The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Pemayangtse, near Pelling
in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, located 110 km (68 mi) west of
Gangtok.
Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705, it is one of the
oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, also the most famous in west Sikkim.
Originally built by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century, as a small Lhakhang,
it was subsequently enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor
Namgyal who was considered as Lhatsun Chenpo's third reincarnate, Jigme Pawo.
The monastery follows the Nyingma Order of Tibetan Buddhism and controls all
other monasteries of that Order in Sikkim. The monks of this monastery are
normally chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim.
The monastery was built for "pure monks" (ta-tshang) meaning "monks of
pure Tibetan lineage", celibate and without any physical abnormality. This
practice is still retained. Only the monks of Pemayangtse Monastery are
entitled to the title "ta-tshang". The head lama of this monastery had the
unique privilege of anointing the Chogyals of the erstwhile monarchy of Sikkim
with holy water. Pemayangtse means "Perfect Sublime Lotus", and is said to
represent one of the four plexus of the human body.
The Pemayangtse Monastery is part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit
starting with the first monastery at Yuksom known as the Dubdi Monastery,
followed by Norbugang Chorten, Tashiding Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the
Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Khecheopalri Lake.
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Entering Pemayangtse Monastery.
The religious items store is on the left.
- The parking lot is on the west side of the monastery.
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Walking to the courtyard.
Walking along the north side towards the courtyard.
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Weisang stove.
Weisang is an ancient and widespread Tibetan custom. According to the
traditional Weisang ritual: first cypress and juniper branches and herbs
are piled up and lit. In the fire and smoke roasted barley flour or
grain is placed along with a few drops of holy water.
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Weisang is done on many occasions, such as to celebrate a bumper
harvest, ward off attacks by enemies, defeat an opposing team, bring
peace and prosperity, attract good luck to a weddings or funerals,
ensure safety on a road trip, and ward off illnesses.
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As an everyday act of worship, Tibetans commonly burn some cedar or
juniper branches with herbs outside temples and monasteries and in
front of the gates at their homes to eliminate the evil and purify the
air.
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Pemayangtse Monastery courtyard.
The Cham dance festival is held every year on the 28th and 29th day of
the 12th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to February
of the Gregorian calendar. It is performed by the lamas of this
monastery.
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The lamas dress up as Mahakala and Guru Drag-dmar (Skt: Vajrakila) in
colourful costumes for the dance performance.
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Pilgrims from all parts of Sikkim visit the monastery to witness this
festival.
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On this festive occasion, which marks the conclusion of Losar, on the
last day of the festival, a very large and impressive embroidered
scroll is displayed.
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Fireworks display is also a part of the concluding function,
symbolizing driving away of evil spirits.
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See more at
Cham dance - Wikipedia.
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Prayer flag pole.
There are two kinds of prayer flags: horizontal ones, called
Lung ta (meaning "Wind Horse" in Tibetan), and vertical ones,
called Darchog (meaning "flagstaff").
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Lung ta (horizontal) prayer flags are of square or rectangular
shape, and are connected along their top edges to a long string or
thread. They are commonly hung on a diagonal line from high to low
between two objects (e.g., a rock and the top of a pole) in high
places such as the tops of temples, monasteries, stupas, and mountain
passes.
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Darchog (vertical) prayer flags are usually large single
rectangles attached to poles along their vertical edge.
Darchog are commonly planted in the ground, mountains, cairns,
and on rooftops, and are iconographically and symbolically related to
the Dhvaja (one of the eight auspicious symbols).
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See more at
Prayer flag - Wikipedia.
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Pemayangtse Monastery facade.
Built as a three storied structure, the monastery depicts paintings on
its walls and statues of saints and Rinpoches, deified in various
floors.
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In the main prayer hall, 140 m2 (1,500 square feet) area, the Dukhang
or Lakhang, the main temple, which has colourfully painted doors and
windows, depict Tibetan designs.
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See also
Source
Location
