Overview

Lam Pekar Jamtsho, originally from Paro, was the first to construct a temple in Jangchubling in the 17th century. He was believed to be the disciple of 9th Je Khenpo, Gyalwa Shacha Rinchen. According to Jangchubling Lam Kinzang Jurney, Lam Pekar Jamtsho was the descendant of Wangzhing Choejee, one of the respected races in Bhutan. During the same time period, a saint called Ngawang Samten Jamtsho from Zagla in Trashi Yangtse was told by his root guru to return home for preaching for the benefits of sentient beings of Mon Yul in the south. Accordingly he proceeded back home. On reaching Khawtangla, he saw the sun rays falling at the temple of Lam Pekar Jamtsho amidst the darkness of thick fog at Jangchubling; the Jangchubling Monastery in Gangzur Gewog sight aroused in him an unusual sense of happiness. Lama Pekar Jamtsho, through his clairvoyance, knew that Ngawang Samten Jamtsho, a man of extraordinary wisdom and merit, was coming. And he went for receiving the man with tea. Lama Pekar Jamtsho welcomed Ngawang Samten Jamtsho received and welcomed wholeheartedly with happiness and gratitude. Their meeting was blessed with many miraculous and auspicious signs. Lama Pekar told that he would be of tremendous help to the sentient beings and renounced his meditative temple for the incoming Lama. No sooner did Lama Ngawang Samten Jamtsho offer the temple than he approached Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel seeking support for instituting monk body in the Lhakhang. He then reconstructed the Lhakhang. Later in the 20th century, Azhi Wangmo, the daughter of our first monarch Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk, had returned to Bhutan from Tibet after many years of rigorous training in Buddhist philosophies under the guidance of Karmapa. Being compassionate by nature, she was committed to spreading Buddhism. She supported the monastery with utmost devotion: she even expanded the monastery to its present size. The nab bza’(dress), leather boot and cap of 16th Karmapa, cup and rosary of previous Situ Rinpoche along with a statue of Tshepamey, the main relic, can be seen in the Jangchubling Goenpa.