History

The exact date of the construction is unknown, but according to lopen Jimba, who is 99 years old, said that the temple is more than 150 years since its initial construction. The informant said that a man called Chador and his siblings Karma and Pelden built Yombung Lhakhang. Chador was both a carpenter and an astrologer in the village.

Initially, the temple was a private property and the family used to conduct daily rituals and other religious functions at the temple. Later, the family converted the temple into a community lhakhang to benefit the village community. Sadly, there was some disagreement amongst the village community (2014-15), hence the temple was again handed over to the owner.  A new community temple called Pising Zowa Chador lhakhang was built, and all the religious and social events are now held in the new temple. The new temple is approximately 5 minutes’ walk from Yombung lhakhang.

Architecture and Artwork

The religious objects in the temple are statues of Guru Rinpoche, Chukchizhay (11-faced Avalokiteshvara) and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The temple is adorned with wall paintings of Guru Tshengay (eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche) and the lineage of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The guardian deity that the family worships is Gonpo Maning (Mahakala). The family offers daily soelkha (ritual) to the guardian deity for protection.

Social and Cultural Functions

When the temple served as a community lhakhang, a five-day festival was conducted from the 11th to the 15th of the 10th month of the Bhutanese calendar.

At present, the temple organizes Nyungney (prayers and fasting) besides the daily rituals.

The village community participates in one important religious activity called Choekhor at the temple. The villagers carry the sacred Buddhist scriptures and walk through the village to bless the place, bless the people, and bless the village with a good harvest. The villagers assemble for this occasion with deep faith and commitment. This Choekhor is held twice a year: either on the 3rd or the 4th month, and on the 6th month of the Bhutanese calendar. Though the temple is a private property, it is still a place of worship for the community.

Informant

Lopen Jimba, 99, owner, Yombung

Researcher

Chencho Tshering, Associate Lecturer, College of Language and Culture Studies, Taktse, Trongsa, Royal University of Bhutan, 2017.

 

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