The following article is from the Spring, 1994 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter and is for historical reference only. You can see this in context of the original newsletter here. |
Reviving A Non-Sectarian Buddhist Tradition of Tibet: Ris Med Theckchog Namdol Ling Monastery Rebuilding Project
Thekchok Namdrol Ling Monestary is one of the few outstanding monasteries of Tibet following the non-sectarian tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by the fifth Jedrung Lobsang Trinley (alias Lelung Shadpa'i Dorjee) in 1717. Located in the Lelung Valley in Tibet, the monastery is also known as the Olkha Tekchok Namdroling.
The Fifth Lelung Rinpoche, Pema Zhepai Dorje was a great treasure discoverer with clairvoyant power. The great Indian Tantric adept Acharya Padmasambhava had predicted that Lelung Shadpa'i Dorjee would unearth the great treasure of "Secret Exalted Wisdom Dharma" (gSang wa Yesh es kyi chos ‘khor) which would greatly benefit the beings of the time of five degenerations.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama asked me to go to Tibet for such a transmission and also to rescue my predecessors' works on the Secret Exalted Wisdom Dharma treasure.
At present only a handful of masters are alive who hold the complete oral transmission of Lelung Rinpoches' "Secret Exalted Wisdom Dharma" treasure. Taking personal interest in this regard His Holiness the Dalai Lama asked me to go to Tibet for such a transmission and also to rescue my predecessors' works on the "Secret Exalted Wisdom Dharma" treasure. As the matter deemed urgent attention I had to break my studies at the Drepung Monastic University in South India and visit Tibet.
Ris Med Thekchog Namdol Ling Monastery was the place where the line of Jedrung Tulkus accomplished great spiritual attainments, and also other great masters like Je Tsongkhapa engaged in intensive meditational practices.
On my visit to 'ol Kha, it was unbelievable and heartbreaking to find the ruins of both the main and the other monasteries.
Ris Med Thekchog Namdol Ling Monastery was the place where the line of Jedrung Tulkus accomplished great spiritual attainments, and also other great masters like Je Tsongkhapa engaged in intensive meditational practices. At the main monastery there were about two hundred monks, with several other monasteries nearby. Also, in various parts of Tibet there were large and small monasteries and nunneries connected with the line of Lelung Rinpoches (also known as Jedrung Tulkus) and following the "Secret Exalted Wisdom Dharma" treasure.
While in Tibet, with great effort I was able to receive seventeen transmissions with regard to the "Secret Exalted Wisdom Dharma" treasure; I feel myself very fortunate with this.
For the revival of the non-sectarian tradition and the restoration of the Lelung's spiritual tradition, I have strongly felt the utmost need to rebuild at least the main monastery Ris Med Thek-chog Namdol Ling and recruit young monks. During my stay in 'ol Kha, with the help of native devotees and my own contributions, I was able to procure most of the wood requirements for rebuilding the main monastery.
Many generous donations and time were needed to fund and procure the entire project of reconstruction. You are most welcome to visit the new monastery in 'ol Kha for study, contemplation, meditation and also for courtesy visit.