The Sights, Sounds and Souls of Shingkhar; -Some Prominent Service Man From Shingkhar Naktsang

Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam,
The founding Father of Shingkhar Dechenling

The lineage of Shingkhar Lam established by Tsezang Thaye Drakpa thrived for many centuries. The lineage had produced some of the most rare craftsman and scholars in the community. The important ones were Lam Ja-Boe Ma. As per the oral stories narrated by locals, it is believed that the lama had many supernatural powers. Even though he had not displayed it publicly, Some of his magical trips to Tibet and India in single day  not only astonished the locals but have also baffled them beyond. Some monuments crafted by Lama Ja-Boe Ma are today visible in the form of wooden mask of Lhamo and Goenpo in the Lhakhang. The monuments are displayed for public once in a year (during Shingkhar Rabney)

Few generations after him, one generation of Shingkhar Lam sadly couldn't produce a male heir. However to replace a male heir to the throne of Shingkhar Lam, a Peling descendant from Sumthrang village of Bumthang  Ura was married to a daughter of Shingkhar Lam. His name was Chhoeje Lhamo. Few years into their marriage, they gave birth to three sons, Lama Sonam, Lama Kencho and Lama Jigme.

Subsequently, Lama Sonam, the eldest son, became a very loyal servant to His Majesty Jigme Wangchuck, the second hereditary King of Bhutan. At the court of His Majesty, Lama Sonam was not only known for his stunning good looks but was equally known for his beautiful voice.  He read the most famous epic of Ling Gesar to His  Majesty. On His Majesty's Command, he even sang those epic songs  and entertained His Majesty. 

Sadly Lama Sonam met his untimely demise in India, when he was on a trip to India to buy some household items for the Royal Family. However he had his son to continue his legacy; the late Dasho Karma Galey, who served as a Royal Advisor to His Majesty the fifth King until he passes away on 16th January 2008.

The second son of Chhoeje Lhamo was Lama Kencho. He continued the lineage of Shingkhar Lam. He had two sons. Lama Kunzang Wangchuk, (Popularly known as Dasho Shingkhar Lam) and Lama Nudup (the Current Shingkhar Lama)

Interestingly, when the Lama Sonam passed away, his absence in the Royal court was bridged by his two nephews ( Lama Kunzang Wangchuk and Lama Choney Jamtsho). His Majesty the second king, out of his affection named two of them as 'Lam Chungs' -the little  lamas.

To fill in the boots of his late uncle, Lama Kunzang Wangchuk continued the legacy serving His Majesty with full dedication. In a customary manner he succeeded in entertaining His Majesty with epic of Ling Gesar (like his late uncle) In the mean time, His Majesty sent back Lama Choney Jamtsho back to Shingkhar to continue the lineage of Shingkhar Lam.

The youngest son of Chhoeje Lhamo was Lama Jigme. He moved to Kurtoe and started his family away from the Shingkhar Naktsang. His only son, Lama Choney Jamtsho became the Shingkhar Lama later. The reincarnate of Lama Jigme is none other than the grand son of Shingkhar Lam Kunzang Wangchuk; His name is Lama Ugyen Jigme. He continues to live a very ordinary life with ordinary people. 

Dasho Shingkhar Lam Kunzang Wangchuk

Late Dasho Karma Galey

Lama Ugyen Jigme.