16th December 2005 dddadaad

Zongkar Choede MONASTERY

These major seats have for centuries been important institutions in Tibet for the studies and practices through which it has been continued until the present day. Together with many hundreds of branch monasteries, they have kept alive the unbroken lineage of Guru Rinpoche, who brought the teachings of Buddha from India to Tibet in the eighth century.

The monastery
Monastery today. A look at the unique study, practice and mandala. Bodhyanga Dharma Centre is directly connected with Zongkar Monastery and benefit from Lopen Jampa Sopa's teachings.

History
The Monastery in Tibet was founded in the year 1270 by King Tribum de gon. Following its destruction in the late 1950s, the monastery was re-established in South India.

STUDY AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

The original Monastery in Tibet placed equal emphasis on study and practice. This tradition continues at the Monastery in India .

Shedra
At the shedra, or study college, students undergo a thorough path of graduated study in meditational sciences and Buddhist philosophy, complemented by history, grammar, poetry and contemporary studies of English, maths and science.

Ritual and prayer: dratsang
Monks not enrolled for philosophical studies in the shedra, form a group known as the dratsang. Although they attend Tibetan grammar and English classes, their focus is on training in ritual and prayer.

Retreat centre: drupdra
The drupdra, or retreat centre, provides monks the opportunity to accomplish intensive practice over extended periods of time. During the retreat, they may also receive instructions and ritual initiations from visiting lamas.