The Monastery of Dagpo Shedrup Ling
Dagpo Shedrup Ling has a long history. She is a Tibetan Buddhist monastic university established in southeastern Tibet in the mid-15th century. It was commissioned by the great teacher Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) and founded by Lodrö Tenpa (1402-1476). For centuries, until 1959, the path to enlightenment was taught, studied and practiced, as recorded by Je Tsongkhapa in the Lamrim Chemo. In this work, the entire teachings of the Buddha are presented in a clear manner. The complete teaching is always passed on from teacher to student.
Flight from Tibet
In 1959 there were about 700 monks studying in the monastic university. Unfortunately due to the invasion of the Chinese in Tibet, the monastery could no longer function. Many monks had to leave Tibet in 1959 (and beyond). After many difficult years the monastic university has, in 2005, thanks to the unwavering support of the Venerable Dagpo Rinochee, found a new home in Kaïs in the Kullu Valley in India.
*For more information about the monastery click here for the facebook page of the monastery.
And here for a small impression.
In 2021
Buddhism is popular today. Many elements of what the Buddha taught can be found in books and courses that are given everywhere to contribute to the well-being of people. The uniqueness of Dagpo Shedrup Ling is that the entire teaching of the Buddha, the complete path to the ultimate happiness of enlightenment, is studied and practiced purely and in its entirety. This makes it an exceptional place.
There now more than one hundred and eighty monks study according to the methods and traditions, such as those from the middle of the 15th centurye century and that originally came from the Buddha.
Unique place
The uniqueness of Dagpo Shedrup Ling is that the entire teaching of the Buddha, the complete path to the ultimate happiness of enlightenment, is studied and practiced purely and in its entirety. This makes it an exceptional place. Look here a video about the monastery
For the refugee Tibetans who now live near the monastery in various settlements, the monastery is an important link to their culture and religion. But also for many people from the West and from other Asian countries who have come into contact with the Dagpo traditions, often through the Venerable Dagpo Rinpochee, the monastery is an important foundation and support for their spiritual education and their development path.
More than a monastery
This is how the doctor's office medical assistance for all people from Kais and children can go to the primary school.
We hope that it can live on for a very long time and that the Lamrim (or Dagpo) traditions can be preserved and shared with all who are interested in them into the very distant future. This makes a significant contribution to greater peace and well-being in the world.
The monastic buildings must be adapted
The terrain on which the buildings stand is varied in composition and consists of rock, but mainly of pebbles, sand and clay. Due to poor drainage, soil is washed away and there is a high risk of instability. The foundations of all buildings are not designed for this, partly because earthquake-resistant construction has to be done here. The buildings are already showing signs of decay such as many cracks and fissures. In addition to the lack of heating and cooling, there is also insufficient ventilation, which means that mold is visible in many places. All in all, there are serious fundamental problems which must be remedied quickly.
The big project
The monastery needs a good accommodation. We want to take care of that.
We want to improve the buildings and the condition of the grounds in such a way that they are a safe and sustainable shelter in which the monks of the monastic university can focus all their attention on their study and practice. This must be done step by step through a thorough research to the possibilities.
