History Purbuchok Hermitage

the earliest history of hermitage traced ninth century when padmasambhava (padma ’byung gnas) meditated here. main cave did penance known ‘cavern of dochung chongzhi (rdo cung cong zhi’i phug pa) . however, in twelfth century founder of tshalpa kagyu school, zhang drowé gönpo yudrakpa (1123-1193), founded practice centre here. thereafter, location has been known purchok (literal meaning), “a dagger @ pinnacle”. on centuries, monastery has seen many eminent monastic officials playing role in building, such zhang ’gro ba’i mgon po g.yu brag pa (1123–1193), female saint ma cig lab sgron, sgrub khang dge legs rgya mtsho’s (1641–1713), ngawang jampa (phur lcog sku phreng dang po ngag dbang byams pa, 1682–1762) , pan chen blo bzang ye shes (1663–1737). royal family members queen tsering trashi (rgyal mo tshe ring bkra shis) , king of tibet pho lha nas (1689–1747) supported activities of hermitage. however, significant face of development occurred during third purchok incarnation lozang tsültrim jampa gyatso (phur lcog sku phreng gsum pa blo bzang tshul khrims byams pa rgya mtsho) teacher of 13th , 14th dalai lamas.

however, upon chinese invasion of 1959, hermitage saw total destruction. since 1984, approval of local government, reconstruction phase begun , hermitage has been substantially restored past glory.