The Archive of Kupijigsa Lhakhang holds a diverse and historically significant collection of manuscripts, meticulously crafted over centuries. This extensive repository includes sutras, hagiographies, and recitation manuals, with notable works such as the complete Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines and Heaps of Jewels. The majority of these manuscripts are handwritten in uchen and umey scripts, transcribed with black ink on cream-colored, handmade Bhutanese paper. While most are hand-inscribed, the archive also contains some block prints. The texts are thoughtfully organized in the flexible poti format, spanning multiple volumes in various sizes and layouts. Preserved as sacred relics, the Kupijigsa Lhakhang manuscripts are carefully stored within the temple on traditional bookshelves, positioned near the main shrine. Each manuscript is wrapped in layers of cloth and protected by two wooden boards, bound securely with string. These measures underscore the profound reverence and diligent care afforded to these spiritual treasures. Unfortunately, much of the collection has sustained damage over time, with worm infestations and natural wear posing ongoing challenges to its preservation.
Extent: 1 collection of manuscripts containing 56 volumes.
Condition of original material: All the volumes have endured considerable damage from worms, and the majority of the top and bottom pages torn.
Custodial history: Dechencholing Lhakhang, widely recognized as Kupijigsa Lhakhang, is deeply embedded in the spiritual life of Yangnyer village, serving as its communal hub of religious practice and tradition. This sacred temple has been in the hands of a devoted community of lay practitioners known as the gomde from its very beginning. Within this community, leadership is provided by the tsholop, or community lam, who is responsible for guiding the gomde in spiritual matters. A crucial aspect of this spiritual leadership involves the appointment of a caretaker, locally known as the kon-nyer, from among the members of the gomde. The kon-nyer holds the significant responsibility of preserving the temple’s artifacts and ensuring the continuity of religious practices. The archives of Dechencholing Lhakhang, containing historical and religious manuscripts, have thus been meticulously cared for by a succession of kon-nyer. This continuous line of dedicated caretakers not only upholds the day-to-day upkeep of the temple but also safeguards the intangible cultural heritage of Yangnyer village. Through their devotion, the spiritual essence and community traditions within Dechencholing Lhakhang are maintained for future generations.
Arrangement: The Kupijigsa Lhakhang Archive is methodically divided into two primary sections: the Sutra Collection and Miscellaneous Texts. The Sutra Collection features a rich array of sutras, including the "Perfection of Wisdom in One Hundred Thousand Lines," "Heaps of Jewels," "Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines," "Collected Names of Buddhas," and the "Five Great Dharanis." In contrast, the Miscellaneous collection comprises a diverse selection of texts, encompassing biographies of Padmasambhava, the compiled works of the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo, and various liturgical guides. All items within the archive are systematically arranged based on thier volumes.
Author(s)/Creator(s): The majority of the collection, excluding the block prints, was likely created at Kupijigsa Temple by various individuals over a period spanning the 16th to 18th centuries.
