Difference between revisions of "Tibet Institute Rikon"
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[[File:Tibet_Institute_Rikon_IMG_2775.JPG|thumb|250px|Shrine]] | [[File:Tibet_Institute_Rikon_IMG_2775.JPG|thumb|250px|Shrine]] | ||
[[File:Tibet_Institute_Rikon_IMG_2772.JPG|thumb|250px|The monastery's buildings and some prayer flags as seen from the shrine]] | [[File:Tibet_Institute_Rikon_IMG_2772.JPG|thumb|250px|The monastery's buildings and some prayer flags as seen from the shrine]] | ||
| − | The Tibet Institute Rikon is a Tibetan | + | The [[Tibet]] Institute Rikon is a [[Tibetan]] [[Monastery]] located in Zell-Rikon im Tösstal in the Töss Valley in {{Wiki|Switzerland}}. It is an established as a non-profit foundation because Swiss laws resulting from the 19th century secularization {{Wiki|movement}} do not allow for the establishment of new [[Monasteries]]. |
| − | == History == | + | == {{Wiki|History}} == |
| − | In 1961, Switzerland was one of the first countries in the Western hemisphere that allowed Tibetan refugees to settle in large numbers. Henri and Jacques Kuhn (owner of Metallwarenfabrik AG Heinrich Kuhn, now Kuhn Rikon AG) offered work and accommodations to a group of refugees. They helped found a monastic Tibet Institute for | + | In 1961, {{Wiki|Switzerland}} was one of the first countries in the Western hemisphere that allowed [[Tibetan]] refugees to settle in large numbers. Henri and Jacques Kuhn (owner of Metallwarenfabrik AG Heinrich Kuhn, now Kuhn Rikon AG) [[offered]] work and accommodations to a group of refugees. They helped found a [[monastic]] [[Tibet]] Institute for [[Spiritual]] and {{Wiki|cultural}} care of {{Wiki|Tibetan people}} in {{Wiki|Switzerland}}, which would also preserve and maintain the [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|culture}} for future generations. The [[monastic]] [[Tibet]] Institute in Rikon was established according to the advice and under the patronage of [[His Holiness]] the [[14th Dalai Lama]], who emphasized the importance of [[Monasteries]] for {{Wiki|Tibetan people}} in exile. H.H. the [[Dalai Lama]] sent an [[abbot]] and four [[Monks]] to Rikon from [[India]]. The Institute's buildings were designed by {{Wiki|architect}} Ueli Flück (Baden AG), and the foundation stone was laid on July 29, 1967. On November 9, 1968, the [[monastic]] [[Tibet]] Institute was [[consecrated]] by H.H. the [[Dalai Lama]]'s two principal [[teachers]], [[Trijang Rinpoche]] and [[Ling Rinpoche]]. On April 8, 2010, [[His Holiness]] the [[14th Dalai Lama]] visited the [[Monastery]] community in Rikon for the 14th [[Time]], and was warmly received by {{Wiki|Tibetan people}}, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of [[Tibetan]] refugees in {{Wiki|Switzerland}}. |
== Institute's building == | == Institute's building == | ||
| − | The Institute building was designed in a functional western style which incorporates traditional Tibetan elements. The overall design was not based on traditional Tibetan sacred architecture, because this would have reflected the altered role of a Tibetan | + | The Institute building was designed in a functional western style which incorporates [[traditional]] [[Tibetan]] [[elements]]. The overall design was not based on [[traditional]] [[Tibetan]] [[sacred]] architecture, because this would have reflected the altered role of a [[Tibetan]] [[Monastery]] in the {{Wiki|West}} in a misleading [[manner]]. |
| − | == Cultural and religious | + | == {{Wiki|Cultural}} and [[religious]] [[Life]] == |
| − | Today the Buddhist | + | Today the [[Buddhist]] [[Monastery]] and its [[monastic community]] is a [[vital]] part of the {{Wiki|cultural}} and [[religious]] [[Life]] of {{Wiki|Tibetan people}} in {{Wiki|Switzerland}}. The large variety of {{Wiki|cultural}} [[Activities]] of the [[Tibet]] Institute also provide an important forum for the constantly growing number of Western [[people]] [[Interested]] in [[Buddhism]] and [[Tibet]]. The institute promotes the [[understanding]] of [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|culture}} for both the general public and for specialists. It organizes public events, maintains its own library, issues its own publications, provides support to students and researchers, engages in public relations and outreach, and maintains contacts with related {{Wiki|institutions}}. Its project «[[Science]] meets [[Dharma]]» provides [[Tibetan]] [[Monks]] and [[Nuns]] access to western [[scientific]] {{Wiki|culture}}. |
| − | The Tibet Institute Rikon provides for the | + | The [[Tibet]] Institute Rikon provides for the [[Spiritual]] and {{Wiki|cultural}} needs of [[Tibetans]] in {{Wiki|Switzerland}}, striving to preserve [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|culture}} and [[Religion]] for the {{Wiki|benefit}} of future generations of [[Tibetans]]. It makes [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|culture}} accessible to [[Interested]] western and other non-Tibetan [[people]]. The [[monastic community]] supports [[scientific]] research in the field of [[Tibetology]] and is promoting dialogue between [[Buddhist Philosophy]] and western [[science]]. |
| − | == Monastic community == | + | == [[Monastic community]] == |
| − | In 2009, the monastic community comprised 9 Tibetan | + | In 2009, the [[monastic community]] comprised 9 [[Tibetan]] [[Monks]]. Ven. [[Geshe]] Phuntsok Tashi, the fourth [[abbot]], was appointed by H.H. the [[14th Dalai Lama]] in 1996. Since 2007, the [[Monastery]] has had representatives of all four great [[traditions]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]: [[Nyingma]], [[Kagyu]], [[Sakya]] and [[Gelug]]. |
| − | * Ven. Geshe Ugyen Tseten (1st abbot, 1967–1974) | + | * Ven. [[Geshe]] Ugyen Tseten (1st [[abbot]], 1967–1974) |
| − | * Ven. Geshe Tamdin Rabten (2nd abbot, 1975–1979) | + | * Ven. [[Geshe]] Tamdin Rabten (2nd [[abbot]], 1975–1979) |
| − | * Ven. Geshe Gedün Sangpo (3rd abbot, 1979–1995) | + | * Ven. [[Geshe]] Gedün Sangpo (3rd [[abbot]], 1979–1995) |
| − | * Ven. Geshe Phuntsok Tashi (4th abbot, since 1996) | + | * Ven. [[Geshe]] Phuntsok Tashi (4th [[abbot]], since 1996) |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
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[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Switzerland]] | [[Category:Buddhist temples in Switzerland]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:45, 17 September 2013
The Tibet Institute Rikon is a Tibetan Monastery located in Zell-Rikon im Tösstal in the Töss Valley in Switzerland. It is an established as a non-profit foundation because Swiss laws resulting from the 19th century secularization movement do not allow for the establishment of new Monasteries.
History
In 1961, Switzerland was one of the first countries in the Western hemisphere that allowed Tibetan refugees to settle in large numbers. Henri and Jacques Kuhn (owner of Metallwarenfabrik AG Heinrich Kuhn, now Kuhn Rikon AG) offered work and accommodations to a group of refugees. They helped found a monastic Tibet Institute for Spiritual and cultural care of Tibetan people in Switzerland, which would also preserve and maintain the Tibetan culture for future generations. The monastic Tibet Institute in Rikon was established according to the advice and under the patronage of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who emphasized the importance of Monasteries for Tibetan people in exile. H.H. the Dalai Lama sent an abbot and four Monks to Rikon from India. The Institute's buildings were designed by architect Ueli Flück (Baden AG), and the foundation stone was laid on July 29, 1967. On November 9, 1968, the monastic Tibet Institute was consecrated by H.H. the Dalai Lama's two principal teachers, Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche. On April 8, 2010, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited the Monastery community in Rikon for the 14th Time, and was warmly received by Tibetan people, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Tibetan refugees in Switzerland.
Institute's building
The Institute building was designed in a functional western style which incorporates traditional Tibetan elements. The overall design was not based on traditional Tibetan sacred architecture, because this would have reflected the altered role of a Tibetan Monastery in the West in a misleading manner.
Cultural and religious Life
Today the Buddhist Monastery and its monastic community is a vital part of the cultural and religious Life of Tibetan people in Switzerland. The large variety of cultural Activities of the Tibet Institute also provide an important forum for the constantly growing number of Western people Interested in Buddhism and Tibet. The institute promotes the understanding of Tibetan culture for both the general public and for specialists. It organizes public events, maintains its own library, issues its own publications, provides support to students and researchers, engages in public relations and outreach, and maintains contacts with related institutions. Its project «Science meets Dharma» provides Tibetan Monks and Nuns access to western scientific culture.
The Tibet Institute Rikon provides for the Spiritual and cultural needs of Tibetans in Switzerland, striving to preserve Tibetan culture and Religion for the benefit of future generations of Tibetans. It makes Tibetan culture accessible to Interested western and other non-Tibetan people. The monastic community supports scientific research in the field of Tibetology and is promoting dialogue between Buddhist Philosophy and western science.
Monastic community
In 2009, the monastic community comprised 9 Tibetan Monks. Ven. Geshe Phuntsok Tashi, the fourth abbot, was appointed by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama in 1996. Since 2007, the Monastery has had representatives of all four great traditions of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug.
- Ven. Geshe Ugyen Tseten (1st abbot, 1967–1974)
- Ven. Geshe Tamdin Rabten (2nd abbot, 1975–1979)
- Ven. Geshe Gedün Sangpo (3rd abbot, 1979–1995)
- Ven. Geshe Phuntsok Tashi (4th abbot, since 1996)
