Shechen Monastery in Exile

The following article is from the Summer, 1998 issue of the Snow Lion Newsletter and is for historical reference only. You can see this in context of the original newsletter here.

Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery

Bodhgaya, the diamond throne of India,

is the center of the Buddhist world.

The main temple of Shechen Institute in Bodhgaya, India.

Bodhgaya, the diamond throne of India, is the center of the Buddhist world. There, under the Bodhi Tree, the renunciate Prince Siddhartha became the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is said that a thousand Buddhas have attained and a thousand more will attain enlightenment in the future in Bodhgaya. It is a pilgrimage place for people from all over the world, and many Buddhist countries have temples there. Among these are monasteries representing three of the four principal schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhism, Bodhi tree

It is said that a thousand Buddhas have attained and a thousand more will attain enlightenment in the future in Bodhgaya.

The late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche had expressed the wish to construct a monastery for the Nyingma School in Bodhgaya so that its rich tradition would also be present. The project was accomplished under the direction of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and with the participation of generous donors and dedicated volunteers the year this article was originally published. On January 23, 1998, Trulshik Rinpoche with Yangsi Rinpoche (the five year old reincarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche) in attendance, performed a day long consecration for the new temple. A few days later, the official opening ceremony was performed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Tibetan Buddhism, Nyingma Tradition, The main temple of Shechen Institute, Bodhgaya, India.

The main temple of Shechen Institute in Bodhgaya, India. (Photographer Juggadery)

The Monastery complex is located a few minutes' walk from the great stupa. Set off from the road, the beauty and harmony of the buildings create a feeling of a peaceful island. The main temple building is made of red stone. The design and shape of the golden roofs are based on the Potala in Lhasa. Inside the Temple on a stone stage carved by local Indian artisans are three large statues made by Bhutanese artists. The main figure is Lord Buddha and on either side are statues of Guru Padmasambhava and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. During the next few years, frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha will be painted by Konchok Lhadrepa and the Tsering Art School students.

Another building houses residence quarters for about 30 monks and a reading room library well stocked with books in Western languages. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche says of the library,

Many people come to Bodhgaya on pilgrimage. Yet not much information is available there for the study of Buddhism. So, we would like our library to be a place where people can come to read and study. Several publishers including Shambhala, Snow Lion and Padma Publishing have donated books on Buddhism, philosophy and history. Any donations of books are always appreciated.

A third building is the Shechen Institute the International Center for Nyingma Buddhist Studies which was founded by Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan. The Institute has nineteen comfortable double rooms and a large dining hall. Every year, Shechen Institute will offer a ten day, in-depth study program of Buddhist philosophy and practice for students from all over the world.

Bodhgaya is located in Bihar, one of the poorest regions of India. Shechen Institute is planning to provide a clinic on wheels dedicated to bringing free and professional medical assistance to the people of the neighboring villages.

The first International Seminar was scheduled for November 20-30, 1998, and the teachings were given by Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and other senior disciples of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. They were translated into English, French and Chinese. The daily program included teaching on Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's commentary on the text Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones, as well as a Madhyamika course, meditation instruction, and guided pilgrimages. It was a wonderful opportunity to study and practice in Bodhgaya in a quiet, monastic setting. The Institute quarters are also available for group rentals throughout the year.

Bodhgaya is located in Bihar, one of the poorest regions of India. Shechen Institute is planning to provide a clinic on wheels dedicated to bringing free and professional medical assistance to the people of the neighboring villages.

Tibetan Buddhism, Shechen Institute, Bodhgaya, India, Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama performing the opening ceremonies for the Shechen Institute, Bodhgaya, India

For further information about Shechen Monastery click here.

For more information:

Born in 1966, Shechen Rabjam is an accomplished Tibetan Buddhist teacher. The grandson and spiritual heir of the great twentieth-century meditation master Dilgo Khyentse, Rabjam is the abbot of Shechen monasteries in Nepal and India, supervises the Shechen Orgyan Chozong Nunnery in Bhutan, and leads various humanitarian aid projects in Tibet, Nepal, and India.

For more information:

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–1991) was a highly accomplished meditation master, scholar, and poet, and a principal holder of the Nyingma lineage. His extraordinary depth of realization enabled him to be, for all who met him, a foundation of loving-kindness, wisdom, and compassion.