Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery, located in Sikkim, India, is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist monasteries in the world. It is the main monastery of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, and is home to the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

The monastery was founded in the early 17th century by the first Karmapa, and has been at the center of the Karma Kagyu tradition ever since. Many of the most important and influential lamas in the lineage have trained at Rumtek, and the monastery has played a key role in the transmission of the tradition to the modern world.

 

The monastery was badly damaged in a fire in 1992, but has been rebuilt and is now once again a thriving center of Buddhist learning and practice. The main shrine hall is a beautiful and imposing structure, and the gardens and grounds are a place of peace and beauty.

Anyone who is interested in Tibetan Buddhism, or in learning more about the spiritual traditions of the Himalayas, should visit Rumtek Monastery. It is a place of great learning and spiritual power, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits.