SHECHEN MONASTERY IN NEPAL

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche devoted considerable efforts to founding and sustaining temples, colleges and monasteries where study and practice of the Buddhist tradition could be undertaken. One of his last great tasks was the founding of a new Shechen monastery in Nepal. He had no interest in setting up a grandiose seat for himself, and to him it truly made no difference whether he lived in a cramped hut or in a vast palace. It was; rather, with an eye to the future that he understood this major project.

In 1980 Khyentse Rinpoche’s wife and his main disciple, Trulshik Rinpoche, suggested to him that he build a small monastery in Nepal as the future seat of his grandson and spiritual heir, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. After pondering this idea for a while, Khyentse Rinpoche replied with a big smile that he would not prefer a small monastery, but one as large as possible. He chose to build this second Shechen monastery near the great Stupa of Jharung Khashor in Bouddanath, fulfilling a prediction that a Nyingma monastery built on this site would be a source of great benefit for the Buddhist teaching, and in particular would foster peace and prosperity throughout the region. The twelve years that it took to complete the monastery were a rich combination of artistic creativity, ample traditional knowledge and joyful effort. As soon as the main building started to go up, as many as fifty sculptures, painters, goldsmiths, silversmiths, tailors, mask makers and builders, all disciples of Khyentse Rinpoche flocked to the site from all over Bhutan, Tibet and India to take part in the work. Khyentse Rinpoche insisted that all aspects of the task be carried out with the greatest care and attention to twenty feet. They are hollowed-out structures of clay mixed with handmade paper for strength. Inside is placed the " life-tree," to which are attach relics of past saints. All the space around it is packed with tightly rolled strips of saffron-painted paper on which Mantra and prayers have been printed in tiny characters. The walls of the three main temples of Shechen Monastery are covered with beautiful frescoes that depict the history of Buddhism in Tibet and portray all the important teachers of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Altogether, Khyentse Rinpoche performed a hundred ceremonies to consecrate the images and paintings. Such a ceremony involves calling the wisdom, compassion and power of the deity to dissolve inseparably into its material representation, just as a mind gives life to an inert body. The monastery hosts one of the largest Tibetan libraries in the East. Monks at Shechen Monastery receive lively education, which beside Buddhist philosophy also include music, chant, dances, and painting. Various ceremonies are conducted at Shechen Monastery all over the year. Some of them last uninterruptedly for nine consecutive days and nights. Khyentse Rinpoche attached a special importance to preserving the authenticity of these rituals, which must combine a deep experience in meditation with great attention to detail.

In connection with these rituals yearly dance festival is held in the monastery’s courtyard around the month of March. Its purpose is for the monks to share with the Buddhist community the understanding they have gained during years of study and meditation. Sacred dances are protection in a very symbolic and beautiful manner of inner visualizations performed during the ceremonies usually held inside the temple. In the mind of those who come to attend to the festival, these sacred dances can bring what is called a "liberation by sight" meaning that the mere sight of them can free the mind for its inner negativity and disturbing emotions.

The present abbot of Shechen is the 7th Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Jigme Chokyi Senge, the grandson and spiritual heir of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Since a very young age, the grand son and spiritual heir of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche has been raised by his grand-father who imparted upon him the great wealth of his spiritual lineage. Rabjam Rinpoche has been shouldering with great success the responsibilities of transmitting Khyentse Rinpoche’s teachings, continuing his works, and looking after Shechen Monasteries in Nepal, Tibet, India and Bhutan, and their branches all over the world.

Rabjam Rinpoche also plans to establish a retreat center in Nepal, where disciples from both Asia and the west can practice the essential Buddhist teachings in a conducive environment for short or long periods. With the help of generous donors, a beautiful piece of land, facing the Himalayan Range, has been purchased near Namo Buddha; two hours drive from Kathmandu. Soon small hermitages will be built so those practitioners may find suitable conditions for staying in retreat.

Shechen Monastery

GPO. Box: 911 Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: 977-1-470721 Fax: 470215