Kyichu Lhakhang
Located at an altitude of 2200 meters above the sea level, at a distance of about 5 kilometers and 10 minutes drive from Paro Town, this 7th century Temple is one of the oldest in the country. The temple is located in Lango Gewog of Paro district.
History
The first temple or the Jowo temple was built in 659 AD by the 33rd Tibetan King Songtsen Genpo. Legend has it that the King was tasked to built a total of 108 temples in a single day in order to Subdue a giant demoness that was creating nuisance in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan region; Kyichu Lhakhang is said to be on the location of the demonesses left foot and therefore was one of the 12 main temples of the total of 108 built by Songtsen Gempo in a single day.
Over the centuries, renowned Buddhist saints visited the temple and blessed it such as the visit of Padmasambhava and Phajo Druggom Zhigpo. The temple was renovated and expanded in 1839 by the 25th Je Khenpo Sherab Gyeltshen, adding the Chenrezig Lhakhang that sits as an exterior entrance to the Jowo Temple. In 1968 the temple was yet again expanded by Her Royal Highness Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuck, adding the latest temple of Guru Nangsoed Zilnoen.
Name Etymology and Temple layout
The 4 temples of Kyichu Lhakhang
1. The Jowo Lhakhang
Built in 659 by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo the Jowo Lhakhang features the following:-
- The Main Statue is of Jowo Shakyamuni, the Present Buddha wearing the crown of future Buddha Maitreya, with his 2 disciples Mudgyalyana and Shariputra standing on the sides.
- Statues of 8 Bodhisattavas
- Statues of Zhabdrung Tshokor Sum and
-Statue of Guru Choekor Sum
2. The Chenrezig Lhakhang
-The Chenrezig Lhakhang was built by Je Sherab Gyeltshen in 1838 as an exterior extension to the entrance of the main 1st temple. The wooden floor has a foot imprint of the Jekhenpo formed after years of prostrations. The temple features the following:-
- Statue of 4 armed Avalokitesvara/ Chenrezig and statue of Songtsen Gempo by Je Sherab Gyeltshen
- Statue of 11-headed Avalokitesvara/ Chenrezig offered by Paro Penlop dawa Penjor
- Paintings from the Jataka tales
- A Namgyelma Stupa
3. Guru Lhakhang
A Guru Lhakhang was built in 1936 by Paro Penlop Kuzhu Tshering Penjor right next to the Chenrezig temple. the lhakhang was used as a bedroom by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The Lhakhang has the following features:-
- Statues of Guru Rinpoche and his 8 manifestations
- Painting of Guru Zangdopelri
- & painting of Zhabdrung Phunsum Tshogpa
4. The Guru Nangsoed Zilnoen Temple
This temple of Guru Nangsoed Zilnoen was constructed by Her Royal Highness Azhi Kezang Choden Wangchuck in 1968. The temple features the following :-
- Main Central Figure is the statue of Guru Nangsoed Zilnoen
-Statue of Padmasambhava in wrathful form called Guru Horsok madhog
- A wax statue of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
- Statue of Khenpo Zhiwatsho Shantarakshista
- Standing form of Manjushri, The bodhisattava of wisdom
- Paintings of 8 manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
The name Kyichu literally means 'accumulated water', probably referencing that a water body was formed in the vicinity of the Lhakhang in olden days.
The Lhakhang today has 4 chambers or temples, each constructed over the years by various figures. At the entrance gate of the courtyard, one can see the painting of Ling Gesar Gyeb. In the courtyard are 2 orange trees of unknown origins bearing fruit year-round, which is unusual for Paro's vegetation and climate. There are also 3 stupas in the courtyard which relate to the life of the Buddha.