Difference between revisions of "Rumtek Monastery"
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[[File:Vikramjit-Kakati-Rumtek.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Vikramjit-Kakati-Rumtek.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | [[Rumtek]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|རུམ་ཐེག་དགོན་པ་}},, [[Wylie]]: Rum-theg Dgon-pa), also called the [[Dharmachakra]] | + | |
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| + | [[Rumtek]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[རུམ་ཐེག་དགོན་པ་]]}},, [[Wylie]]: [[Rum-theg Dgon-pa]]), also called the [[Dharmachakra Centre]], is a [[Tibetan Buddhist Monastery]] located in the {{Wiki|Indian state}} of [[Sikkim]] near the capital [[Gangtok]]. It is a focal point for the {{Wiki|sectarian}} tensions that characterize the [[Karmapa controversy]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Originally built by the [[9th Karmapa]] [[Wangchuk Dorje]] in 16th century, at the same [[Time]] as [[Phodong Monastery]] and [[Ralang Monastery]], [[Rumtek]] served as the main seat of the [[Karma | + | Originally built by the [[9th Karmapa]] [[Wangchuk Dorje]] in 16th century, at the same [[Time]] as [[Phodong Monastery]] and [[Ralang Monastery]], [[Rumtek]] served as the main seat of the [[Karma Kagyu Lineage]] in [[Sikkim]] for some [[Time]]. |
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| + | But when the [[16th Karmapa]] arrived in [[Sikkim]] in 1959, after fleeing [[Tibet]], the [[Monastery]] was in ruins. Despite being [[offered]] other sites, the [[Karmapa]] decided to rebuild [[Rumtek]]. | ||
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| + | To him, the site possessed many [[auspicious]] qualities and was surrounded by the most favorable [[attributes]]. For example, flowing streams, [[mountains]] behind, a snow range in front, and a [[River]] below. | ||
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| + | With the [[Generosity]] and help of the [[Sikkim]] {{Wiki|royal}} [[family]] and the {{Wiki|Indian government}}, it was built by the [[16th Karmapa]] as his main seat in exile. | ||
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| + | After four years, construction of the [[Monastery]] was completed. | ||
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| + | The [[sacred]] items and [[Relics]] brought out from [[Tsurphu Monastery]], the [[Karmapa's seat In Tibet]], were installed. On [[Tibetan New Year's Day]] ([[Losar]]) in 1966 the [[16th Karmapa]] officially inaugurated the new seat called, "The [[Dharmachakra Centre, a place of erudition and Spiritual Accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa]]." | ||
| − | + | The [[Monastery]] is currently the largest in [[Sikkim]]. It is home to the {{Wiki|community}} of [[Monks]] and where they perform the [[Rituals]] and practices of the [[Karma Kagyu Lineage]]. | |
| − | + | A [[Golden Stupa]] contains the [[Relics]] of the [[16th Karmapa]]. Opposite that building is a {{Wiki|college}}, [[Karma]] [[Shri]] [[Nalanda]] Institute for Higher [[Buddhist]] Studies. | |
[[Rumtek]] is located 24 km from [[Gangtok]], the capital of the [[Sikkim]], at an altitude of about 1500 m. | [[Rumtek]] is located 24 km from [[Gangtok]], the capital of the [[Sikkim]], at an altitude of about 1500 m. | ||
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==Controversy== | ==Controversy== | ||
| − | [[Rumtek]] was at the centre of the [[Karmapa controversy]] with a lengthy {{Wiki|battle}} being played out in the [[Indian]] courts. Two rival organisations, both supporting different candidates for the [[17th Karmapa]] claimed stewardship of the [[Monastery]] and its contents. The two organisations are the [[Karmapa | + | [[Rumtek]] was at the centre of the [[Karmapa controversy]] with a lengthy {{Wiki|battle}} being played out in the [[Indian]] courts. Two rival organisations, both supporting different candidates for the [[17th Karmapa]] claimed stewardship of the [[Monastery]] and its contents. The two organisations are the [[Karmapa Charitable Trust]] (supporting [[Trinley Thaye Dorje]]) and the [[Tsurphu Labrang]] (supporting [[Ogyen Trinley Dorje]]). |
Neither candidate resides at [[Rumtek]] since [[Monks]] supporting [[Trinley Thaye Dorje]] were thrown out of [[Rumtek]] by [[Ogyen Trinley Dorje]]'s followers. Since 1992, the [[Monastery]] has been the site of pitched battles between [[Monks]] supporting one candidate or the other. The [[Shamarpa]], who supports [[Trinley Thaye Dorje]], even claims that a sniper tried to assassinate him there. Armed [[Indian]] soldiers still patrol the [[Monastery]] to prevent further {{Wiki|sectarian}} [[violence]]. | Neither candidate resides at [[Rumtek]] since [[Monks]] supporting [[Trinley Thaye Dorje]] were thrown out of [[Rumtek]] by [[Ogyen Trinley Dorje]]'s followers. Since 1992, the [[Monastery]] has been the site of pitched battles between [[Monks]] supporting one candidate or the other. The [[Shamarpa]], who supports [[Trinley Thaye Dorje]], even claims that a sniper tried to assassinate him there. Armed [[Indian]] soldiers still patrol the [[Monastery]] to prevent further {{Wiki|sectarian}} [[violence]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 04:44, 2 February 2016
Rumtek (Tibetan: རུམ་ཐེག་དགོན་པ་,, Wylie: Rum-theg Dgon-pa), also called the Dharmachakra Centre, is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located in the Indian state of Sikkim near the capital Gangtok. It is a focal point for the sectarian tensions that characterize the Karmapa controversy.
History
Originally built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in 16th century, at the same Time as Phodong Monastery and Ralang Monastery, Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu Lineage in Sikkim for some Time.
But when the 16th Karmapa arrived in Sikkim in 1959, after fleeing Tibet, the Monastery was in ruins. Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek.
To him, the site possessed many auspicious qualities and was surrounded by the most favorable attributes. For example, flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front, and a River below.
With the Generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the Indian government, it was built by the 16th Karmapa as his main seat in exile.
After four years, construction of the Monastery was completed.
The sacred items and Relics brought out from Tsurphu Monastery, the Karmapa's seat In Tibet, were installed. On Tibetan New Year's Day (Losar) in 1966 the 16th Karmapa officially inaugurated the new seat called, "The Dharmachakra Centre, a place of erudition and Spiritual Accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa."
The Monastery is currently the largest in Sikkim. It is home to the community of Monks and where they perform the Rituals and practices of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
A Golden Stupa contains the Relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.
Rumtek is located 24 km from Gangtok, the capital of the Sikkim, at an altitude of about 1500 m.
Controversy
Rumtek was at the centre of the Karmapa controversy with a lengthy battle being played out in the Indian courts. Two rival organisations, both supporting different candidates for the 17th Karmapa claimed stewardship of the Monastery and its contents. The two organisations are the Karmapa Charitable Trust (supporting Trinley Thaye Dorje) and the Tsurphu Labrang (supporting Ogyen Trinley Dorje).
Neither candidate resides at Rumtek since Monks supporting Trinley Thaye Dorje were thrown out of Rumtek by Ogyen Trinley Dorje's followers. Since 1992, the Monastery has been the site of pitched battles between Monks supporting one candidate or the other. The Shamarpa, who supports Trinley Thaye Dorje, even claims that a sniper tried to assassinate him there. Armed Indian soldiers still patrol the Monastery to prevent further sectarian violence.
