The Monks

Lama Nyedon Rinpoche

Lama Nyedon Rinpoche was born in Nyeshang in 1953.

When he was 13 years old, his parents offered him to His Holiness Karmapa, in whom he took refuge. His Holiness also prophesised that Lama Nyedon Rinpoche in future will bring great benefit to the community in Nyeshang. For six years, from the age of 13, Lama Nyedon Rinpoche studied and received empowerments from His Holiness and four Regents.

At the age of 19, he took the novice vows and at 25 he took the Bikshu Vows.

He graduated from his studies in Rumtek at the age of 27 and for the next 3 years he accompanied His Holiness Karmapa on Dharma tours in the Himalayan Regions. At the age of 31, His Holiness Karmapa sent him to undergo the traditional three years retreat in Rumtek under the supervision of Ven Bokar Rinpoche. On completion of three years retreat, His Holiness sent him as his envoy to Nyeshang Monastery where he served as Head and Administrator until now.

The 70 monks who live in the monastery are from seven to 25 years old and come from different families and races. A lot of kids are from poor families with non-educated parents. The monastery provides them cloths, food, accommodation, medical care and education. They are educated in Tibetan, Nepali, English, Philosophy and also learn practical things like Turma or simply help in the kitchen or in the garden. On Saturday the monks have holiday and most of the time they go to play football together. The monks live unsolicited in the monastery and can leave at any time. So far the monastery has broad up more than 300 kids who have already taken their own ways. Some of them went to India to study the Dharma, some of them went back to their villages to care about their parents and some others have become Lamas who travel around the world spreading the Dharma.