SAMTEN CHOESELING (SOGDOPA) MONASTERY

 Nawang Oser is Chief Lama of Samten Choeseling (Sogdopa) Monastery

Samten Choeseling Monastery is situated in Sogdopa Village where the Sherpas have lived in the Spring Season since the ancient age.  The Soka means spring season and Dopa means living place in Sherpa language, which lies on Chaitra and Baisakh (Nepali month) for the Yak farm hut.  The villagers generally call the Samten Choeseling Monastery the Sogdopa monastery.  After the construction of this monastery which is named religiously. 

This denotes the Samadhi Deep in1845 AD (1905 BS) according to the “Monastery survey book 1989/90 AD” But the reality about the monastery is as follows:

In 1983 AD (2040 BS) the initiatives had been taken by late Mr. Mangle Lama Sherpa including other villagers requested to Mr. Ngawang Oser Lama Sherpa to settle in the monastery. 

He established a school named “Shree Himalaya Buddha Vidhayapith” under the assistance of the villagers.  There was Lama Books and Nepali Course books in the school. There was a Lama Student saving funds for the continuation of the school from the interest of the principle funds. 

The Lama had corresponded for the approval of the school from the government.  As a result, the District Education Office (Charikot, Dolakha) and monastery school had reached an agreement in 1986 AD (2043 BS) for the approval of curriculum of HMG rules and Lama Books.  The building was reconstructed, providing for an additional two floors in the south block of the monastery. 

Additionally, a six-room building was constructed in the northern block of the monastery for the residence of the student and teacher.  After that, the renovation of the monastery was done under the assistance of the remote area development committee; Ministry of Local Development provided funding of Nrs. 50,000 in 1988 AD (2045 BS). 

In the same year there was a visit of the chief incarnated (Awatari) Lama of Tengpoche monastery Mr. Ngawang Tenzin Zangpo Sherpa.  He bestowed educational and spiritual blessings to the Lama students and constructed a dining hall in the eastern block of the monastery.

Historically fine art of Gods & Goddesses are featured on both sides of the monastery.

This is public monastery and presently, the chief Lama is Nawang Oser Lama Sherpa.  There are total of 13 Lamas.

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