Jalla Lhakhang is located in the middle of a beautiful Jalla village.
It is approximately 30 km from WanguePhordrang and is accessible by vehicle.
(the beautiful Jalla Village) |
The monastery is of great significance as it is the Densa (dwelling
place) of sacred Jowa Jamba and Damchen Gawrai Nagpo. The scared Jowa Jampa is a terma revealed by Terton
Pema Lingpa in Bumthang that flew and came directly to Jalla Goenpa in the 15th
century. Jowa Jampa in Sanskrit is known as
Maitreya and is regarded as a future Buddha of this world
in Buddhist eschatology. According to Buddhist tradition,
Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future,
achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. Maitreya
will be a successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha (also known
as ลฤkyamuni Buddha). The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya refers to a
time in the future when the dharma will have been forgotten by most on the terrestrial
world.
(Jowo Jampa) |
It is believed that the main deity of Jalla Lhakhang, Damchen
Gawai Nagpo, commonly called as Ap Dolay by the local accompanied Jowa Jampa
and came to Jalla. Unfortunately, Jowo Jampa is not at Jalla Lhakhang at
present.
Unlike usual fearful appearance, the Damchen Garwai Nagpo at
Jalla Lhakhang is of peaceful look riding on a goat. Damchen Garwai Nakpo, was pre-Buddhist Tibetan
deity subdued by the Guru Rinpoche who was invited to Tibet by the king to
introduce Esoteric Buddhism in the region. Guru Rinpoche converted Damchen
Garwai Nakpo by oath as protector of the Buddhist teachings. Along with Damchen
Dorje Lekpa, Damchen Garwai Nagpo were the two blacksmiths that made all Guru
Rinpoche terma/ statues and weaponry artifacts. Both are very important deities
worship by all 4 sects of the Tibetan Buddhism.
Initially, both Jowa Jampa and Damchen Garwai
Nagpo were housed at Jala Goenpa, which is located above the village. It is
said that during those days the Jalla community grew to almost 300 strong
households (today it is only 37 households). Unfortunately, over the period a
deadly disease plagued the village and all habitant got wiped off. The Jalla
Goenpa also caught fire and burnt down. One can still see the ruins of main
Jalla Goenpa if one visit the site today.
As the village were without the dwellers after
the repercussion of the deadly contagious disease, the Wangduephordang Kuzhu took
the sacred Jowa Jampa to Wangduephordang Dzong and left Damchen Gawai Nagpo at
the present location making small house that is enough to fit the statue. The
Jowa Jamba statue was taken through Jalla-Japhu route. On reaching at Japhu
village, the Jowa Jampa statue was kept on a stone when the people took some
respite. On lifting the statue a drupchu miraculously emerged from the exact
spot. This drupchu is known as Jalla Jampa drupchu. The Jowa Jampa statue
finally was placed as one of sacred Nagten at Wangduephordang dzong. In Wangduephordang
dzong the statue was commonly addressed
as Jalla Jam because of the fact that it was brought from Jalla. I had the
privilege to see the sacred statue before Wangdue dzong caught fire in 2012. It
is around 12”.
(With present Jalla Lam Tenzin Dorji and uncle Gyeltshen) |
According to my Uncle Gup Gyeltshen, he still remembers
seeing the small hut where Ap Dolay was installed.
It is believed that the deity Damchen Garwai
Nagpo fulfills any aspiration if one seeks his blessing. Nevertheless he also does
cast his spell if promises made are not kept.
(Damchen Garwai Nagpo in fearful appearance riding on goat) |
One example could be how Sherab Lhendup from
Wangdue Baymey Chungchu Dingkha ascended
to the top most post of the government, the 16th Druk Desi by
seeking Damchen Garwai Nagpo’s blessing. Sonam Lhendup started his career as
Tsirang Sangsum, Zhung Drongney, Trongsa Penlop and Wangdue Dzongpoen before
becoming the 16th Druk Desi in 1769. Over these periods he regularly
used to seek blessing from Damchen Gawai Nagpo and progressed his career. On
one occasion he had promised to offer crown to Damchen Garwai Nagpo if he
become Druk Desi. However, Desi Sherab Lhendup failed to visit Jalla Lhakhang
after becoming the Druk Desi forget about offering the crown.
(Damchen Garwai Nagpo under concealed state) |
One day he fell sick and was bed ridden for some
time and could not be cured rather his health kept deteriorating badly. He
summons a top astrologer who on analysis found that he had made promise
somewhere and fail to fulfill it. Druk Desi immediately recollected the promise
he made to Jalla Damchen Garwai Nagpo and immediately pledge to do what he has
promised. Druk Desi made the crown studded with big diamond and personally
placed on the statue of Damchen Garwai Nagpo at Jalla. After that Druk Desi
regained his health and stayed peacefully.
People of Jalla also places Damchen Garwai Nagpo
at the highest esteem as the protecting deity and always seeks his blessing.
(The consecration of Jalla Lhakhang in 2014) |
Over the period, the community constructed the
monastery with the recent renovation done along with the installation of serto
in 2014 that was consecrated by H.E. Sakten Tulku Rinpoche.
(H.E. Sakten Tulku Rinpoche) |
The main statue in the Lhakhang is the eleven
headed thousand-armed Chenrigzig, Guru Rinpoche with Khandro Yeshey Thogyal and
Khandro Mendarawa, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Damchen Garwai Nagpo. Damchen
Garwai Nagpo is kept concealed and taken outside once every year on 15th
day of 11th lunar month during which a special ceremony is conducted
that is witnessed by him.
(Ap Dolay taken out for a special ceremony) |
As per Dasho Passang Dorji, late His Holiness
Chadrel Sangye Dorje Rinpoche was very happy to learn that people of Shar don’t
take mutton and proclaimed that Damchen Garwai Nagpo is their protector.
(H.H. Chadrel Sangay Dorji Rinpoche) |
Jalla village was also visited by Terchen Dorje Lingpa , Khenchen
Sonam Ozer, the Second Je Khenpo and Tulku Chokden Gonpo, son of Terchen Dorje
Lingpa.
The Lhakhang performs many Kurims for the wellbeing of the
country and the sentient beings.
I am very happy to visit Jalla Lhakhang recently and also met
all my relatives and cousin sisters.
Please visit.