Stok
Gompa is a subsidiary of Spituk and both were founded
by the same lama, Nawang Lotus, during the reign of
King Takpa Bumbde. The oldest parts of the gompa are
some 550 years old though the main Dukhang is only
about fifty years old. Stok belongs to the yellow-hat
sect of Buddhism and has about 20 lamas living there.Entering
the central courtyard with its tall prayer flag pole,
the main Dukhang is up a short flight of steps. The
entrance verandah has new and colorful mural paintings
of the Guardians of the Four Directions. Inside, the
Dukhang has been recently repainted and the room is
decorated with numerous banners and thankas. The entrance
wall on either side of the door depicts various guardian
dividities. On the left side wall the central image
is of Vajrapani (Vajra-in-Hand), while the image on
the left is that of Avalokitesvara (also known as
the "Lord of All He Surveys", believed to
be reincarnated in the Dalai Lama and the throneto
the right is for the head lama of Stok.
On
the right is an impressive image of Yamadhaka, a
guardian divinity. There is a small chapel behind
the Dukhang, entered through doors by the side of
the throne seats. This chapel is the oldest part
of the gompa. Its central image is of Tsong-kha-pa,
the founder of the yellow-hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
To the right of this two-storey high image are three
small statues: a yellow-hat lama and two of Sakyamuni.
To the left of the central image is another yellow-hat
lama, Avalokitesvara in his four-armed manifestation
and Maityreya, the Future Buddha or Buddha of Compassion.
By the wall on the right is an image of the founder,
Nawang Lotus.
Leave the Dukhang and go immediately to the right
through a low door. On the right is a small chapel
with a row of Buddha images that depict the eight
hand gestures of Buddha. Unfortunately, the Buddhas
are covered with cloth so most of the gestures are
not visible. Masks used during Stok's January festival
are seen hanging from the pillars in this room.
Leaving this chapel, go up the stairs in front of
it for two flight of steps, emerging on a small
upper courtyard. Straight across the courtyard area
is a door leading to the head lama's apartment.
This room is decorated with several thankas but
is mostly notable for the intricate woodcarving
on the two low tables in front of the seat. A door
on the left side of the courtyard opens onto the
gompa's library. This room has a complete set of
the Kandshur, the 108 volumes of the Buddha's teachings.
The central image in this library is of Sakyamuni
(the Historical Buddha). Return to the main courtyard
and to the left of the Dukhang is a new temple dedicated
to Avalokitesvara. This temple has a new and large
image of Avalokitesvara with his 1,000 arms (to
demonstrate his enormous strength) and 11 heads.
On either side of this image are numerous small
stucco images of lamas and Buddas.
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