About Us

History of Samtenling Monastery

His Eminence Kachen Yeshi Gyaltsen established original Samtenling Monastery in 1756 at Kyidrog valley. Kyidrong means "Happy Valley" in Tibetan. The valley was also blessed by many other influential scholars, great practitioners, abbots and lamas like Guru Rinpoche, Great Milarepa Je Rendawa and so on. Particularly the spot was frequented by Atisha to preach the Kadam tradition and he inscripted mani mantra on a rock to inspire the later followers. Therefore, the spot is called "Mani la kha". The valley is located at the southern border of Tibet and Nepal. The author of "Seven years in Tibet" describes magnificent valley Kyidrong well in his book. In the 18th century, the great practitioner and the personal tutor of H.H. the 8th Dalai Lama, Yeshi Gyaltsen established the Samtenling Monastery at the spot.

Kachen Yenshi Gyaltsen was born at Tsang Ta-Nak in Tibet. He studied at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Zhigatse, from where he obtained the highest academic degree (Kachen). He went to Kyidrong at the age of twenty three and practiced there for fifteen years, Subsequence to this, he acted as the personal tutor of the 8th Dalai Lama for twelve years. He also wrote protifically, leaving a legacy of 18 volumes of works pretaining to Buddhist philosophy, practice and ritual. He was well known in the whole of Tibet as a great practitioner of Lojong (training of mind). Samtenling's unique traditions basically derived from that time and have been uninterruptedly continued since then. Over the centuries Samtenling became particulary renowned for its careful observation of the monastic disciplines.

Present-Day Kyidong Samtenling Monastery

The present Kyidong Samtenling monastery is situated just next to the magnificent Boudha Nath Stupa, along with a number of other monasteries.

It is the oldest and first ever Tibetan monastery to be established in this historical location. After the upheaval in Tibet, the monks left their monastery and entered into Nepal in 1960. We reestablished the monastery close to the historic Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu in Nepal. From then until now we have extremely worked hard to preserve our own unique traditions of chanting and ritual activities. In accordance with the wishes of the monastery's founder, we have maintained the practice of the stage of the path rituals of the three main tantric deities of the Geluk tradition.

As well as these activities, the monastery also provides a modern education for the younger monks. In addition, there is trainings in some of the monastic arts: such as ritual decoration and offering, chanting, the playing of religious musical instruments and the performance of propitiation and tantric ceremonies. At present, the monastery has a hundreds of monks under its management including both old and young monks. Most of these monks are from Tibet while many others are from the remote Himalayan regions of Nepal bordering Tibet such as Rasuwa, Manang, Sherpa and Tamang, etc. Moreover, the monastery also runs a school for its younger monks with a sole aim of providing the moral education apart from religious studies including courses in languages,etc. The number of young monks keep on increasing year by year due to many arrivals from Himalayan region which we cannot refuse to enroll them in the monastery.

Samtenling School

Based on the education provided here, some of our monks later pursue further studies within the Tibetan community at esteemed institutions such as the monasteries of Drepung, Sera, and Gaden in South India, the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) in Sarnath, and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala. Currently, several of our monks are studying at these institutions to continue their education.

At our monastery school (MBPEC), students first learn the basics of Tibetan, English, and Nepali languages, along with mathematics, science, social studies, and computer skills. These foundational studies help them acquire essential reading and writing skills in each subject. From this base, students progress to more advanced subjects such as history, composition, and other academic areas.

Class and Courses

Our curriculum follows the traditional course of study practiced by the great masters of the past. In the initial stage, young monks memorize and practice prayers and ritual activities. Tibetan, English, and Nepali languages are taught from primary through senior levels. Currently, we have four class levels: Senior, Intermediate, Junior, and Primary. Classes run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., six days a week.

We consider Buddhism to be one of the most important subjects for any monk. Therefore, senior and intermediate students also study Buddhist philosophy and the science of Buddhist debate. After completing their studies at our school, students may choose to pursue further education at one of the three monastic universities of the Gelugpa tradition in South India, the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath, the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, or the Chakpori Medical School in Darjeeling, depending on their chosen path.

At Samtenling School, we strive to offer a well-rounded education that blends both ancient wisdom and modern knowledge, supported by the best quality and facilities we can provide.