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.