About our Monastery

History

Zongkar Choede Monastery is historically one of the oldest monasteries in Tibet. It was established in western Tibet, Mang-yul upper Gung-thang region, in 1270 by the Tibetan king Tri-bum-de-gon, who was the last great scion of Tibet's royal descendants. The king built the monastery facing opposite to his palace Phodrang Khunzong Karpo (“The White Nest of Eagles”). The monastery, through the time, became a thriving spiritual community in western Tibet and also became a focal point of Tibetan civilization. Over the time it emerged as one of the largest repositories of Tibetan folk and monastic art, music, dance, artifacts and spiritual training. There existed upper and lower Zongkar Choede within the same wall, each having over 300 monks. The inmates followed Buddhist studies, meditative practices and tantric ritual arts. Hundreds of highly realised monks dedicated their lives for the continuation of the monastery to date. In the tumultuous decade that followed between 1950-1959, the peaceful land, its people and all their way of life fell under the communist Chinese. The destruction reached its climax during the Cultural Revolution, which made Tibet native values and institutions the target of its fury.

Zongkar Choede monastery was razed to the ground and monks had to escape. Of the original 600 monks of the monastic community of Zongkar Choede before the destruction, less than 5% survived to tell the tale. A decade and a half elapsed in this historical twilight to alive in exile. Reconstruction began in the lush green forests and farmlands of coastal South India near the Arabian Sea in 1972 under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Government of India. Mud and bamboo thatches became living quarters, community kitchens and prayer halls for the new Zongkar Choede in exile.

Today Zongkar Choede is a monastic community of 305 monks. It is an active cultural center open to everyone. At the core of its monastic study programs are Zongkar Choede's unique heritage: Tibetan monastic chanting, ancient Tibetan monastic ritual mask-dance, art of butter sculpture, sand mandala, for which the monastery is renowned throughout Tibet and the world. The monks also study Buddhist logic and debate following Sera Jeh monastic university text. The monastery also runs a small school for the young monks providing modern education. There is also a small traditional Tibetan thangka painting class and traditional incense-making center to preserve and promote Traditional Tibetan art and also to offer job opportunity to young unemployed Tibetans. The monastery is fully dependent on devotees' offering and sponsorship program for its young monks. It has not received any financial support/assistance from the State and government.

Ex-Abbot Ven. Thupten Tsondue

Ex-Khenrinpoche has become a monk at the age of 15 year. Since then studied sutras and Tantras-completed his studies and practices and thereafter he took the responsibilities to run the monastery. He and few elder monks could escape after the invasion by china in 1959. Hence, In the year 1972 with the kind guidance of H. H. the Dalai Lama, he and other monks re-established the Dzongkar Choede Monastery at Hunsur, Gurupura in south India. There were initially hardly 20 monks but due to their courage and hardship the monastery could stand as of today. At that time he has shouldered the major responsibility of the monastery. They have lived in Bamboo Houses. After few years with lots of hardships new Temple has been constructed and at that time monks gradually increased. Hence, due to increase of monks the small temple was so congested and monks could not fit into. Therefore, he and elder monks made decision and have left to abroad to raise the funds to construct a new temple. The new temple's construction was completed and opening ceremony was done by His Holiness The Dalai Lama in 2004 end. Then in the year 2005 he has handed over the charges to New Abbot. Ven. Jampa Kalsang la.

Present -Abbot Ven Jampa Kalsang

Khenrinpoche was enrolled at the age of 7 in this Dzongkar Choede Monastery in Tibet and since then studied and practiced the Sutras and Tantras completely for 22 years. At the completion of 22 years, has taken charges of chanting master and discharge duties for 13 years. After this for three years taken the charges of Disciplinarian master of the monastery. Then the charges of Acarya (Lopon) for four years. During those periods, have discharged my full responsibilities to the benefit of the Monastery. Qualification is equivalent to Geshe degree. While in charge have studied and practiced and attained all the four types' lineage of meditation deities and attained the complete retreat practices. Specifically, have attained the retreat of Yamentaka for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days strictly abiding to the rules of the Buddhism. After the completion of this retreat in the year 2005, he has been appointed to the post of abbot of the Dzongkar Choede Monastery by his H.H The Dalai Lama.
And on 3rd Dec, 2005 called by the H.H. The Dalai Lama's palace at Dharamsala and taken the oath in front.

Venerable Master Jampa Soepa

Lopon Jampa Sopa was born in 1962. At age 15, he was admitted to
Dzongkar Choede Monastery.In 1982 he received Sramanera ordination from
His Holiness Ling Rinpoche,the senior tutor of H. H the 14th Dalai Lama.
He received the Bikhshu's ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in
1985. He studied Buddhist philosophy from the proficient geshes of Sera
Jeh in India. He also took teachings and transmissions from a number of
eminent lamas and geshes. Besides His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the list
includes His Holiness Sakya Trichen Rinpoche, Kyabje Chogye Trichen
Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, Jangje Choeje Lobsang Tenzin
Rinpoche, etc. In 2000? as advised by H. H. the Dalai Lama, Porong Palmo
Cheoding Monastery and the Porong Community, Kathmandu, requested
Dzongkar Choede Monatery to admit and impart basic education to the 6
year old Bodong Chhoktrul Tenzin Thutop Jigdral. To take good care of
the young Tulku, Dzongkar Choede appointed Lopon Jampa Sopa as his Tutor
and ever since, he continues to be associated with the education of this
important Lama. Lopon Jampa Sopa served as "Umze" (chanting master) for
seven years at Dzongkar Choede Monastery. In 2003 he was appointed the
"Lopon" (ritual master) of the monastery and also taught the monks at
the monastery.

He is a master in Buddhist Mandala Arts and Tibetan Buddhist Rituals and
is well versed in the sutras and tantras. He has been invited several
times to Europe, America, Canada and Japan. He speaks fairly good
English, but prefers to have an interpreter. In 2004 he accepted the
position of abbot at Kyidong Thuk-Che-Choling Nunnery in Nepal.
Throughout the period, the venerable abbot have been kindly teaching
Buddhist tantric art of creating various sand Mandalas, authentic
tradition of practices of rituals and meditation aspects. Lamrim
teaching and many other instructions on Buddhist practice.