Places to Visit
Sang Chokhor Buddhist College
Sang Chokhor Buddhist College is in Paro located on the top of the Mountain of Paro valley. The place is meant for monks to undergo studies for 6 years.
Sang Chokhor Buddhist College, Paro, Bhutan. It was established in 1765 by Choglay Truku Sacha Tenzin. The College is the seat of Sungtrul (Speech reincarnation) of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is located on the mountain top of the Paro valley. You can drive to the hilltop which is 13.7 km and takes nearly 25-30 minutes to reach the college. Around 150-200 students are accommodated to undergo Buddhist. It takes 6 years course in Sang Chokhor Buddhist College before they go to do graduation from Tango Buddhist College in Thimphu.
At night you can see Sang Chokhor Buddhist College spotlit up high on the top top of the Paro Valley.
Education and Practice of Sang Chokhor Buddhist College
For centuries, the monasteries were the only available centers for learning. Now in Bhutan, we got the college to undergo further studies. Sang Chokhor Buddhist College plays a vital role in Buddhist studies. Here the medium of instruction is Chokey. The unique Dzongkha script known as “Juyig” was created in the early 9th century by the scholar Dhenmang Tsemang.
Skills learned and taught in Buddhist College were not only meant to enhance the spirituality of Monks but also prepare them to become good citizens, to be self-sufficient, and live happiness throughout life.
English is also taught as the medium of education in college to cope with the changing world and scenarios. Most college students of Buddhist studies go outside the country to represent the country.
The monk’s education does not end by his gaining proficiency in Buddhist studies alone. After receiving theoretical teachings, he must undergo, in one of the Meditation Centres, a minimum of three years’ meditation practice.
After democracy in 2008 monks were not allowed to vote because religion and politics should be separated. It is aligned with the provisions of the Constitution. In the Constitution of Bhutan, any political party wins the election and forms the government. The government should be the patron of Zhung Dratshang.
How to visit
You can take a car drive to the place from Paro Town. You can visit the place when you want to go for Bumdra Trek, which is a popular short, and easy trek for 3 days. The starting point to hike is Sang-Chokhor Buddhist College.
The best of visiting the Buddhist College is during Bumdra Trek. The beauty of college is to check out how the Buddhist college undergoes studies pertaining to Buddhist teachings and philosophies.
Places nearby
Bumdra Trek route
Bumdra Trek route will start from Sang Chokhor Buddhist College. There is Lhakhang inside the college. The trek starts with the first landmark being Chhoe Tse Lhakang temple about 2 hours away. The trek starts from here and passes through forestry ridge where you can see virgin nature. This continues and finds on the way prayer flags fluttering. Finally a breathtaking view of Paro and Do Chhu valley.
Paro Taksang
You can trek from Sang Chokhor Buddhist College to Taksang Monastery. Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan is located on the granite cliff above Paro Valley with an elevation of 3120m(10240ft). It is a sacred site for Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhists. It is one of the 13th sites of Guru Padmasambhava, who flew on the back of the Tigress from Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan and meditated there. Another legend says Yeshe Tsogyal former wife of the Tibetan Emperor was a disciple of Guru. She transformed into Tigrees and flew to Paro with Guru to spread Buddhism in the Himalayan country Bhutan. Guru started meditation in the cave. “Taksang” literally means “Tigeress lair”.Guru started meditating in the 8th century and also started preaching Dharma. Guru meditated and manifested into eight incarnated forms. The place turned into a holy site. Guru Padmasambhava, according to the legend, meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours.
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