The Jangchubling Lhakhang was built in the 18th century by Pekar Jamtsho who was from Paro. At the age of 27 he traveled to Trongsa and from there further east to Kurtoe. He was the first to construct a structure in Jangchubling in the 17th century. A descendant of Choeje Dupthob Chikarwa of the Drukpa Kagyu sect, he built a meditative temple solely for his use. During this time, a saint of the Nyingmapa sect, Ngawang Samten Jamtsho from Trashi Yangtse, who was likely his disciple or brethren, received a prophecy from his root guru.
The prophecy indicated that his noble activities were destined for the sentient beings of Mon Yul in the south. Following his guru’s guidance, Ngawang Samten Jamtsho journeyed south. Upon reaching Khawtangla, he saw the Jangchubling area covered in thick fog, except for a spot illuminated by sunlight where Lam Pekar Jamtsho’s tsham khang stood. Believing this to be his destined place, he continued with a sense of joy.
Lam Pekar Jamtsho, through his clairvoyance, anticipated Ngawang Samten Jamtsho’s arrival and greeted him with tea, recognizing him as a man of great merit. Despite not knowing each other before, they met with happiness and gratitude, witnessing many miraculous signs.Lam Pekar Jamtsho relinquished his meditative structure for Ngawang Samten Jamtsho, who then built the Jangchubling monastery in the 20th century, where it now stands with beautiful Bhutanese architecture.
The Nyinthig system of the Nyingma tradition began flourishing there. Around 1940, Ashi Wangmo, who was a nun and a Princess, daughter of the first monarch Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk, returned to Bhutan after years of rigorous Buddhist training under the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpai Dorji in Tibet. Devoted to Buddhism and compassionate to all beings, she supported the lama and expanded the monastery.
In the 1940s Her Royal Highness, the late Ashi Wangmo, who became a nun and led a religious life sponsored the establishment of a Shedra, a centre for Buddhist teachings at Jangchubling. With guidance from the 16th Karmapa, Ashi Wangmo was instrumental in transforming the sacred temple to its present grandeur. She administered the construction of the existing main Lhakhang and named it as Dargay Choling Lhakhang.
The monastery located among picturesque mountains, offers a unique blend of spiritual serenity and historical richness. Its serene environment, combined with its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance, provides visitors with an unparalleled experience of peace and reflection. The magnificent fortress monastery, showcases the timeless beauty of traditional Bhutanese architecture.
Following 1959, many Tibetan lamas sought refuge outside Tibet. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ashi Wangmo’s root guru, fled to Bhutan, and she invited him to Jangchubling Gonpa. Since then, the Kamtshang Kagyu tradition has flourished at the monastery.His presence at Jangchubcholing strengthened the *Kamtshang Kagyu* lineage there.
Currently, monks of the Drukpa Kagyu sect, along with a lama, manage the monastic affairs.
The Jangchubling monastery in Bhutan is one of the most wonderful places to visit for an extraordinary experience and houses numerous precious relics, including the (dress), leather boot, and cap of the 16th Karmapa, the cup and rosary of a previous Situ Rinpoche, and a statue of Tshepamey, the main relic.
Architectural and Cultural Significance of Jangchubcholing Dzong exemplifies traditional Bhutanese architecture.The monastery remains a living center for Buddhist practice, managed by Drukpa Kagyu monks while honoring its Nyingma heritage.
Kalu Rimpoche's connection to Jangchubcholing Monastery
After the recognition of the Benchen Khenpo as the reincarnated Abbot of Jangchubcholing Monastery in the 1950's, Benchen Khenpo as a young child, was sent to Tshurpu Monastery in Tibet to complete his education, in the meantime Ashi Wangmo as the Royal Patron of Jangchubcholing Monastery, requested Rangjung Rigpe Dorji, the16th Karmapa to appoint a Rimpoche to oversee the affairs of the monastery. Based on the Royal request of Ashi Wangmo the 16th Karmapa appointed Kalu Rimpoche (1st Kalu Rimpoche) as the chief Abbot of Jangchubcholing Monastery in Kurtoe in circa 1950.
Kalu Rimpoche(1st) resided as the Chief Abbot and emissory at Jangchubcholing Monastery for about 10 years between circa 1950 and early1960's. During this time Rimpoche ordained over 300 monks and established 2 Niguma Retreat centres in Kurtoe.
Kalu Rimpoche (1st) organised 2 groups of monks who completed the 3 years retreat and the 2nd group consisting of Khenpo's went on to become the Lama's that Kalu Rimpoche (1st) appointed to oversee and manage the centres he previously established in the west to further his intention to spread Dharma in the western world. Some of the monasteries in the west are today over 50 years old as of 2024, such as the Palden Shangpa Centre in La Boulay, and Kagyu Dzong in Paris.
Kalu Rimpoche's connection to Jangchubcholing is further enhanced as his maternal family are originally from Jangchubcholing village.
In the early 1960's Kalu Rimpoche (1st)left Jangchubcholing as the Chinese cultural revolution was fomenting in China and Tibet, there was expectation of war and the need to start recruiting soldiers for the potential conflict was being discussed. By 1959 the Chinese Red army had fully occupied Tibet, and the Indo China war of 1962 had occured, and a critical need to find a safe place to propogate Buddha Dharma was recognised by Kalu Rimpoche(1st) and so he left for the west in order to establish Buddha Dharma Centres.
