Construction of Jangchub Chorten & Nyekhang at Gyelpozhing

Background

His Holiness the 70th Je-Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choeda during his religious tour of Eastern Bhutan briefly resided at his residence at Gyelpozhing on 21^st April, 2009. As always, His Holiness performed Puja for the welfare of the community at his residence and provided blessing to the people gathered including the officials from Mongar and the local community.

Accompanying His Holiness was a Tshipa. He predicted the presence of Tshomin (Mermaid) in the Kurichu Lake formed by Kurichu dam. He said that she resides in her Phodrang (palace) opposite to the Gyelpozhing Higher Secondary School in the cliff. Her youngest daughter in the form of fish was killed by a fisherman some years ago.  Tshomin started taking revenge to the people going to the river. Some years earlier a Pow (local practitioner) agreed with Tshomin that twenty people will be offered to her on yearly basis to compensate the death of her youngest daughter, who would be young and bright people.

As per the Tshipa, 7 young male are already been taken away by the Tshomin. Whatever may be the truth, Gyelpozhing HSS lost two of her bright students in 1998 and 2004 respectively in the river. Still it is a mystery as these boys were bright in studies and were not at all disturbed in any ways and did not create any disciplinary problems in the school as per teachers who are still working in the school. Rather they were bright and took part in all the activities of the school. It took several days for the search team to trace them and dead body was found in the dam. Kurichhu LSS lost one male student in year 2007 in the similar manner who was the captain of the school. The search team looked for him every where and several Lamas were consulted but all in vain. His body was found after forty seven days at the dam where search was carried out earlier for several times using motor boat of Kurichu Project. Other victims were from local community  one young male, a relative of Kurichu project staff in 2006 and a wife of Kurichu staff in March 2009. He predicted that the offering of young male in over and the year 2009 is the turn for a young female as per the negotiation reached between Pow and the Tshomin.  He also alarmed everyone that there is only two month’s time left and nothing could be done about it for the turn of the female victim. He also said that several lamas have visited the place and tried to purify it but nothing will work as Tshomin does not want to deviate from the agreed deal reached between her and the Pow.

Alarmed by the situation facing the fate of Gyelpozhing community the matter was immediately reported to His Holiness to provide safety of the community in whatever ways it was possible.

Birth of Jangchub Chorten.

His Holiness directed the Tshipa to find out the solution for the welfare of the community. The team comprised of Tshipa, Lam Neten, Dasho Dzongrab, Project officials started surveying the area for exact location of the residence of Tshomin.  It was finally located at a spot opposite to Gyelposhing Higher Secondary School. He suggested that only way to subdue Tshomin was by constructing a Jangchub chorten facing her Phodrang located at the hill-top at back of the Academic building of Gyelpozhing Higher Secondary School as per his communication with her through his super natural power. If the chorten is not constructed within two months then there is no way to save the misfortune awaiting the community’s fate.

He predicted that a 17 years old female student of Gyelposhing Higher Secondary School having a mole of right side of the face from a humble family shall become the victim within the month of June 2009. On the request of the officials present, the girl was identified by the Tshipa. Surprisingly whatever he said earlier tallied with the girl and even the dreams she saw which he have told to the group before asking the girl was same. The news spread like a wildfire though officials tried to maintain calm of the situations as there were many people present spread the news in the locality. The psychology of the local community, staff and students of the school got completely shattered. Every one looked confused,  helpless, feared as this is something no one imagined and could not think of solutions which they could workout own their own.

The developments that have taken place were hardest hit on the staff and students of Gyelposhing School. As the Principal of the school, my priority was to get hold of the situation first and follow up on the activities later. Next morning students and staff briefing were organized separately and provided assurance that everything shall be done for the safety of school staff and the students. I assured them that our situation is under control as His Holiness himself is taking care of the situation.

The next morning, Dasho Lhap Dorji (Former dzongdag) was requested to allow the school authority to take the identified student to Namdeling in Autsho, Luntse Dzongkhag for His Holiness’ blessing where His Holiness was performing Kurim.  This was the only way we could see to boost the psychology of the student identified other students and the staff. Dasho accepted the idea and assured his help in this regard. The same day the girl was taken to His Holiness for blessing at Namdeling where the support was provided by the presence of Dasho Dzongdag, Lam Neten, and other officials. A Dompa was conducted on her behalf by His Holiness and protecting locket and prayer to recite was also provided. She was assured by His Holiness that nothing can happen now. Following week on her own will and in consultation with her parents she was transferred to Yadi MSS to provide psychological comfort with an assurance that she can join back the school any time she wanted once the chorten is constructed.

Chorten construction committee

On the advice of His Holiness, Chorten Construction Committee was immediately formed headed by Dasho Tashi Dargay, Dzongrab Gom of Mongar. The responsibilities were assigned as mentioned against their names (Refer Chorten construction Committee List). The construction of chorten was estimated at Approximately Nu. 700,000/-. It was agreed that Kurichu Hydro power project will raise 50% of the fund, Thormday will raise 25% of the fund and Schools will raise 25% of the fund. Mr Yeshey,SE,  KHP has put up the matter to the higher authorities in DGPC and the managing Director Mr Chewang Rinzin readily sanctioned the fund for the welfare of the community.

Since school is a small organization without any sources of income, to raise a fund of Nu. 1, 75,000/- was an impossible task except for small voluntary contributions from the staff and the students that might amount to few thousands. . There were no other alternatives to raise the fund then to seek assistance from the Dzongkhag. Therefore, the matter was discussed with Dzongkhag Education Officer and Dzongrab Gom, Mongar to help us in submitting the proposal to the Government. The detailed note-sheet was put up to Dasho for necessary approval of construction through Dzongkhag Education Officer and for releasing the fund from savings under different budget heads during June closing of 2009.Other alternative could be the use of Chorten Tshogpa Fund of the Mongar Dzongkhag.

Dasho did play a vital role in putting up the matter to the Government and convincing the competent authorities the seriousness of the developments that has taken place in the Gyelpozhing locality. Finally, the fund for construction of Jangchub Chorten and Nyekhang which is explained latter was approved by the Government under new budget head though there was only a short period of time left for using the fund as there was pressing issue of June closing drawing near.  

With the effort used by all the committee members to the exhaustion of their energy every thing was made possible. The entire stakeholders’ effort in the construction of chorten and willingness to solve any problems that has arisen needs appreciation, for we could do the task that almost looked impossible in give time frame by the Tshipa.

Birth of Nyakhang

When we visited His Holiness along with the identified student for blessing at Namdeling, Luntse we have requested His Holiness for his blessing to the students and staff and to purify the identified place for the chorten site. This was particularly done in order to boost the psychology of the people in the locality as there was fear in everyone’s heart.

His Holiness has kindly directed vulnerable Lam Neten of Mongar Dratshang to perform Dhompa for the Gyelpozhing and Kurichu students which was conducted next day at BOC hall, Gyelpozhing. His Holiness also has kindly directed the Tshipa and Yab Rinzin Dorji for performing the ceremony at Chorten site and to demarcate the safe area bordering the Kurichu Lake.

While Tshipa was conducting the purification ceremony of the chorten site, he said that Tshomin is not willing to get subdued unless a Nyekhang (prayer Hall) is constructed for her benefit. Once Nyekhang is constructed with her statue and daily offering conducted she would serve as the protecting deity of the Gyelpozhing community. Since there was no other way it was decided that Nyekhang will also be constructed and the place was identified near the water tank.

The statue that needed to be installed was noted down by Yab Rinzin Dorji and Lam Neten while Tshipa narrated the structures, shapes, sizes and what it should contain. The Nyekhang should have main statues of “Dorji Gyeltshen”, “Chomin” and “Dhue”. It was agreed that statues will be constructed under the guidance of Yab Rinzin Dorji and the prayer book for daily ritual will be written by His Holiness the Je-Khenpo himself as Yab reported the developments to His Holiness.

 

Collection of Raw – Materials

Dzonkhag Administration played important role in mobilizing the resources for the construction. The special type of stones required for the chorten was ordered from Pangsibi Village (Jangdung) through saling Gup. Pangsibi Tshongpa Mr. Phuntsho mobilized the workers and they carried out the collection of the stones @ of Nu 1000/- per truck. Around 22 truck loads of stone were transported from the collection site to construction site by involving truck owners on fuel basis and major portion was transported by Gems Construction at a negotiated rate.

While construction was in progress it was found that majority of stone could not be used due to its softness in nature. Stones were collected again from Drepong road which were found to be of better quality. The rejected stones for chorten were used for Nyekhang construction.

The red soil needed for construction was collected from Jainala and Depong farm road. Two truck loads were used for making Tsha-Tsha at Dratshang and 8 truck loads at the Chorten & Nyekhang. Since there was an advice not to use cement by Tshipa during his second visit, the sand collected was used for the construction of Nyekhang.  Chorten was constructed using red soil and stones alone and no cement is used in it.  Other materials were managed locally from school, town, KHPC and people were more than willing to help us in this regard.

Mobilization of man power

The construction workers were mobilized from Thangrong village. Mr. Dibola (Mason) headed the construction team along with other members from the same village. Khengkhar Gup, Saling Gup and Jurmey Gup provided additional man power whenever we needed. There was no shortage of man power at any time though the work demanded only those masons who were skilled in chiseling stones which was tedious and tiring work. They worked from morning 6.30 AM to 7 PM sometimes.

Finding the stones for Chusi- khorlo was the most difficult task we faced. We searched every where but finally, the special types of stones were traced at Khegkhar Gewog, Dag village which is 3 days away from Gyelpozhing. All the stone were collected from forest which was a tedious and time consuming work. It took more then 30 men to bring stones to site on their back after chiseling them to carrying sizes. All became possible with the support of the Khengkhar Gup, who provided manpower up to Jimjorong, from where it was transported to the site in vehicles. It took lots of labour to chisel it out to shape, size and thickness without breakage but was executed perfectly by the well-skilled masons.

Construction in Progress

To start with construction, Vunerable Lam Neten Kinzang Wangdi of Mongar Dratshang conducted Singnen ceremony on the 5^th May, 2009. This ceremony was sacred.  Lama was dressed on frightening dress and ritual was conducted with the help of Umze Kinzang Dorji and other additional Gelongs, reciting prayers & offerings done to the tune of different types of music as per requirement to subdue the evil spirits. The singnen was buried more than 3ft deep into the ground at the centre of chorten.

The other day ground breaking ceremony was consecrated, headed by the Lam Kencho Tenzin Thrithangbi Lam and Gelongs from Gyelpozhing Dratshang for both Chorten and Nyekhang. There was slight deviation from the initial estimate on the size of the Chorten because of height becoming taller then academic building so we had to reduce it. Finally, the construction started with the arrival of chorten expert Champa deputed by Yab Rinzin Dorji from Lhuntse. He has kindly agreed though there was a lot of pressure as he was already involved in another chorten construction at Tangsibi, Bumthang for late Dasho Karma Galey.

The Chorten started coming up in front of our eyes with installation of religious items at every stage of the construction. There were no lapses at anytime as people of locality came forward with refreshment, religious item to be put inside chorten as per the requirements of the installation. Gyelpozhing Lama Choning Dorji executed all religious ceremonies associated with every stage of the chorten like village level tools, collection of crops, religious items, jewelleries, Tsha-tsha (mud statues), metal statues and Shoksing. It was so satisfying that we could finally complete the religious installation on the same day Tshipa has given us the date line i.e. 22/06/09 on no moon day. Other part of the construction work continued.

Encouragement

From the very day chorten construction was finalized, everyone cooperated in providing support for the steady progress of the construction though we were pressed by time of only two months. Every stakeholder was worried as it looked impossible against the given time frame. Starting with Singnen ceremony, Vunarable Lam Neten visited the site as many as 7 times and followed up on the progress and encouraged the workers. He has taken the major responsibility of preparing the Nangzung for the chorten. Dasho Dzongrab always devoted his valuable time even when he was heading for important assignment of chadey and reception and visited the site as many as 10 times and advised the team on the progress of the work. Mr.Yeshey(SE) & Mr. Samten Lungay (AFD) of KHP as the part of the team were more than willing to help in providing vehicles, expertise and  necessary material required in the site. They were on the site all the time for ceremonies and supervision though they were pressed with their own work.

Dasho Sherab Tenzin (Dzongdag), Dasho Naichu, NC Mongar visited the site and provided encouragement. Dasho Drangpon visited site on numbers of occasions and provided support. With all these support we were at ease regarding the construction although we were finding hard time to cope up with our own school administration and classes. Our staff members especially Mr Kezang(VP), Lopen Loday, Lopen Pema Tshewang, Ms.Tshomo, Ms. Dawa Pem, Lop Tashi, Lop Cheku, Mr Kaka, Mr. Karma Yeshey, Mr. Sonam Tshering,  and other teachers and support staff were always ready for work even if  it happened sometimes as early as 5.00 AM in the morning or sometimes 10.00 PM at night related with religious ceremonies.

Acknowledgement

The collective effort of community needs acknowledgement. Especially the role played by Lam Neten Kinzang Wangdi, Dasho Tashi Dargay, Mr. Tshering Dorji (Bazar Tshopa), Mr. Yeshey (SE), Mr. Lungten (AFD),  Gyelpozhing Lama Choning Dorji, Mr Kezang Wangdi (V P), Lop Jigme Namgyel of KLSS , Lop Loday of GHSS starting from main part of construction to  monitoring the progress throughout made it successful. The help provided by Diamond Construction in lending his caterpillar machine for digging red soil at Jainala and loading was very helpful as it was difficult to get the mud to the site.

The effort taken by teacher In-charges is taking students to Dratshang for making Tsha-Tsha (mud statues) and Gelongs of Gyelpozhing Dratshang made it all possible to make them in time.

The role played by Mr Dhendup, the Managar of Bhutan Oil Cooperation, Mongar was crucial in developing more then 2000 numbers of Chana Dorji’s mud-statues on voluntary basis for the chorten. The BOC team work is really appreciated for their role in providing support when we were pressed by time, expertise and resources to meet the dateline for the chorten completion.

Thanks are also due to Mr. Hemlal Pokhrel for the auditing of the document which is written on the importance of having this Chorten and Nyekhang at the School Campus and Mr. Tshering Chophel for designing the Cover Page of the write-up.

Conclusion

Finally, Jangchub Chorten stands at the site towering the Phodrang of Tshomin. We all fell safe now and Gyelpozhing Community is a proud owner of the monuments with all religious Nangthens installed in it. The Nyekhang shall serve as the religious hall for Gyelpozhing community particularly school for whom Tshomin shall serve as the protecting deity. All students require themselves to surrender before her once they come to school and take permission from her while they leave school as she is the protecting deity now. A learned person shall be appointed for the Solkha (daily ritual) for everyday for that the prayer book written by His Holiness the Je-Khenpo will be followed.

With the Rabney of Chorten consecrated by Vunerable Lam Neten of Mongar Rabday on 5^th July 2009 and Nyekhang all the fear and trauma associated with Tshomin is subdued that has troubled the community for more than three months is finally over. Gyelpozhing now is as safe as any place in the country. We are thankful to His Holiness Trulku Jigme Choeda, Yab Rinzin Dorji and the Tshipa for predicting the ill-fate of this area. At least, now we have a place to take our minds and engage ourselves for the benefit of all beings and to take refuge in Dharma. These monuments shall serve for generations to come as the protecting deity.                                              

   

Chorten Construction Committee Members

Yab Rinzin Dorji                     Advisor for the construction

Dasho Tashi Dargay                Head Construction Committee

Lam Kinzang Wangdi             Preparation of Zhung and advisor for religious matter

Lam Choning Dorji                 Making Tsha-tsha and religious ceremonies

Umze Kinzang Dorji               Fixing dates for various rituals

Mr Shankar Lal Dahal

(Principal)                    Coordinator for construction

Mr Samten Lunjay (AFD)      Chair person for the construction

Mr Tshering Dorji (Tshogpa)              Supervisor

Mr Yeshey (SE, KHP)                        Member

Mr Kezang Wangdi (VP, GHSS)       Member

Lop Jigme Namgyel (VP, KLSS)       Member

Lop Loday                                          Member

Mr. Phurba Wangdi Lingden              Site Engineer.