Lhakhang, literally "House of Gods", is the Tibetan name for a shrine-hall, that is a room or building where religious ceremonies and practices are held. Its focal point is the altar. Sometimes within one monastery there are several different shrines halls. The entire monastic compound including the shrine halls and monks' quarters is called "a gompa". However, nowadays in Western Dharma centres, this term is often used for the shrine room itself.
The custom of giving separate names for lhakhangs, different from the names of the entire monasteries, has existed in Tibet since centuries. For example, the main shrine hall in Benchen Monastery in Tibet has its own name, independent from the name of the monastery, as does the lhakhang within the Benchen Shedra Institute in Pharping.
Following this tradition, during his stay in Nepal in October 2016 Lama Rinchen requested His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche to give a separate name to our lhakhang in Grabnik. Rinpoche enthusiastically agreed and decided to call the shrine Lhakhang Jinlab Trinpung - Clouds of Blessings Temple.
This is an exceptionally auspicious name. This is how one of the main temples of the Khadampa tradition was called, from which the Kagyu school draws many teachings and inspiration.
The Buddhist Centre in Grabnik is called Benchen Karma Kamtsang Ling Grabnik and within it separate names were given to:
- the shrine: Lhakhang Jinlab Trinpung (Clouds of Blessings Temple)
- the three-year retreat: Drubkhang Benchen Drubde Osal Ling (Clear Light Benchen Retreat Centre).