Siddhartha's Intent - Traditional Monastic Centres in Tibet, Bhutan & India

Dzongsar Monastery (Derge, Eastern Tibet).

Dzongsar Institute (Chauntra, Himachal Pradesh, India). Dzongsar Institute continues the academic heritage of the original institute in Tibet, under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Head Abbot Khenpo Kunga Wangchuk. The Institute has a faculty of six Khenpos and about 300 monks from various locales and monasteries, representing all sects. Most of the students are refugees from Tibet. The Institute has produced 15 Khenpos and now graduates 1-6 Khenpos each year. The Khenpo degree encompasses a complete theoretical education in Buddhism and generally requires a nine year program of studies. Some of the Institute's graduates have returned to Tibet where they are now teaching. Western dharma students are now beginning to engage in studies at the Institute. The Institute includes facilities for closed meditation retreats which are also available to Western practitioners.

Chokyi Gyatso Institute for the Study of Buddhist Philosophy (Dewathang, East Bhutan). Like Dzongsar Institute in Chauntra, this offers the traditional Dzongsar Monastery curriculum, and also has a nine-year study program.

Geylshing Retreat Centre (Sikkim, India). This is a place dedicated to students engaging in meditation practice.

Bartsham Dharma Centre (Bartsham Drubdra, East Bhutan). This is a centre for about 100 advanced lay meditation practitioners (gomchen) which includes facilities for traditional three year retreat. A Nunnery is also supported at Bartsham.

Kurtoe Dharma Center, (Northern Bhutan). This is also a centre for advanced lay meditation practioners (gomchen).

See "Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's Activities in Bhutan" in the September 1999 issue of the Gentle Voice Newsletter for more about activities at Dewathang, Geylshing, Bartsham and Kurtoe.