In 1972, the late Lama Sonam Zangpo built a small temple in Dewathang, in eastern Bhutan, so that in future Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche could establish a shedra. As per Lama Sonam Zangpo's wish, in 1990 Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche initiated Chökyi Gyatso Institute, with the help of several local sponsors.

It is Rinpoche's wish that this institute function as both college and practice centre, or shedrup. While a college or shedra is a scholarly institute for the study of philosophy, a shedrup is an institute which combines both philosophical study and practice. The Chökyi Gyatso Institute emphasizes the traditions of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, including the Longchen Nyingtik, and is one of only a few monasteries upholding these lineages.

However, after some 30 years the original structures are now in dire need of repair, maintenance, or - in certain cases, replacement. In particular, the institute's water supply system had deteriorated badly. With more monks and practitioners expected, the institute's living quarters need to be expanded.

Similarly, the small main temple is now dilapidated and no longer adequate for the expanding shedrup. Therefore, under Rinpoche's guidance, plans were drawn up for essential maintenance work, the expansion of monastic quarters and study facilities, and the construction of a larger, safer, more functional and aesthetically pleasing temple.

The year 2003 started with construction of a new water tank and the installation of a new pipeline which runs about 4 km into the woods, and is fed directly from fresh, unlimited, mountain stream water. Thanks to this improvement, we will have no more water shortage problems at the institute.

In April 2003, Chökyi Gyatso Institute began excavation and construction of two new two-storey hostels to accommodate 96 monks. The construction is nearing completion. By July 2004 the new hostels will be fully functional, and we will begin construction of the main temple, plus one more hostel followed by a dining hall, a guesthouse, and a library. The main temple will be a three-storey structure with a ground level assembly hall for 300. The middle floor will have several classrooms and function halls, and the top floor will have another large assembly hall.

The main statues will be of Lord Buddha, Manjushri, Tara, and Guru Rinpoche, each in specific halls. Once built, the temple will serve as a landmark symbol of the Dharma for many years, and a place where people can come and pay homage to the Three Jewels.

The institute will welcome all practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of Buddhist philosophy or conduct a retreat in meditative surroundings in the beautiful wilderness of eastern Bhutan. So far Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche has been the sole benefactor of these works. However, the institute is now attempting to raise funds to support the construction of these new buildings, including the main temple. Thus, Chökyi Gyatso Institute is launching an appeal and seeks your assistance.

Your contribution, large or small, will go directly to the development of this project, and we will be very grateful for your gesture of goodwill. It will also accrue great merit. We can see throughout history that even a small effort, combined with others in a common purpose, has the potential to accomplish great tasks. Such an act is regarded as "sharing the merit." This temple project, while a good cause in itself, will be even better if we work together towards its accomplishment.

Therefore, we invite you become directly involved in this auspicious event and register as a participant. We assure you that your financial contribution will be used strictly for construction purposes only. Should you wish, you can make a specific donation, directed toward: - Temple structure - Temple shrine and statues - Temple wall frescos - Hostel - Library and books - Dining Hall, etc. If you have any questions or concerns our staff will be happy to address them, or provide further information: simply contact us at uge@druknet.bt. Should you wish to see copies of structural drawings, financial reports, and detailed proposals including estimate budget for specific work, these can also be made available to you. If you wish, you can send your donation by check directly payable to: Chökyi Gyatso Institute Dewathang Bhutan. You can also contact any one of the Siddhartha's Intent offices in your area and ask them about Chökyi Gyatso Institute's project. Thank you for your generosity and support. Such good will and noble actions preserve and maintain the Buddha Dharma in today's world.

We are now very pleased that with the generous support from our sponsors and well-wishers, our Institute has been functioning and progressing very well. We are very grateful for your kind support, and we highly appreciate for you effort. Such intention gives us great encouragement to move on.

By end of 2004, we successfully completed building two new hostels for the monks. We started this project in the year 2003 with the hope of building three hostels, but due to shortage of funds we had to reduce it to two. Our monks moved into the new hostels by December 2004

Beginning of 2005, we started with our next project, the construction of the main temple for Doethang Monastery. We were very fortunate that Rinpoche came to do the groundbreaking ceremony at the temple site. Many sponsors, locals, and official come to attend the ceremony, which concluded with song and dance to mark the special event.


As the work on the temple began, many volunteers--young and old--came to help, along with their friends and families. Taking part in building a Temple was their way of sharing in the merit of working for a good cause. Most of the volunteers brought their own lunches, and we provided simple refreshments like tea and juice.

If we do not face any financial shortage or rainy days (the latter sadly seems to be our major obstacle presently), by September 2005, we will complete the ground floor of the Temple, and hopefully continue with the 1st floor.

We are very grateful to all our sponsors for supporting and encouraging us: it solely through your kind support that we were able to launch such a project. We pray that the merit of such activity may benefit all beings, and especially those who make it happen. We also pray that by their pure intention, the Dharma may forever continue and increase.