Dubdi Monastery

Dubdi Monastery, occasionally called Yuksom Monastery, is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism near Yuksom, in the Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district, in eastern India.[1][2]

Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi Monastery
Religion
AffiliationTibetan Buddhism
SectNyingma
Location
LocationYuksom, Sikkim, India
CountryIndia
Location within India
Geographic coordinates27°04′N 88°28′E
Architecture
StyleTibetan
FounderLhatsun Namkha Jigme
Yuksom, Norbugang Chorten, Norbugang Coronation Throne and the Kathok Lake are within its precincts

The Chogyar Namgyal established the first monastery known as the Dubdi Monastery in 1701, at Yuksom in Sikkim, which is part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit involving the Norbugang Chorten, Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, the Khecheopalri Lake and the Tashiding Monastery.[3][4]

Established in 1701, it is professed to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim and is located on the top of a hill which is about an hour's walk (3 kilometres (1.9 mi)) from Yuksom. It was also known as the Hermit's Cell after its ascetic founder Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, who along with two other lamas from Tibet met at Norbugang near Yuksom and crowned Phuntsog Namgyal as the first King or Chogyal of Sikkim at Norbugang Yuksom in 1642. The literal meaning of 'Dubdi' in local language is "the retreat".[1][5][6]

History

Dubdi monastery is central to the history of Sikkim as it is closely linked to the founding of the State of Sikkim at Yuksom in the middle of the 17th century by Lhetsum Chenpo and his two associate lamas. Chenpo’s green image is enshrined in the Dhubdi monastery as it was established by him to commemorate the founding of the Kingdom of Sikkim. It is the only monastery (purported now as the first monastery built in Sikkim) surviving out of the four built at that time, the other three locations are now identified by: a cluster of four juniper trees was the location where a monastery of Khardokpa sect existed; another location of a monastery established by Lama of Nadakpa sect now seen in the form of a rocky mound and two juniper trees, and the third site has now a chorten, which was originally the location of the residence of the King of Sikkim who was crowned at Yuksom by the three lamas.[7] Monastery had thirty monks some time back. Now to gain access to the monastery, the only monk who stays in the monastery has to be informed in advance.[4]

Architecture

Dubdi stands at an altitude of 2,100 metres (7,000 ft) on a spur.[8] Established during the reign of Chogyar Namgyal, the Monastery has an elaborately painted interior area. Images of divinities, saints, other symbols and collection of manuscripts and texts are housed in the monastery. The statues of three lamas who were responsible for establishing Yuksom are also installed in the monastery. It is a two storied structure built in stone. It is square in plan and faces south. It has a tapering tower with a flat roof made of iron sheets with projecting eaves. The top of the roof has a bell shaped gilded dome known as "Gyaltshen". The monastery has two side aisles where a rare collection of manuscripts and other ritual texts are preserved.[5][9]

  • One of the three oldest monasteries built in 1701
  • Plaque at Dubdi Monastery

See also

References
  1. "Monasteries". sikkiminfo.in. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  2. "Monasteries in Sikkim are of three types". Dubdi Monastery. Sikkim Info. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  3. Choudhury, Maitreyee (2006). Sikkim: Geographical Perspects. Mittal Publications. pp. 80–81. ISBN 81-8324-158-1. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  4. Singh, Sarina (2005). India. Lonely Planet. p. 529. ISBN 1-74059-694-3. trail leads to Sikkim’s oldest gompa, Dhubdi Monastery. The monastery was established in 1701 and enshrined within it are the statues of the three famous lamas
  5. "Yuksom in Sikkim". India Study Channel. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  6. "Monasteries". Dubdi Monastery. National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  7. Ronaldsha, E (2000). Lands of the thunderbolt: Sikhim, Chumbi & Bhutan. Asian Educational Services. pp. 164–165. ISBN 81-206-1504-2. Retrieved 18 May 2001.
  8. Freshfield, Douglas William (1903). Round Kangchenjunga: a narrative of mountain travel and exploration. E. Arnold. p. 251. Retrieved 18 May 2010. story of Dubdi.
  9. File:Plaque at Dubdi Monastery.jpg: Official plaque at Dubdi Monastery erected by the Archaeological Survey of India
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