Gomchen Pema Chewang Tamang

Gomchen Pema Chewang Tamang (1918 – 13 March 1966) was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, teacher and a renounced practitioner.

Lama Pema Chewang Gomchen
Personal
Born
Ratnaman Tamang

1918 (Year of Horse)
Boomtar, Namchi, South Sikkim, Kingdom of Sikkim
Died13 March 1966
Boomtar, Namchi, South Sikkim, Kingdom of Sikkim
Resting placeAlley Dichae Choling Gumpa, Namchi, South Sikkim, India
ReligionBuddhism
NationalitySikkimese
SchoolTibetan
SectNyingma
Notable work(s)Founder- Tendong Gumpa, Co-Founder member of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Dharma namesPéma Chewang
Organization
InstituteNamdroling Gumpa, Kharag, Tibet
Senior posting
TeacherKhempo Vangda Vajra, Lama Zerap Zanjapo
InitiationKarma Choye Kyab (Father's brother)

Born in Boomtar, Namchi, South Sikkim of erstwhile Sikkim Princely State, he was the main founder and head lama of Tendong Dichhen Salhun Gumpa. He did his spiritual studies in Tibet and acquired the title of ‘Gomchen’ (the great meditator) from an eminent Rimpoche Yongzi Dangi Wongpo of Namdroling Gumpa of Tibet. In the monastery, one of his classmates happened to be Maharani Kunzang Dechen, wife of Maharaja Sir Tashi Namgyal of Sikkim. Being a brilliant student and from her own kingdom, she had a cordial relation with Gomchen Pema Chewang Lama. Maharaja & Maharani later extended great help in building the monastery. He was also one among the Twenty-four founder members of the world-famous Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which is situated at Deorali, Gangtok. He possessed multi-talented personality, yet calm, gentle and simple, spent most of his time meditating in loneliness and sometimes helping the society of all spheres in their spiritual needs.[1]

Early life

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Born to a farmer family, he was the son of Sri. Nardhoj Yonzon Tamang and Chandramati Tamang. He had 2 siblings, a brother and a sister. Born to humble family and due to lack of conventional educational institutions in hometown, he was sent to his paternal uncle Lama Karma Choye Kyab who ordained him at the age of 7 the monastic name Pema Chewang was given. Later at the age of 12 he was put under the guidance of Guru, Khempo Yongda Vajra at the age of 12 in Tendong Gumopa to receive higher education on Buddhism. Later he has received his further education from Nepal and Tibet.[2]

Death

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His body was cremated in Alley Dichae Choling Gumpa in Namchi. The then King of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal attended the final rites at Palace Gumpa, Gangtok, conducted by the head lama of the most prominent Nyingma monastery in Sikkim, Pemayangtse monastery. at the behest of renounced Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Lhakpa Mehmeyka Tita- Mitha Kuraharu: Lama Lhakpa Bhomzon. Gangtok - Sikkim: Sikkim Tamang Baudha Sangh. 2000
  2. ^ Chhar Gyam- Phafulla Ghedung Pakyong, East Sikkim : January 1998