Thrangu Tashi Choling Monastery, Boudha
Facing the Great Stupa of Boudhanath
History
Thrangu Tashi Choling, located close to and facing the Great Stupa of Boudhanath, was founded by Thrangu Rinpoche is 1979 when construction began. The ancient stupa is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists, one of the most important holy places in Nepal.
At the time of purchasing the land, there were only a few monasteries in Boudhanath and the area surrounding the Stupa was mostly rice fields. Rinpoche was just getting established in Nepal and had very little money. It was originally planned to be a library and then a shedra but then it became possible to build a small monastery. Later it became necessary to expand to accommodate the many monks who were arriving to join the monastery.
The Monastery Today
These days, there are about 80 monks including monk staffs, young monks who are studying at SMD School. The monastery monks receive training in ritual practices, and basic Buddhist philosophies. The young monks aged 7-18 go to SMD School during the daytime and receive a secular education. When they are back to the monastery, they perform prayers, and participate in ritual activities.
The monks perform special prayers on the auspicious dates of each month according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. They also perform requested prayers in the monastery as well as go out in people’s home to perform the puja as per request.
The monks in the monastery later join a year long preliminary practice “Ngondro” at Namo Buddha, some join Vajra Vidya Institute Shedra for higher Buddhist studies.
The Daily Schedule
No.
Time
Activities
1.
5:30 – 6:45 a.m.
Morning Puja – Green Tara/Neten Chagchoe
2.
3.
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
Classes
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Ritual Practice
6.
11:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
7.
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
8.
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
9.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Memorizing Texts
10.
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
11.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Evening Classes
Note: Morning prayers (puja) performed from 5:30 – 6:30 a.m. are according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. From 1st to 15th Neten Chagchoe is performed and from the 15th to the 30th Zsabtik Drolma (Green Tara) is performed.
Special Prayers
Special prayers are performed on special days of each month according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar:
8th day
Gyalwa Gyatsho (Red Chenrezig)
10th day
Konchock Chidü (Guru Rinpoche) and Lama Thugdup
13th day
Garsang (Smoke Offering)
15th day
Demchok (Chakrasamvara)
23rd day
(Green Tara) Drolma and Tashi Charbeb
25th day
Phagmo (Vajrayogini)
29th day
Mahakala
30th day
Gonpo Mithrugpa
Address:
Thrangu Tashi Choling Monastery
Chairman: Choje Lama Wangchuk Topden
Bouddha, Dharatole, P.O.box. 1287, Kathmandu, NEPAL
Phone: +977-1-4470763
Email: nbbmec@gmail.com
Nyerpa (Steward) Office: Contact for requesting prayers, and offerings
Phone: +977-1-4914717
Email: ngodrup.tsokpa@gmail.com