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Tashi
Jong
Visitors
Guide
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OVERVIEW
In 1958, having foreseen the imminent coming of the communist Chinese, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Kalzang Dongyu Nyima, left for India with a
group of 16 monks and reincarnate lamas. In Eastern Tibet he had been the head of Khampagar Monastery, which had over 200 branch monasteries,
nunneries and retreat centers. It was considered one of the foremost monasteries of the Drukpa Kagyü lineage. In India, they settled first in Kalimpong
in West Bengal, where many lay people from the Khampagar area in Kham came seeking refuge, and affiliated themselves with the newly formed
community. In 1969, they moved to Himachal Pradesh in North India. There they settled in the peaceful Kangra valley on 37 acres of land, which was
named Tashi Jong, Tibetan for Auspicious Valley. The late Tokden Amtin mentioned that at the time of the initial consecration of the land of Tashi
Jong, both H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and H.E. the 8 th Khamtrul Rinpoche clearly felt this place to be the pure land of the Five Manjushris.
Nowadays Tashi Jong includes:
 A monastery of around 150 monks.
 A lay community of about 2500 people, both Indian and Tibetan.
 A group of highly realized yogis called Tokdens. In Tibet the Tokdens lived in retreat centers or in caves. In Tashi Jong there is a retreat center
with all the facilities needed for extended periods of seclusion. Although they are fully ordained monks, the Tokdens display the matted hair and
white robes of Milarepa’s traditional attire. At present, there are around thirteen retreatants, who have been practicing for many years, and who
have not set a definite conclusion date as yet.
 Other monks at Khampagar are studying Buddhist philosophy, and training in ritual activities and practicing different tantric rituals. Annually they
perform ritual dances called Cham, generally known as ‘lama dances’. Cham is a tantric meditative practice adopting the form of very special
dances, where the practitioners perform in full costume according to each particular ritual. Cham dances originated from visions of Guru Padmasambhava and his eight emanations by Kunga Tendzin, the 3rd Khamtrul Rinpoche. They may be viewed by the general public.
 Dongyu Gatsal Ling, a nunnery for young women from Tibet and other Himalayan regions, has been established near Tashi Jong by a western
nun, Jetsunma Tendzin Palmo, a disciple of the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, to fulfill her Guru's wish. Dongyu Gastsal Ling offers a strong program of
Dharma education comprising all aspects of Dharma study, meditation and ritual practices. When completed, it will support 80 nuns.
The 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, besides being a highly qualified Buddhist teacher, was an excellent artist. He encouraged the community to become a
settlement specializing in the preservation of the Buddhist teachings, the Dharma, through their unique Tibetan culture. All facets of the trad itional arts
were encouraged. Hand woven carpets, woodcarving, and thangka (sacred) painting were carried on under the guidance of master craftsmen.
The community includes many monastic and lay artisans. They produce carpets, woodcarvings, prints, thangkas and other ritual and household objects. Besides their production, a selection of handicrafts from artisans of the Himalayan region we have known for years is available. The profits from
these activities help support the welfare services of the community: dispensary, facilities for the aged and needy, vocational centers and the like.
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SIGNIFICANCE AND VIRTUES OF THE SACRED MONASTERY
OF PHUNTSOK CHÖKHOR LING AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
Based on the visions and indications of the great tertön Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Do-Ngak Lingpa (1910-1991), below is a brief exposition describing
the significance and virtues of the
sacred location of Tashi Jong in Himachal Pradesh, India, written by Khamtrul Rinpoche, Döngyü Nyima (1923-1980).
NAMO GURU VAJRADHARAYA
The inconceivable wisdom, tenderness, power and activity of the infinite Buddhas appears incessantly and all-pervasively to those to be enlightened,
marvelously liberating through sight, sound, memory and touch.
Among the inconceivable and miraculous array of sacred lands and the eight cemeteries, this particular sacred place is part of the mandala of Dzalandhara, one of the twenty-four lands1. More specifically, it is the spontaneously perfected land of the great mandala of the dharmadhatu's king of
speech, Lord of the Families, Jnanasattva Manjushri.
According to the Manjushri Mayajala's exposition of the six realms, the mountain-peak [behind] is [sacred as] the Body aspect, Gyalwa Takpa Jampel
Sönnu; the ridge on its right side is the Speech aspect, Gargyi Wangchuk Mawai Senge; the peak on its left side is the Mind aspect, Mikyö Dorje
Yeshe Sempa; just below, a hill covered with medicinal herbs is the amrita-mandala of the Quality aspect, Dorje Nyima Jampel Dorje; further below, a
rocky gorge is the Activity aspect, Tayi Gyalpo Jampel Dönkün Drupa; or according to its wrathful aspect, Chakya Silnön, the all-pervading lord of the
Tathagata families which are:
1. Charka of the Vajra family,
2. Khathün of the Ratna family,
3. Shorsang Nyima Trhöpa of the Padma family
4. Trochu and the dark red Kikang of the Karma family.
These are thus the important residing deities.
Likewise the temples and sacred objects of Pal Phuntsok Chökhor Ling, the monastery is a miraculous manifestation of the indestructible wisdom of
peaceful and wrathful Manjushri, as it appears according to the disposition of those to be enlightened.
In brief, as the compassion and blessings of the Buddhas will certainly enter the faithful, develop an attitude of faith, considering that all the peaceful
and wrathful mandalas of Manjushri actually reside in this location. Therefore to endeavor in prostrations, offerings, and circumambulations here is
very important. To do one exterior circumambulation 2 will certainly equal three dungjur3 of Vajraguru or peaceful and wrathful Manjushri recitations,
and every interior circumambulation 4 equals one dungjur of recitations. Such benefits are assured.
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From the predictions of the Gongdü:
Emanations of the Buddha,
May manifest as earth, stones, mountains, rocks narrow passages, and so forth,
Appearing as self-arisen emanations of Body, Speech and Mind.
For someone connecting with such [an emanation] through hearing or seeing, there will be no lower rebirth.
The locations are not fixed, they may be border-areas, the center, and so forth.
Not being close or distant, they may appear to anyone.
Likewise, the time is not fixed, they may appear anytime.
Such lands have no duration and will abide till the end of samsara.
From the Record of the Twenty-five Sacred Places of Dokham:
[In this place], as much as one could offer prostrations and circumambulations, that much will the doors of the lower realms be closed.
Having respect one will be born in the higher realms.
Offering one ganachakra the great accumulation of merit will be perfected.
Offering two ganachakras karmic ripening will be purified.
Offering three ganachakras you will meet myself, Orgyen Pema.
In reality, in experiences, in dreams, or in signs.
If you can offer one-hundred ganachakras, you will be reborn in the Khachô Realm of Celestial Enjoyment.
If you wish supreme accomplishment and if you practice one-pointedly, you will gain accomplishment.
Emaho! Supreme place, benefitting those with connection!
Such praises occur repeatedly in the vajra-scriptures, therefore be assured. With a happy trust in the ease yet profundity [of such practice], those wishing themselves well should endeavor accordingly. This is my prayer.
Condensing the visionary indications of the great emanated tertön, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche,
Do-Ngak Lingpa, Great Bliss, Lord of Dance, this was written as requested by Khamtrul
Döngyü Nyima. May it be of benefit!
Translated into English by Jakob Leschly.
Notes.
1 - 24 locations sacred to Vajrayana practice.
2 - A route which circumambulates the entire area.
3 - 100 million.
4 - A route of circumambulation within this valley.
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SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR VISIT
A schematic map of Tashi Jong is given in the next page. A more detailed one can be seen on the North side of the parking lot. The arrows indicate a
suggested walk through the main points of interest. During your visit do not hesitate to ask the local people for guidance or information on the different
spots. They will certainly be glad to assist. During or after your stay you can get tea, refreshments or food from the several restaurants operating in our
place. Also, if you decide to stay overnight, guest houses are available.
And last but not least, before your departure you can visit the showroom of our community. There you will find a large selection of Tibetan carpets and
handicrafts for sale. All the proceeds go to charitable purposes within the community.
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Parking lot
Departure of walk
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MAP OF TASHI JONG
and places of interest
2
3
4
steps
5
8
SOUTH
20
9
10
6
11
12
15
7
12
16
17
18
19
13
14
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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Offices, showroom of Tibetan handicrafts and carpet factory
Parking lot
Shops, Internet access, restaurant and guest house
Dispensary, guest house and restaurant
Prayer wheels
Khampagar Institute
Prayer wheels temple
Kunga Raua temple
H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche stupa
Main temple
Monastery kitchen, dining hall and guest house
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13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Monk's quarters
Tokden Amtin Kudun and Popa Rinpoche's residence
Yamantaka temple
Library
Ven. Tsabdrul Rinpoche residence
H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche residence
H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche and V. Ven. Choegyal Rinpoche residence
Retreat center
Young monks school
Public toilets
SOME PLACES OF INTEREST
(The numbers in the captions refer to the numbers in the map on the previous page)
1 - Visit the carpet factory. At the end of
your walk, the showroom offers you a
large selection of Tibetan handicrafts
5 - Great merit accrues from circumambulating the wheels in a clockwise direction.
You can also do it.
6 - Khampagar Institute. Monks pursue
studies on Buddhist philosophy. See incharge for possibility of visiting.
7 - Great merit accrues from circumambulating and turning the wheels in a clockwise direction. You can also do it.
8 - Kunga Raua temple. Daily ceremonies
are held here. You can watch from the
windows or the gate.
9 - The stupa of the previous Khamtrul
Rinpoche. Behind, monks quarters and
library, where sacred texts will be kept.
10 - Main temple. Can be visited by contacting the in-charge. Enter through the
door at the left of the main gate.
11 - A view of the monastery kitchens,
dining hall and young monks school.
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13 - Tokden Amtin was one of our greatest
meditation masters. His shrine can be
visited.
17 - H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche residence.
You can meet him by previous appointment. Contact the in-charge
18 - H.E. Dorzong Rinpoche and V. Ven.
Choegyal Rinpoche residence. Meeting
possible by appointment.
14 - Yamantaka temple. Presently is a
retreat center, non visitable. Spectacular
panorama of Kangra valley.
INSIDE THE MAIN TEMPLE
The main shrine in the temple is the center of devotion for both
the monastic and lay communities of Tashi Jong. It was designed by the previous Khamtrul Rinpoche himself.
The entire building of this shrine, including woodcarving, gilding, painting, setting up, etc. was carried out by his disciples.
He placed precious relics and mantras inside each one of the
statues. After that he, together with his disciples and sangha,
blessed and consecrated them.
Rinpoche chose to place the last Buddha that appeared on this
planet, Buddha Shakyamuni (number 7 in the figure on the left)
at the top center, and greater in size than the other manifestations in the shrine. He was preceded by six other Buddhas.
Nine hundred and ninety three are yet to manifest during this
cycle of the universe, for a grand total of 1000 fully enlightened
beings.
Referring to the numbers in the figure, these six enlightened
beings are:
1 - Buddha Vipasha
2 - Buddha Shihini
3 - Buddha Vishubhuze
4 - Buddha Krakutatsente
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5 - Buddha Kanakamunaye
6 - Buddha Kashyapa.
According to ancient Indian Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Kalpabhadra (the Sutra of Good Fortune) during the initial evolutionary
stages of our planet, gods and goddesses living in pure realms (Tib. Tsongrikyilha) had a vision of one thousand lotuses springing from the seas, in
formation. They understood that to be a sign of the future manifestation of one thousand fully enlightened human beings. Upon seeing such a vision,
they exclaimed "Good fortune!", and that is the reason why our planet is known by that name (Tib: Kalzangshing)
On the lower row are:
8 - Tsangpa Gyare (1161-1211) the founder of the Drukpa Kagyü lineage.
9 - Buddha Akshobhya (Tib: Mitrukpa) He lives in the pure realm known as "Sublime Joy" His blessings are effective for the purification of accumulated
negative karma, especially anger. Therefore the meditations and practices of this buddha are emphasized in the lineage of this m onastery, in order to
bring peace and happiness to all beings. He is also a very powerful protector against dangers and obstacles.
10 - Guru Rinpoche (Skt: Padmasambhava). Indian Buddhist Mahayana Tantric master from the Swat valley. Highly learned and accomplished, he
helped to firmly establish the teachings in Tibet during the VIII century.
11 - Green Tara (Tib: Drol Djang) Female buddha, very effective for protection against both internal and external obstacles. She is also known as "Glorious Swift".
Stupa
Mandala of Chakrasamvara
Silver and gold gilt stupa, sponsored by the Queen Mother of Chakrasamvara is a Buddhist Tantric deity. It is also one of the main meditaBhutan to enshrine the main part of the relics of the Eighth tional practices for the realization of the subtle channels, winds and energies
Khamtrul Rinpoche.
(nadi, prana, bindu)
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This stupa is outside the temple, number 9 on the map on page 3.
In Buddhism the stupa has many meanings. Here is a symbol for the enlightened mind. This particular stupa was built on the place of the cremation of
the previous Khamtrul Rinpoche, and contains a part of his relics
Some time after of its completion, a Bodhi tree, symbol of enlightened compassion, spontaneously started to grow straight up above the Buddha's head.
You can see its roots and leaves growing out of the front part.
Site 9 - The stupa of the 8th. Khamtrul Rinpoche
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Tibetan Craft Community
Tashi Jong – Taragarh – (HP) – 176081 - INDIA
email: [email protected]
May all sentient beings without exception
Swiftly realize
All temporary and ultimate benefits
v. 01/11