Long-nying Chöling Monastery also preserves the lineage of Zhije Chöd, which focuses on the pacification of suffering through the practice of severing the ego. This practice is based on the Prajñāpāramitā, or Perfection of Wisdom sutras, which elucidate the concept of emptiness in Buddhist philosophy. It is one of the Eight Chariots of Transmission, which originated in Tibet from the Indian master Padampa Sanggye and was transmitted to Machik Labdrön.

In Eastern Bhutan, practitioners have long followed the Jewel Garland of Chöd (Tib. Tsoklé Rinchen Trengwa), a collection of Chöd texts compiled by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, and arranged by Karma Chakmé. The yogi lamas of this monastery were also Chöd practitioners, and the melody that accompanies this practice is considered part of the tradition of the Crazy Chöd yogi, Dharma Sengye. The tradition was further strengthened when Lama Yogi Lama Sonam Druktop visited the monastery and nearby areas, bestowing empowerment, transmission, and teachings on Chöd.

Other Chöd practices preserved at the monastery include the Dudjom Tersar tradition’s Chöd practice of Tröma Nakmo, The Ḍākinī’s Loud Laughter Chöd Practice from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse (Longchen Nyingtik), Sangwa Yeshe from Tsasum Lingpa, and the Dzinpa Rangdrol cycle from Do Kyentse Yeshe Dorje.

Ven. Lama Norbu Wangdi is also a master of Chöd practice. He initially received empowerments, teachings, and transmissions of all the aforementioned Chöd traditions and underwent rigorous and extensive Chöd retreats of Jewel of Garland and Tröma Nakmo from the Dudjom treasure. He has maintained the unique melodies and ritual traditions learned from various masters, including Dudjom Rinpoche’s students, Lama Gyalwang Nima, and many others. Particularly, this monastery holds the unique melodies of the Khandrö Gegyang Chöd from the Longchen Nyingtik cycle, taught by Gyanak Lama, who was the chief priest of Se Dopola, a famous governor of Trashigang district in Eastern Bhutan.

Under the guidance of Ven. Lama Norwang, there are also groups of lay female practitioners from around the monastery. This tradition has been carried on for many generations, not due to new trends, but because of its deep-rooted history. Female practitioners from the village, along with Gomchens, perform Chöd practices such as Tsoklé Rinchen Trengwa, the Jewel Garland of Chöd, and Tröma as extensive feast rituals on various occasions, such as on dakini days, as rituals for households in the village, and group practice during important auspicious days at the monastery. 

Additionally, they perform the Dakini Laughter Chöd as a night session practice or to benefit sick people around the village.

A couple of years ago, Khenpo Namchak Dorji taught another Chöd practice of Sangwa Yeshe from the Tsasum Lingpa lineage. This tradition was instituted, and now all the sanghas have learned and perform this Chöd as well.