Nearly a century after its establishment, Riwang Choeling Monastery in Khoma Gewog, Lhuentse, marked a significant milestone with a consecration ceremony attended by His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab, senior Buddhist spiritual leaders, and hundreds of devotees.
The ceremony, presided over by Goshri Gyaltshab Rinpoche, celebrated the restoration of the historic monastery, which suffered extensive damage during the 2014 earthquake.
His Royal Highness was received with a traditional Chipdrel procession as the monastery, adorned with colourful decorations, welcomed religious dignitaries, residents, sponsors, and visitors. Among those present were Ashi Yeatso Lhamo, Yab Dasho Dhondup Gyaltshan, Yum Sonam Choki, and Lhalung Sungtrul Rinpoche.
Established in 1925 by Lama Singye, a native of Pangkhar in Lhuentse, Riwang Choeling Monastery has long been part of the region’s Buddhist heritage. The two-storey religious complex houses sacred statues of Buddha Sakyamuni and Buddha Amitabha.
The monastery’s future became uncertain following the earthquake in 2014, which left the structure severely damaged. Reconstruction commenced in 2015 after government approval, paving the way for the restoration of the building and its religious treasures.
The rebuilding effort was spearheaded by Khenpo Thinley Dorji, son of the late Lama Wangchen Namgyel, with financial and spiritual support from his followers and benefactors.
According to Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin of Riwang Choeling Monastery, Khenpo Thinley Dorji pursued his Buddhist education at Gyalwang Karmapa’s monastery in India before undertaking an intensive three-year, three-month spiritual retreat under Gyaltshab Rinpoche.
Following his teacher’s guidance, he subsequently established a religious foundation in Malaysia, where support from students and sponsors helped mobilise resources for the monastery’s reconstruction.
The restoration has also renewed hopes of strengthening Buddhist education in Khoma Gewog, where a shortage of monks remains a concern.
Plans are underway to establish a monastic school within the monastery, an initiative expected to create opportunities for religious learning and help sustain the region’s monastic traditions.
Dorji, a resident of Khoma Gewog, welcomed the monastery’s revival, describing it as an important development for the local community.
He expressed hope that the restored religious institution would serve the spiritual needs of devotees while the proposed monastic school would help address the shortage of monks in the gewog.
The consecration also marked a personal milestone for Khenpo Thinley Dorji. In recognition of his religious contributions, Goshri Gyaltshab Rinpoche conferred upon him the title of Choeje Lam, meaning Lord of the Dharma.
With its restoration complete and plans for monastic education taking shape, Riwang Choeling Monastery is poised to continue its role as a centre of Buddhist worship, learning, and cultural preservation in eastern Bhutan.
