25/05/2026
Loden Culture Team's Digitization Mission in Sarpang
The Loden Culture team recently traveled to Sarpang to digitize a rare collection of Kanjur manuscripts housed at Pelri Sangchen Yoeselcholing, a Zangtho Pelri temple — a collection that holds far more than historical significance. According to oral history, the very existence of the temple and its monastery is owed to this Kanjur. The original owner of the manuscript had a small temple built specifically to house it, and monks from Tharpaling Monastery in Bumthang were invited annually to conduct Kanjur recitations. Over time, the temple was offered to Tharpaling Monastery, and later, the family of the previous owner constructed the current temple. It remains under the monastery's stewardship to this day.
The digitization effort spanned a full month, during which the team made a notable discovery — two volumes of the Kanjur, known as Tri Gaytong Kha and Gyetongpa, are missing.
The manuscript collection holds deep historical value. It was produced in the early 18th century, by Ngawang Drukpa — popularly known as Tshamdra Ngawang Drukpa — at Tshamdra Gonpa in Chukha. The work took three years to complete, not in one continuous effort, but gradually, as the Lama painstakingly assembled resources over time to bring the manuscript to completion.
The Kanjur's journey from Tshamdra Gonpa to Sarpang traces back to the early 20th century, when the monastery fell into disrepair and the community was unable to fund repairs to its roof. The Tshamdra community turned to a local elite family for help, who generously covered the cost of roofing the temple with CGI sheets. As a gesture of gratitude, the community offered the Kanjur to the family. Tshamdra Gonpa had originally held two sets of the Kanjur — a block print edition known as the Narthang Kanjur, and the handwritten manuscript. The block print edition remains at Tshamdra Gonpa to this day, along with the two missing volumes of the manuscript edition.
Beyond their preservation work, the culture team also made a meaningful impact in the local community. As part of their school's experiential learning programme, Nazhoen Scouts from Classes VIII and X of Sarpang Middle Secondary School visited Pelri Sangchen Yoeselcholing, gaining firsthand exposure to Bhutan's spiritual and cultural heritage. During the visit, the teacher accompanying the students requested Dorji Gyeltshen to share about the work being carried out at the temple. Upon her request, he gave a brief account of the Loden Foundation, its culture programme, and in particular, the ongoing digitization initiative.
The visit left a deep impression on the young scouts, and the following day, Sarpang Middle Secondary School extended a formal invitation for Dorji Gyeltshen to address the wider student body. He spoke about the Loden Foundation and its programs, encouraging young learners to take pride in their cultural heritage and to see themselves as stewards of Bhutan's living traditions. The school expressed their appreciation, noting that his insights and encouragement motivated students to value their culture, build confidence, and strive for a brighter future.
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