Tharpaling Goemba

Ten kilometers drive from the Chumey valley will take you to a beautiful and secluded monastery on the hill top, popularly known as Tharpaling Goenpa.

The name ‘Tharpaling’ loosely translates as ‘The Vast Expanse of Liberation.’ The great Dzogchen Master Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam is said to have given teachings to over a hundred thousand disciples at Tharpaling….and that was back then, in the 14th century. This moment was recorded in the annals of our history by Azom Drukpa Rimpoche, who was himself one of the greatest Masters of the Dzogchen lineage. The interesting bit about this is that we are but a population of just over seven hundred thousand. And even in the 14th century, he was presiding over and commanding the attention of a hundred thousand disciples. This was a figure probably unmatched anywhere else in the country at that time. It is no exaggeration to say that he certainly DID make a mark.

 The Goenpa has several temples and houses more than 100 monks who study in the attached shedra. If energetic, you can further take a short hike to a mountain top where there is a grand statue of Longchen Rabjam and where the great teachings of Zheydhen was written. You can also catch the glimpse of towering Himalayas upon reaching there.