Shang Choling Buddhist Monastery is an important religious and cultural center located in Jamuna, Ilam District, in the eastern part of Nepal. It was formerly in Ward No. 1 of Jamuna and is now in Ward No. 5 of Sandakpur Rural Municipality.
The monastery was established around 2043–2044 B.S. (1986–1987 A.D.) through the initiative of respected local elders and members of the community of Jamuna. In the early stage, religious programs of the monastery were conducted in the houses of local people. Lama gurus were invited from western Pokhara to perform prayers and religious activities.
One of the founding elders of the monastery was Khinraj Gurung, who played an important role in establishing the institution. After 2048 B.S. (1991 A.D.), Bir Bahadur Gurung arranged three statues of Lord Buddha, Buddhist scriptures, and other religious materials at his own house. With the participation of the local community, he continued the tradition of conducting monthly Dashami prayers.
In 2057 B.S. (2000 A.D.), a new committee was formed under the chairmanship of Bhoj Bahadur Gurung. For the construction of the monastery, land was donated in the name of the institution by the family of Megh Bahadur Gurung, son of Rankeshar Gurung. After that, construction work of the monastery began, and in 2060 B.S. (2003 A.D.), the monastery was officially registered at the District Administration Office of Ilam according to government rules, and the construction was completed.
Around 2065 B.S. (2008 A.D.), another committee was formed under the leadership of Netra Bahadur Gurung. During their tenure, structures such as a kitchen house, water tap, and toilets were constructed to improve the facilities of the monastery.
Subsequently, in 2009, it was officially registered with the Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Gumba Development Committee, Shree Mahal, Pulchowk, Kathmandu, under the Government of Nepal, after fulfilling all the required criteria.
The monastery building was seriously damaged during the devastating earthquake of 2072 B.S. (2015 A.D.). After that, the reconstruction work began under the management coordination of Sange Legden Gurung, with Tul Bahadur Gurung as construction chairman and Thakur Gurung supervising the project. Financial support from donors living abroad, as well as moral, material, and financial support and voluntary labor from the local community, helped in rebuilding the monastery.
Finally, on Magh 21–23, 2079 B.S. (February 2023 A.D.), the monastery was grandly inaugurated during a three-day religious program. The ceremony was held in the presence of His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Sange Rangjung as the chief guest. The event included spiritual rituals and blessings (Wang), with the participation of hundreds of Lama gurus, local government representatives, senior intellectuals, representatives of Hindu and Kirat communities, and cultural dances from local ethnic groups. Thousands of people from Nepal and abroad attended the celebration.
At present, under the leadership of Chairman and Head Lama Lopen Sange Legden Gurung, daily, monthly, and annual religious rituals and spiritual programs are regularly conducted at the monastery. Around 150 households from the local community are directly connected with the monastery, and many devotees and well-wishers from Nepal and abroad continue to support its activities.
The monastery welcomes everyone and does not practice discrimination based on caste or gender. Its doors are always open to all. With prior information, accommodation and food facilities can also be arranged for monks and guests coming from distant places. The monastery also has its own Guthi (trust property and fund) to support its activities.
Sang Chhyoling Buddhist Monastery continues to play an important role as a religious, cultural, and spiritual center for the local community.