MONASTERIES

BACKGROUND
There are about 22 monasteries in Tsum under Tsum Nile Ladrang. They are built by the different master of the Gurik lineages. Most of these monasteries are for the lay practitioners because in the past all the lay male and female were very much devoted to the practice of Buddhist teachings. So, each village has a monastery called Lhakhang for the males to practice and the tsok offering on the 10th and making offerings to the Dharma protectors on 29th of the Tibetan calendar and it is still practiced up to date. There is also a monastery called Mankhang in every villages where there is a big prayer wheel is placed and the females gathers on the 15th and 30th of the month and chants traditional Mani prayers. Following are the details of the different monasteries.
1. Depuet Dronme Monastery- It is said to be the oldest monastery in Tsum. It is founded by Lama Naljor Choeden or known as Madun Reachen as a retreat centre and later developed as a monastery by the lineage holders. Lama Madun founded this monastery around 1236 AD. Many master of the lineage has practiced there and gained many sign of achievement of meditation. There is a very big rock near the monastery which symbolizes the presence of the Dharma Protector. It is said that the rock flew from Bodhgaya because Lama Naljor Choden and the protector Madun have been Dharma friends and the disciple of Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery has been more than 700 years and there used to be nun's community living there during Lama Sherap Rinpoche's father and grand father time. All those old nuns have been expired and lama Sherap thought of restoring the monastery and the community. So, he renovated the monastery building which was in very bad condition. He received help from the local peoples, govt. of Nepal, Ani Yeshi and many other benifactors.These days there are about 20 nuns living there. They have been studying and practicing under the guidance of Lama Sherap Rinpoche.

2. Longtrang Rinchen Pungpa- It was also built as a retreat centre by Lama Madun Reachen. This monastery lies in the lower region of Tsum which is about 4-5 hours away from the villages. Lama Madun mentions in his biography that the place has been visited by the famous Tibetan yogi Milarepa. Lama Madun himself also practiced there for a long time. There used to be a huge rock similar to that of Dephuet Dronme but it slided down to the river and it is not visible these days. It has been a refuge place for a famous Kyirong Jowo (a famous sandalwood statue of Buddha in Sambhokaya form) for a long time before its departure to India. There are around 30 nuns living there. There is also a retreat centre where a certain number of nuns go to retreat for 6 months each year. It can be known that it is also built around 1200 plus.

3. Rigang Rinchen Pungpa- It was built by Densa Rinchen who was the main disciple of Lama Madun Reachen. It is also built during 13th century.

S\N	NAME OF MONASTERIES	LOCATION	FOUNDER	FOUNDED YEAR
1	Dephuet Dronme Monastery	Chhekampar-9	Lama Madun Reachen	1236
2	Ri Gang Rinchen Pungpa Monastery	Chhekampar-8	Densa Reachen	1200 (+)
3	Gon Ngoe Rinchen Pungpa Monastery	Chhekampar-8	Namkha Lhundup	Unknown
4	Gon Hock Sang Ngak Phodrang	Chhekampar-8	Unknown	Unknown
5	Nile Lhakang	Chhekampar-9	Namkha Dorji	Unknown
6	Nile Mani Dungyur	Chhekampar-9	Damchoe Lhundup	1956
7	Chule Mankhang	Chhekampar-8	Unknown	Unknown
8	Chorten Jangchup Namgyal Monastery	Chhekampar-8	Kunchok Dorji	1500 (+)
9	Paro Samdup Lhakhang	Chhekampar-1	Ngachang Chechok Dorji	1500 (+)
10	Nurukh Lhakhang	Chhekampar-1	Choje Kunga Sizig	1400 (+)
11	Kaye Parkhang Monastery	Chhekampar-1	Dupthop Karma Tenzin	1731
12	Gaden Monastery	Chhekampar-1	Kalsang Dhundup	1592
13	Tangzuk Mankhang	Chumchet- 8	Unknown	Unknown
14	Pang Go Manastery	Chumchet- 8	Kunchok Dorji	1500
15	Guru Phuk Monastery	Chumchet- 8	Dupthop Karma Tenzin	1702
16	Yachu Monastery	Chumchet- 8	Dupthop Karma Tenzin	1700 (+)
17	Tsumling Kharna Monastery	Chumchet- 9	Ngachang Chechok Dorji	1500 (+)
18	Longtrang Rinchen Pungpa	Chumchet- 2	Lama Madun Reachen	1259
19	Tsukla Khang Monastery	Chumchet- 2	Choje Tenpei Norbu	1582
20	Samling Monastery	Chumchet- 2	Unknown	Unknown
21	Pangtok Dongak Phuntsokling	Chumchet- 2	Choje Tenpei Norbu	Unknown
22	Mankhang Monastery	Chumchet- 2	Druppa Tsewang	Unknown