Ghoom association alleges forceful takeover of monastery in Pedong

GANGTOK, 20 May: The Ghum Dun Gon Samten Choeling Association of Ghoom, Darjeeling, has alleged that monks of Tharpacholing Monastery, aided by members of some other groups from Kalimpong, have “broken into and forcefully taken over” the Gandencholing Monastery at Pedong, Kalimpong, on 18 May.

In a press release issued today, the central committee of the Ghoom-based association informs that the monastery belongs to “and is loyal to” the Domo Geshe Rinpoche Lobsang Nga-Kyi Wangchuk, who is a minor and presently studying in Shar Gaden Monastery in South India. The monastery had Passang Dorjee as caretaker who had been looking after the monastery and its attached fields for the past 42 years. He passed away on 11 May, the release adds.

The GDGDC Association details that attempts have been made in the past as well to take over the monastery, allegedly by the same group which has now “taken” it, as a result of which a case is underway in the District Courts there.

The monastery, it may be mentioned here, is the only one in Kalimpong which still propitiates Dorje Shugden and is informed to house an ancient statue of the deity and other sacred images which were installed there by the 1^st Domo Geshe Rinpoche. Tharpacholing Monastery of Kalimpong was also established by Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang and had given up the worship of Dorje Shugden a few years ago.