Difference between revisions of "Shechen Monastery"
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[[File:Shechen_Monastery.png|thumb|250px|Shechen Monastery, Nepal]] | [[File:Shechen_Monastery.png|thumb|250px|Shechen Monastery, Nepal]] | ||
| − | The | + | The [[Shechen Monastery]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཞེ་ཆེན་]]}}, [[Wylie]]: [[Zhe-chen]]) is one of the six primary, or "mother," [[Monasteries]] of [[The Nyingma Tradition]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], [[In Tibet]]. It is located in [[Derge]] between Nangdo and [[Dzogchen Monastery]]. It was founded in 1695 [[Shechen Rabjam Tenpé Gyaltsen]], though it is sometimes claimed to have been built by [[Gyurme Kunzang Namgyal]] in 1734. It became extremely influential in the 18th and 19th centuries, with up to 160 satellite [[Monasteries]] dotting the [[Himalayas]]. The [[Monastery]] was completely destroyed in the {{Wiki|Cultural Revolution}}, but it was rebuilt in 1985 by [[Dilgo Khyentse]]. |
| − | There are also now | + | There are also now [[Shechen Monasteries]] in [[Nepal]] and [[India]]. |
| − | The [[Monastery]] in [[Nepal]] was founded in 1980 near the great [[Stupa]] of [[Boudhanath]], just northeast of Kathmandu, and is known as Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling | + | The [[Monastery]] in [[Nepal]] was founded in 1980 near the great [[Stupa]] of [[Boudhanath]], just [[northeast]] of {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, and is known as [[Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery]]. The {{Wiki|present}} [[abbot]] is the seventh [[Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche]], the grandson of [[Dilgo Khyentse]]. Prominent members of the [[Monastery]] include the [[Yangsi]] (Tib.{{BigTibetan|[[ཡང་སྲིད]]}} [[Reincarnation]]) of [[Dilgo Khyentse]], [[Matthieu Ricard]] and [[Changling [[Rinpoche]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
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| + | ===Brief History=== | ||
| + | '''[[Shechen Monastery]]''', one the [[six main Nyingma monasteries of Tibet]], was destroyed in the late 1950’s during the {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|occupation}} of [[Tibet]]. In exile, [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] (1910 - 1991) 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]]. | ||
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| + | In 1980, [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] began building [[Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling Monastery]] in the {{Wiki|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]] outside [[Tibet]]. | ||
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| + | Under [[Khyentse Rinpoche’s]] supervision, all aspects of the work were carried out with the greatest care and [[attention]] to detail. 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. Over one hundred and fifty [[statues]] were made for the [[Monastery]], which also hosts one of the largest [[Tibetan]] libraries in the [[East]]. The {{Wiki|present}} [[abbot]] of [[Shechen Monastery]] is the [[seventh Shechen Rabjam]] [[Rinpoche]], (born in 1966), the grandson and [[spiritual]] heir of [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]]. | ||
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| + | 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 {{Wiki|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 {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|curriculum}}. They live in their own compound in the [[Monastery]] and are lovingly cared for by their headmaster. Some of the [[monks]] who trained at the [[monastery]] at an early age are now their [[teachers]], passing on the fruit of their [[education]] to the younger students. Once they graduate from the school, they begin a two-year course focused on [[ritual]] [[arts]] that includes memorization of liturgical texts, {{Wiki|learning}} [[ritual]] musical instruments and training in [[sacred]] [[chants]] and dances. | ||
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| + | If they qualify, a student can then enter the [[Shechen Institute]] ([[Shedra]] or [[Philosophical College]]) (see below). Those who do not enter the {{Wiki|College}} continue to study texts and [[meditation practices]] as well as perform in the [[Monastery’s]] daily {{Wiki|ceremonies}}. Many learned [[teachers]] come to the [[Monastery]] and give [[empowerments]] and teachings. Throughout the year, [[Shechen]] [[monks]] organize events for the public and serve the [[spiritual]] needs of the local {{Wiki|community}}. Every summer all the [[monks]] participate in the [[traditional]] [[summer retreat]] practiced since the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]]. | ||
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| + | The [[Monastery]] provides for the [[monks]]’ complete [[education]] in addition to covering all expenses for their [[food]], [[shelter]], clothing and {{Wiki|medical}} care. You can help the [[monastery]] in this work by sponsoring a [[monk]] - a rare opportunity to enable young [[people]] to receive an [[education]] and become a [[vital]] link for {{Wiki|future}} generations. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Various {{Wiki|ceremonies}} are conducted in the [[Monastery]] throughout the year including [[drupchens]] ({{Wiki|ceremonies}} lasting nine consecutive days and nights). [[Rabjam Rinpoche]] places special importance to preserving the authenticity of these [[rituals]] that integrate [[experience]] in [[meditation]] with precise [[attention]] to detail. In connection with these [[rituals]], a yearly dance {{Wiki|festival}} is held in the [[Monastery’s]] courtyard. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Shechen Monastery]] in [[Tibet]] was renowned for its particular style of [[sacred dance]] ([[cham]]). [[Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche]] is revitalizing that [[tradition]] and has brought [[teachers]] from [[Tibet]] to train the [[monks]]. The [[Shechen]] Dancers have performed in a number of very successful {{Wiki|European}} and [[South]] American tours. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also located on the grounds of the [[Monastery]] is the [[Shechen Archives]] and the [[Tsering Art School]] working to preserve [[Himalayan]] {{Wiki|culture}} and [[sacred]] [[arts]], the [[Shechen]] {{Wiki|Medical}} Clinic and the [[Shechen]] Guest House for visiting tourists and [[pilgrims]]. | ||
| + | One the [[six principal Nyingma monasteries]] in [[Tibet]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===[[Lineage Masters]]=== | ||
| + | *[[Shechen Gyaltsap Rinpoche]] | ||
| + | *[[Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche]] | ||
| + | *[[Shechen Kongtrul Rinpoche]] | ||
| + | *[[Shechen Ontrul Rinpoche]] | ||
| + | *[[Shechen Khyentse Rinpoche]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Current [[Lineage]] Holders=== | ||
| + | *[[Trulshik Ngawang Chokyi Lodro]] [[Rinpoche]] | ||
| + | *[[Shechen Rabjam Gyurme Chokyi Senge]] | ||
| + | *[[Shechen]] Khyentse [[Urgyen Jigme Tenzin Lhundrup]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Practices and Teachings=== | ||
| + | *[[Jangter]] | ||
| + | *[[Dudjom Tersar]] | ||
| + | *[[Longchen Nyingtig]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{RangjungWiki}} | ||
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries]] | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Buddhist | + | [[Category:Buddhist Monasteries In Tibet]] |
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| − | |||
[[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Nyingma monasteries]] | ||
Revision as of 16:38, 31 January 2014
The Shechen Monastery (Tibetan: ཞེ་ཆེན་, Wylie: Zhe-chen) is one of the six primary, or "mother," Monasteries of The Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, In Tibet. It is located in Derge between Nangdo and Dzogchen Monastery. It was founded in 1695 Shechen Rabjam Tenpé Gyaltsen, though it is sometimes claimed to have been built by Gyurme Kunzang Namgyal in 1734. It became extremely influential in the 18th and 19th centuries, with up to 160 satellite Monasteries dotting the Himalayas. The Monastery was completely destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, but it was rebuilt in 1985 by Dilgo Khyentse.
There are also now Shechen Monasteries in Nepal and India.
The Monastery in Nepal was founded in 1980 near the great Stupa of Boudhanath, just northeast of Kathmandu, and is known as Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery. The present abbot is the seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, the grandson of Dilgo Khyentse. Prominent members of the Monastery include the Yangsi (Tib.ཡང་སྲིད Reincarnation) of Dilgo Khyentse, Matthieu Ricard and [[Changling Rinpoche.
Source
Brief History
Shechen Monastery, one the six main Nyingma monasteries of Tibet, was destroyed in the late 1950’s during the Chinese occupation of Tibet. In exile, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910 - 1991) 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 Dargye Ling 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 outside Tibet.
Under Khyentse Rinpoche’s supervision, all aspects of the work were carried out with the greatest care and attention to detail. 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. Over one hundred and fifty statues were made for the Monastery, which also hosts one of the largest Tibetan libraries in the East. The present abbot of Shechen Monastery is the seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, (born in 1966), 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. They live in their own compound in the Monastery and are lovingly cared for by their headmaster. Some of the monks who trained at the monastery at an early age are now their teachers, passing on the fruit of their education to the younger students. 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.
If they qualify, a student can then enter the Shechen Institute (Shedra or Philosophical College) (see below). Those who do not enter the College continue to study texts and meditation practices as well as perform in the Monastery’s daily ceremonies. Many learned teachers come to the Monastery and give empowerments and teachings. Throughout the year, Shechen monks organize events for the public and serve the spiritual needs of the local community. Every summer all 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. You can help the monastery in this work by sponsoring a monk - a rare opportunity to enable young people to receive an education and become a vital link for future generations.
Various ceremonies are conducted in the Monastery throughout the year including drupchens (ceremonies lasting nine consecutive days and nights). Rabjam Rinpoche places special importance to preserving the authenticity of these rituals that integrate experience in meditation with precise attention to detail. In connection with these rituals, a yearly dance festival is held in the Monastery’s courtyard.
Shechen Monastery in Tibet was renowned for its particular style of sacred dance (cham). Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche is revitalizing that tradition and has brought teachers from Tibet to train the monks. The Shechen Dancers have performed in a number of very successful European and South American tours.
Also located on the grounds of the Monastery is the Shechen Archives and the Tsering Art School working to preserve Himalayan culture and sacred arts, the Shechen Medical Clinic and the Shechen Guest House for visiting tourists and pilgrims. One the six principal Nyingma monasteries in Tibet.
Lineage Masters
- Shechen Gyaltsap Rinpoche
- Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche
- Shechen Kongtrul Rinpoche
- Shechen Ontrul Rinpoche
- Shechen Khyentse Rinpoche
Current Lineage Holders
- Trulshik Ngawang Chokyi Lodro Rinpoche
- Shechen Rabjam Gyurme Chokyi Senge
- Shechen Khyentse Urgyen Jigme Tenzin Lhundrup
