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.