Location : Sikkim, India.
History
The
Rumtek Monastery, or the Dharma Chakra Center is one of the most important
seat of the Kagyu Lineage outside the territory of Tibet. Built originally
by the 9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje in 1740, Rumtek serves as the principal
seat of the Kagyu's in Sikkim. The Monastery came to be known far and wide
under its second founder, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. He
expanded the monastery to about two kilometers more (where the new Rumtek is
situated) and spread the teaching of the great Buddha. The Rumtek monastery
became the International Headquarters of the Kagyus and manifested its
principles throughout the world. Presently, the monastery is headed by the
17th Gwalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
Architecture &Significance
Elevated on a hilltop facing the city of Gangtok, the monastery complex at
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is home to the monks community. It is here that
they perform the rituals and the sacred practices and meditations of the
Kagyu lineage. Among the many sacred objects housed in the monastery is the
magnificent Golden stupa, which contains the invaluable relics of His
holiness, the 16th Karmapa. Just in front of the Rumtek is the Nalanda
University for Higher Buddhist Studies.
The Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is surrounded by the stupa walkway, where
monks, pilgrims and visitors all together perform the sacred kora. It was
also the main exile seat of the Karmapa. It even includes a main shrine
temple and monastery with quarters available for the monks, Placed inside is
a three year old retreat center, a shedra or monastery college where relics
of the 16th Karmapa are available, a nunnery and a shrine of the protector.
The Rumtek monastery holds two important events annually, the Guru Rinpoche
in the fourth lunar month of the Tsurphu Tibetan calender and the
Vajrakilaya Drupchen followed by sacred lama dance. The eight manifestations
of the dance forms of Guru Padmasambhava and Yidan deities are performed.
Other Attractions
» Yunthang Valley - Yumthang or more commonly the
valley of flowers resides in the high end of the Himalayas. Situated at 1180
ft within touching distance from Tibet, it is highly decorated with
rhododendrons and primula flowers. From the valley, stunning view of the
peaks like Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa can be experienced. Few hot springs
high in sulphur and believed to have healing powers are also to be found
there.
» Changu Lake - The oval shaped lake at a distance
of 35km from Sikkim is located at an altitude of 12310ft on the Gangtok
Nathu La Highway. It is 15 meters deep and is considered to be sacred. The
lucid waters free flowingly mixes with the landscape beauty around.
Consisting of Alpine forest, the lake is home to the primulas and the blue
and yellow poppies apart from the rhododendrons.
» Institute of Tibetology - The institute is
dedicated to Tibetan Studies, Buddhist philosophy and its principles. The
institute attracts scholars from all over the world who are interested to
learn about the Buddhist religion. It houses a collection of 30,000 books,
tantric documents and manuscripts written in barks of trees and other icons
of the Buddhist.
North
India States
