The Sanga Choeling Monastery, also spelt Sange Choeling Monastery (,
THL ''Sangngak Chö Ling''), established in the 17th century by
Lama
Lama (; "chief") is a title for a teacher of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term ''guru'', meaning "heavy one", endowed with qualities the student will eventually embody. The Tibetan word "lama" means "hig ...
Lhatsün Chempo, is one of the oldest monasteries in the
Northeast India
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state
State may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Literature
* ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State
* ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States
* '' Our ...
of
Sikkim
Sikkim (; ) is a state in Northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Province No. 1 of Nepal in the west and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to the Siligu ...
. The literal meaning of Sanga Choeling is "Island of the Guhyamantra teachings", where ''gling'' means a
vihara and "secret Mantra teachings" is a synonym for "
Vajrayana Buddhism
Vajrayāna ( sa, वज्रयान, "thunderbolt vehicle", "diamond vehicle", or "indestructible vehicle"), along with Mantrayāna, Guhyamantrayāna, Tantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism, are names referring t ...
".
The monastery is located on a ridge top above
Pelling at a distance of from
Pemayangtse Monastery and is accessed by walking the steep hilly track of , which traverses through rich forest cover.
Pilgrimage to Sanga Choeling Monastery is undertaken by many
Buddhist devotees as part of a religious and heritage circuit encompassing
Pemayangtse Monastery,
Rabdentse ruins,
Khecheopalri Lake,
Norbugang Chorten,
Dubdi Monastery,
Yuksom and
Tashiding Monastery.
Architecture
Sanga Choeling Monastery, built in 1697, is also known as the place of secret spells. It has clay statues dating back to the 17th century. The monastery was affected by fire several times and was rebuilt.
[
]
Religiosity
On the tenth day of every month according to the Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar (), or Tibetan lunar calendar, is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, ...
, lamas recite hymns at this monastery. Every morning and evening prayers are special here. The monastery is reserved for men only and belongs to the Nyingma
Nyingma (literally 'old school') is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is also often referred to as ''Ngangyur'' (, ), "order of the ancient translations". The Nyingma school is founded on the first lineages and transl ...
sect.
Gallery
File:Entrance to Sanga-Choeling Monastery.jpg, Entrance to Sanga-Choeling Monastery
File:Painting of a siant in Sanga-Choeling Monastery.jpg, Painting of a saint in Sanga Choeling Monastery
File:A mythical painting in Sanga-Choeling Monastery.jpg, A mythical painting in Sanga Choeling Monastery
File:Painting of a drummer in Sanga-Choeling Monastery.jpg, Painting of a drummer in Sanga Choeling Monastery
File:A mandala painting in Sanga-Choeling Monastery.jpg, A Wheel of Life painting in Sanga Choeling Monastery
References
External links
Coordinates of Sanga Choeling Monastery
{{Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim
Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim