| Pemayangtse Monastery | |
|---|---|
 Main Shrine of Pemangytse Monastery in Gyalshing district (Sikkim) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
| Sect | Nyingma |
| Festivals | Chaam, 28 -29th of the 12th Tibetan month. |
| Location | |
| Location | Pemayangtse, Gyalshing district, Sikkim, India |
| Country |  India |
  Location within Sikkim | |
| Geographic coordinates | 27°18′16″N 88°15′10″E / 27.30444°N 88.25278°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Lama Lhatsun Chempo |
| Date established | 1705 |
| Nearest town/city is Gyalshing & Pelling | |
The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Pemayangtse, near Gyalshing city in Gyalshing district in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, located 6 km from Gyalshing city, the district headquarters, 110 km west of Gangtok.[1] Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1647, it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, also the most famous in Sikkim.[1][2] Originally started as a small Lhakhang, it was subsequently enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal and Khenchen Rolpai Dorjee in the year 1705 and consecrated by the third Lhatsun Chenpo Dzogchen Jigme Pawo in the year 1710 C.E. The monastery follows the Nyingma Order of Tibetan Buddhism and controls all other monasteries of that Order in Sikkim. The monks of this monastery are normally chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim.[3]
The monastery was built for "pure monks" (ta-tshang) meaning "monks of pure lineage", celibate and without any physical abnormality. This practice is still retained. Only the monks of Pemayangtse Monastery are entitled to the title "ta-tshang". The head lama of this monastery had the unique privilege of anointing the Chogyals of the erstwhile monarchy of Sikkim with holy water.[2][4] Pemayangtse means "Perfect Sublime Lotus", and is said to represent one of the four plexus of the human body.[citation needed]
The Pemayangtse Monastery is part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit starting with the first monastery at Yuksom known as the Dubdi Monastery, followed by Norbugang Chorten, Tashiding Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Khecheopalri Lake.[5]
- ^ a b "Pemayangtse Monastery". Buddhist Tourism. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ a b "The Sublime Perfect Lotus". Sikkimonline. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Pemayangtse Monastery". National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ Joshi, H.G. (2004). Sikkim: past and present. Mittal Publications. pp. 14–15. ISBN 81-7099-932-4. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ Choudhury, Maitreyee (2006). Sikkim: Geographical Perspects. Mittal Publications. pp. 80–81. ISBN 81-8324-158-1. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2010.