Goen Tshephu lhakhang or the Pungkha Goen Tshephu is a sacred cave where the 8th-century saint, Guru Rinpoche meditated for 3 months and blessed. It is said that after Guru’s retreat at Draphu Maratika in Nepal, he visited Goen Tshephu via Tshelung Ney, Guru Rinpoche’s sacred place of prophetic longevity, and it is here that Guru Rinpoche was able to see the full form of Amitayus “Buddha of Long Life”.
Guru Rinpoche is said to be have meditated for 3 months in the cave of longevity. As a result, it is the most sacred cave where Guru Rinpoche first met Buddha Amitayus, heard his message, and was empowered. As a result, the cave is sometimes referred to as the third Maratika, while Tshelung Ney is the Second Maratika.

The Goen Tshephu was also blessed by so many Bodhisattvas including Terton Dorje Lingpa, Gyalse Gyaltshen, Yongzin Ngawang Drakpa, Thukse Dawa, Trulku Gyaltshen Pelzang, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, and many more. The present monastery was founded by Tsephu Trulku Gyeltshen Pelzang, a follower of Saint Goe Tsangpa.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel also blessed the Ney. He travelled to Punakha in search of a location for the Drukpa seat and that led him to Goen Tshephu under Gasa Dzongkhag. As per the Guru Rinpoche’s prophecy, Zhabdrung also meditated at Goen Tshephu.
The main statue in the Monastery is Guru Rinpoche Suung-Joen (self-spoken). Pentsa Deva crafted this statue in Punakha for the purpose of taking it to Bumthang. However, after the monument was completed, the statue spoke and requested that He be placed at Goen Tshephu. Thus, this statue is considered to be the most revered relic at Goen Tshephu. Among the temple’s countless relics, the gold-plated replica of Zhabdrung’s hat is also considered one of the key treasures.