| Name: | Samtenphel ling Goenpa |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | Gaylong Sumba |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 1750 | 18 |
| No. of Floor | 2floor |
| Main Wall | Stone wall |
| Location: | Merak, Trashigang |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Community |
| Coodinates: | 27 18’ 11’’N, 91 51’31”E |
The present site was founded by Gaylong Sumba (1750) while he was meditating at Gyen Ning Jong which is located on the way to Khiliphu. Even today, one can see the remains of his tsamkhang, chortens, and his water source drainage in the thick conifer forest. Later, Gelong Sumba relocated his meditation place to the site of present Merak Samtenphel Ling Goenpa, but it was constructed just as a small Goenpa which had only one straight red lined kheymar. Later, during the time of Tashigang Dzongpon, Sey Dopola (Dasho Thinley Tobgay, 1932-1999), Gelong Pema Drakpa 1901-1955 who followed all three religious’ sects, Gelug, Kague, and Nyingma renovated the Goenpa and extended the goenpa with the help of Tashigang Dzongpon. It is believed that he drew another red line below the previous single line and so the present kheymar that we see on the exterior walls of all religious institutions came into existence. Gaylong Pema Drakpa was born at Nari Goenpa which is situated above Gengo village. It is said that he was so close to Tashigang Dzongpon Sey Dopola and he would be traveling to Tashigang to perform ritualistic ceremonies when Sey Dopola requested him. He would live in Merak during summer and autumn and during the winter, he would live at Saling Solo Goenpa. One day while he was meditating at Merak Jomo Kukhari Phodrang, he went to fetch yoenchab and when he reached back to the Kukhari Phodrang, he saw an elephant sitting in the lhakhang with both his ears folded. It is believed that seeing such miracles means seeing Yedam Tsok Lha’s Zhelbab. That’s why Gelong Pema Drakpa lived a healthy and prosperous life. Since Merak is a sacred place of Ama Jomo, one cannot roast pig’s meat in the fire. For this reason, Merak also did not have a crematorium until very recently. As practiced by Tibetans, he initiated the offering of dead bodies to the vultures and the wild animals and also identified the site for this purpose at Gang Shom. But now, both Merak and Sakteng have their own crematoriums. His memorial chorten has been constructed above the lhakhang.
