Her Majesty Queen Mother Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck graced the ground-breaking ceremony or Salang Tendrel of the redevelopment of Dechenphodrang Monastic School in Thimphu, today. The Laytshog Lopen of the Central Monastic Body presided over the ceremony. Through the redevelopment project, the monastic school will be transformed into a model monastic institution in the country with a conducive learning environment for monks.
According to the principal of the school, the current structure is old and has developed cracks, posing potential risks to both monks and teachers.
The monastic school, established in 1972, currently has about 300 monks.
For now, monks are temporarily relocated to the former Nima High School until the redevelopment is complete.
Tshewang, Principal of Dechenphodrang Monastic School said “Until now, all the facilities in the monastic school were provided from a small area, which was quite inconvenient. However, if facilities such as proper toilets and residential areas are established, it will motivate both monks and the dharma practitioners.”
Yeshi Samdrup, Chief Architect of the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development said “One of the top priority projects in the 13th Five-Year Plan is the redevelopment of the Dechenphodrang Monastic School. Through this project, we aim to revitalise the existing infrastructure and introduce modern facilities to the monks.”
The project will be executed in two phases.
During the first phase, residential areas for monks and teachers will be constructed in Babena, below the Dechenphodrang Lhakhang.
The second phase, which will start from December, will focus on redeveloping the main structures including classrooms, a prayer hall, an administrative zone, a library, dining and toilet facilities, and a guest house.
However, the main lhakhang will not undergo redevelopment.
The Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development is coordinating the three-year project.
The government is funding the project worth more than Nu 280 M.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Tshering Zam
