Tashi Lhunpo Monastic University — Attraction in Karnataka

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is seat to the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual leader of Tibet. In 1447 the Monastery was founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gendun Drup, in Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city. It is one of the four great monasteries of Central Tibet and was supervised and looked after by the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas of the Gelugpa, or Yellow Hat tradition. It has the glory of producing thousands of renowned scholars in the field of Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy and Tantra. During the lifetime of the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen, there were more than 3,000 monks in the Monastery and by 1959 there were 5,000, with another 2,000 monks affiliated to the monastery living outside Tibet. The Communist Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 and the Cultural Revolution from 1966-80 both wreaked destruction on Tibet's monastic institutions, which lost many precious scriptures, statues and images. Many monks were killed or imprisoned and only 250 were able to follow the Dalai Lama into exile.

In 1972, under the patronage of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery was re-established in the Southern Indian state of Karnataka. The monastery has monks coming from Tibet and the Himalayan regions of Spithi, Khunu, Ladakh and Arunachal. Occupying a central position in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, there are over 300 monks including many Tulkus (reincarnate lamas) studying and performing various religious practices.

Many monks escape Tibet because of difficulties (imprisonment or death) they face trying to practice Buddhism inside Tibet. The influx of new refugees is putting a strain on the re-established monasteries-in-exile, many of which are poor and having difficulties supporting the existing monks-in-exile. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is one of the poorest of the re-established monasteries. During the 1960s many senior lamas and monks left Tibet and helped re-establish new monasteries in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The late Panchen Lama did not leave Tibet and consequently many of the senior lamas from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery remained inside Tibet. Therefore, while other monasteries-in-exile have expanded and developed under the guidance of senior lamas, Tashi Lhunpo has remained at a disadvantage. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is a nonprofit charitable organization which imparts various aspects of the Buddhist religion while maintaining a school of modern education. In recent years it has matured into a reputable full-fledged monastery, performing a vital role in the preservation of Buddhism. One aspect of a monastery is the parental-like responsibility of looking after the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of all the monks, throughout their lives. The modern school is at the budding stage and faces enormous daily hurdles. Yet, there is faith in divine help as the school moves along. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery seeks to provide the best possible modern education, along with a deep and intimate understanding of the heritage of Tibet. We aim to become a contributing member in spreading the virtues of honesty, compassion and sacrifice, as taught by Lord Buddha. But, we are somehow lacking from a financial point of view. So, we appeal for your help...

This monastery lies only 4 km away from the famed Golden temple. But the approach road and no commercialization has made the tourists take it off their list.

The monastery compound felt like a wholesome gated community with school and science center. The monks (as usual) were really kind and when they felt my hesitation of leaving the vehicle on a deserted road (the actual monastery is 500 more from gate), they opened the gate and asked to take the vehicle inside. There's ample parking in front of the monastery.

In the main prayer hall, one can see the photo of Dalai Lama and the 11th Penchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was allegedly abducted by...

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe is not known to tourists as no one goes there.  All tourists concentrate on the Golden Temple and do not notice the presence of the new monastery which was inaugurated by H.E. the Dalai Lama quite recently. This monastery is more beautiful than all the other properties in Bylakuppe and it can be accessed by taking the second gate from the main road if you are coming fro Mysore side. When you come from Kushal Nagar side, the first right turn takes you to this monastery. This location also has period buildings hosting an office and some new buildings hosting different hostels...