GOMCHEN PEMA CHEWANG TAMANG OF NAMCHI, SOUTH SIKKIM

(1918 - 1966)

Gomchen Pema Chewang Tamang (1918–1966) was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, teacher and a renounced practitioner. Born as Ratnaman Tamang 1918 (Year of Horse) Boomtar, Namchi, South Sikkim, Erstwhile Sikkim Princely State, he was the main founder and head lama of Tendong Dichhen Salhun Gumpa. He did his spiritual studies in Tibet and acquired the title of ‘Gomchen’ (the great meditator) from an eminent Rimpoche Yongzi Dangi Wongpo of Namdroling Gumpa of Tibet. In the monastery, one of his classmates happened to be Maharani Kunzang Dechen, wife of Maharaja Sir Tashi Namgyal of Sikkim. Being a brilliant student and from her own kingdom, she had a cordial relation with Gomchen Pema Chewang Lama. Maharaja & Maharani later extended great help in building the monastery. He was also one among the Twenty-four founder members of the world-famous Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which is situated at Deorali, Gangtok. He possessed multi-talented personality, yet calm, gentle and simple, spent most of his time meditating in loneliness and sometimes helping the society of all spheres in their spiritual needs.

Born to a farmer family, he was the son of Sri. Nardhoj Yonzon Tamang and Chandramati Tamang. He had 2 siblings, a brother and a sister. Born to humble family and due to lack of conventional educational institutions in hometown, he was sent to his paternal uncle Lama Karma Choye Kyab who ordained him at the age of 7 the monastric name Pema Chewang was given. Later at the age of 12 he was put under the guidance of Guru, Khempo Yongda Vajra at the age of 12 in Tendong Gumopa to receive higher education on Buddhism. Later he has received his further education from Nepal and Tibet.

His religious career includes as a Founder- Tendong Gumpa, Co-Founder member of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

Died on 13 March 1966. His body was cremated in Alley Dichae Choling Gumpa in Namchi. The then King of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal attended the final rites at Palace Gumpa, Gangtok, conducted by the head lama of the most prominent Nyingma monastery in Sikkim, Pemayangtse monastery. at the behest of renounced Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.