Dolung Goenpa

 Dolung Goenpa

Dolung Gonpa is located above Rinchenling shedra (monastic school) in Khotokha village. The village is half a day’s walk from the road point at Chuzomsa. Another means of travel is by ropeway which operates from the road point till Tashila. Khotokha village is one hour walk from Tashila. The temple is half an hour walk uphill from Khotokha village situated in the midst of woods overlooking the magnificent plains of the village.

The history of Dolung Gonpa is linked with the 2nd Je Khenpo Sonam Yozer who was born in the mid-seventeenth century. He was called Kuenkhen- all knowing lord of the doctrine because his understanding and explication of the dharma was so exquisitely vast and profound.

From a very young age as a child Sonam Yozer did not like the play of worldly affairs and instead talked many things on religion. By 13 years of age, he left his hometown and traveled to Chari monastery. There he met two prominent figures – Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Lhawang Loday. The encounter brought in an aura of a child meeting his mother after a long time. He studied and accomplished the higher levels of education in Buddhism. Having completed his studies he first traveled to western regions of Bhutan.

Kuenkhen Sonam Yoezer was enthroned as the 2nd Je-khenpo (Chief Abbot) at the age of 17.

He was believed to possess magical powers and extraordinary mind of intuition. People called him Thutop Wangchuk which literally means having powers of mind and magic.

A rock at Soebesa at Khotokha bears an imprint of his foot which provides substantial proof to his qualities.

Je-Khenpo Sonam Yozer came to the place where the present temple stands at around 50 years of age. At this place he found a stone with a hole in it which looked like a handle. After considering the auspicious discovery, he built the temple on this site. He engaged the people to work who were also his disciples. He preached them at night and let them work during day. The temple was named as Dolung Gonpa (Do: stone; lung: handle).