Shechen Monastery, one the six main Nyingma monasteries of Tibet, was destroyed in the late 1950’s. In exile, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche transplanted the rich tradition of the original Shechen Monastery to a new home -- a magnificent monastery near the great Stupa of Bodhnath, Nepal. It was his wish that this monastery would maintain the philosophical, contemplative, and artistic traditions of the mother monastery.

In 1980, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche began building Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery in the Kathmandu Valley. For almost ten years, master craftsmen, stonemasons, sculptors, painters, goldsmiths, and master tailors worked to make the monastery one of the most beautiful examples of Tibetan art.

The walls of the main temple are covered with frescoes depicting the history of Tibetan Buddhism and the important teachers from its four main schools. The monastery has over one hundred and fifty statues and one of the largest Tibetan libraries in the East.

The present abbot of Shechen Monastery is the seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, the grandson and spiritual heir of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Over 300 monks from across the Himalayan region study and live at the monastery. They receive a lively education that, besides Buddhist philosophy, also includes music, dance and painting. In the elementary school, 70 children from age five to fourteen are offered a complete education combining traditional subjects with a modern curriculum.

Once they graduate from the school, they begin a two-year course focused on ritual arts that includes memorization of liturgical texts, learning ritual musical instruments, and training in sacred chants and dances.

In 1989, Rabjam Rinpoche established The Shechen Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (a shedra) at the monastery. Over 100 students from across the Himalayas are enrolled in its nine-year curriculum.

Ceremonies are conducted throughout the year including drupchens (ceremonies lasting nine consecutive days and nights). In connection with these a yearly sacred dance festival is held in the monastery’s courtyard.

Shechen Monastery in Tibet was famous for its particular style of cham (sacred dance). Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche revitalized that tradition. The Shechen Dancers have performed in a number of very successful European and South American tours.

Throughout the year, Shechen monks organize events for the public and serve the spiritual needs of the local community. Every summer the monks participate in the traditional summer retreat practiced since the time of the Buddha.

The monastery provides for the monks’ complete education in addition to covering all expenses for their food, shelter, clothing, and medical care.

Adjacent to the monastery are the Shechen Medical Clinic and the Shechen Guest House for visiting tourists and pilgrims.

You can help to support the monastery by joining one of Shechen’s Sponsorship Programs. This is a heartwarming and unique opportunity to enable a young person to receive an education and become a vital link for future generations.

Tibetan Painting and Monastic Life, a video presented by the Rubin Museum of Art.