History:

is a small nunnery that was built in about 2006 and was originally inhabited by three nuns. Originally, it was a small two-roomed dwelling located in a forest glade in Bumthang district, Bhutan. The monastery quickly grew in size and scope from its humble beginnings. The main hall was constructed in 2010, and since, the monastery has grown to expand it’s teachings across Bhutan. It has become a popular destination for both local and foreign visitors. Gongkar Chholing Monastery is now home to around 70 nuns (including both novices and full Buddhist monastics) and various other staff. The monastery is dedicated to the teachings of Buddhism and propagating the ancient teachings of the Buddha. They offer traditional prayers, meditation, and study courses on Buddhist philosophy and practice. The monastery has established various Dharma Centres in Bhutan, presenting an opportunity for people to learn more about the teachings of Buddhism. It is one of the best temple in Bhutan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Gongkar Chholing Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, built in 746 AD by the great Buddhist saint Padmasambhava. 2. It is located in the Bumthang Valley in Central Bhutan, at an altitude of 2,800 meters. 3. The monastery has two main shrines, one to Padmasambhava and one to Guru Rinpoche. 4. It houses some of the most sacred religious relics in all of Bhutan, including a four-foot-high sandalwood statue of Guru Rinpoche and a 24-foot-high statue of the Manjushri. 5. The monastery is also home to a number of rare manuscripts and ancient texts, many of which have been preserved in the library for centuries. 6. The monastery is a major pilgrimage site in Bhutan and is considered to be an auspicious place to pray for enlightenment, peace and prosperity. 7. The monastery is home to a number of monks and nuns whose main duties are to guide visitors, maintain the monastery and attend to the spiritual needs of the local population. Here are some facts about the Bhutan temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Bhutan

Worship Method:

Gongkar Chholing Monastery is an important religious and cultural site in Bhutan. Located in the central Bhutanese region of Bumthang, it is a Nyingma-Gelugpa Buddhist monastery dating to the early 17th century. The monastery is best known for its yearly festival that celebrates five of the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava, as well as the recitation of Guru Rinpoche's legacy of sacred texts and teachings. The daily worship method at Gongkar Chholing Monastery follows the strict principles of the Nyingma school of Mahayana Buddhism, including the taking of seven refuge vows and five major ethical disciplines as guided by the Rig Veda, the root scripture of Mahayana Buddhism. The worship includes multiple daily prayer services, mantras, mudras, tsok offerings, shrine offerings, and ceremonies. The practice of Tibetan Buddhism follows the four methods of buddhahood, which are the foundations of Bhutanese Vajrayana Buddhism. The first is known as the “generation stage,” which focuses on generating inner power and spiritual healing. The second is the “completion stage,” during which practitioners visualize the deity through meditation and visualization exercises. The third is “union with clarity,” in which students join their outer and inner energy with that of the divine. Finally, the fourth is the “great completion,” which focuses on the realization of ultimate truth. These four stages of Buddhist practice are routinely performed at Gongkar Chholing Monastery. In addition to the four basic stages, spiritual and religious ceremonies are frequent at the monastery. These include the pilgrimage to the sacred rocks of Guru Rinpoche, blessings, rituals, chanted prayers, and other Buddhist-related activities. Celebratory events, such as the one held during the yearly festival, are also held, where the official monarchy and abbot of the monastery take turns offering blessings. In addition to these regular ceremonies and processes, Gongkar Chholing Monastery also offers retreats and meditation courses for both students and visitors. During these retreats, students learn how to engage in Buddhist practices such as visualizing and reciting mantras, and developing a personal relationship with the teacher and Guru Rinpoche. These retreats and teachings ensure that Gongkar Chholing Monastery remains an important site of Buddhist practice and culture for years to come. This most visited temple in Bhutan

Opening Timing:

The Gongkar Chholing Monastery in Bumthang district of Bhutan is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, but visitors are asked to leave by 4:30 pm. top temples in Bhutan

How to reach:

The most convenient way to reach the Gongkar Chholing Monastery in Bumthang is to fly into Paro International Airport and hire a car or book a tour with a local travel agency. If you’re coming from India, you can also take a taxi or bus from Jaigaon. From there it will take you approximately 4 hours of travel time to reach the monastery. famous temples in Bhutan