The Rigsum Goemba in Tashiyangtse is more than 300 years old and is often Regarded as one of the most sacred monuments in Eastern Bhutan. The Rigsum Goenpa was completely reconstructed at the cost of Nu 15.5 million and consecrated by His Holiness the present Je Khenpo.
Located at an altitude of about 2,500-3,000 meters above sea level, the Goenpa is a seven-hour walk along a mountain trail from Bumdeling and was founded in the 18th century by Lam Tshering Gyamtsho, a close disciple of the 9th Je Khenpo Shacha Rinchen.
Lam Tshering Gyamtsho was succeeded by his spiritual heir Lam Jangchub Gyeltshen who renovated and extended the present-day Lhakhang just below the Rigsum Goemba monastery with the unique mural paintings of the Zepa Chuni or the twelve depictions of the life and deeds of Lord Buddha which can still be seen today. The temple was named Rig Sum Goenpa.
His nephew Lam Ngawang Loday who was ordained as the 3rd abbot of Rigsum Goenpa succeeded him monastery by His Holiness Yonten Thaye, the 13th Je Khenpo (1771-1775), who visited the region Enroute to Tsari Rongkor in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Lam Ngawang Loday constructed the bigger Lhakhang just above the lower Lhakhang and installed valuable Ku-Sung-Thukten including the Statue of Jowo Shacha Muni, 100 volumes of Kanjur, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay’s arts and crafts, and the enlightening stupas of Lord Buddha.
