| Name: | Jampa Lhakhang |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | King Songtsen Gampo |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | | 7 |
| No. of Floor | 2floor |
| Main Wall | Stone wall |
| Location: | Chhoekhor, Bumthang |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Government |
| Coodinates: | 27°34′31.134″N 90°44′1.122″E |
According to oral history, Jampa lhakhang is said to be the first lhakhang built in Bhutan by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century. It is believed to be one of the 108 temples built in one night by him throughout Tibet and the Himalayas to overcome demo ness. Kyichu Lhakhang is also one of the 108 lhakhangs said to be built on the demoness’s left foot to suppress the regions beyond the frontiers. Similarly, Jampa lhakhang was built on the left knee to suppress the frontiers. When Guru Rinpoche came to Bhutan, it is said that he preached the teachings of the Kagye cycle to King Sindhu Raja and his court from the roof of the lhakhang. In addition to the main sanctuary containing the statue of Jo Jampa, four more sanctuaries were reconstructed in the middle of the 19th century which created a closed courtyard infront of the main sanctuary. The whole complex was partially restored by Ugyen Wangchuk’s brother-in-law (Jakar Dzongpon) Chime Dorje in 1905. The Guru Lhakhang forms the left side of the courtyard (south). It was founded by Jakar Dzongpon, Tsondru Gyeltsen in the mid-19th century. The main statue is of Guru Rinpoche flanked by images of Avalokiteshvara and Amitayus (the Buddha of long life). On the wall to the right are the Twenty-One Taras and on the left-hand wall are Avalokiteshvara with a thousand eyes and hands. Sukhavati and the Western Heaven of the Buddha of infinite light Amitabha. On the right side of the window, there is a painting of the great master Pema Lingpa and on the left, is the protective deity Gonpo Maning (one aspect of Mahakala).
The sanctuary of Duki Khorlo or Dukhor (Kalacakra) is on the right side of the main sanctuary forming the north courtyard. It was built by Jigme Namgyal and his son Ugyen Wangchuk at the end of the 19th century. Kalacakra meaning the “Wheel of Time” is considered to be the most complex of the cycles of tantric teachings and is most recently propagated. The deity who symbolizes Kalacakra is in dark blue colour with thirty-two arms, one yellow leg, and one red leg. He is in a sexual embrace with his consort who is in orange colour. The main image represents the deity and the smaller statues represent his entourage. The splendid paintings devoted to the Karling Shitro cycle are of the peaceful and terrifying deities according to Karma Lingpa who appear in the intermediary state between death and rebirth. The Goenkhang built by first king Ugyen Wangchuck is situated near the Dukhor sanctuary.
The Chorten lhakhang at north is an extension of the Dukikhorlo lhakhang and it was built by Ashi Wangmo who became a nun of the Karmapa School. This lhakhang is dedicated to the 1st Benchey Lama who is the reincarnation of Karmapa who died in 1940 and the chaplains of Wangchuck family. The chorten is located in the middle of the lhakhang. On the right side wall, the painting of the lineage of the Karmapas, and on the left wall depiction of the Thirty-Five Buddhas of Confession can be seen.
The Sangye Rabduen Lhakhang is above the complex main entrance (east) and was founded by the second King Jigme Wangchuck. it is considered the lhakhang of Buddha. The main statue represents the Buddha of the Seven Ages and the paintings on the wall on the right depict the esoteric cycle of the Gondu. On the left wall are the paintings of Guru Rinpoche and his eight manifestations, Avalokiteshvara and the Medicine Buddha whose principal figure is in dark blue colored holding a myrobolan fruit (Terminalia Chebula) in his hand.
