Orgyen Ling Institute

Orgyen Ling Institute is an arm of Sangchen Rabten Norbuling and is envisioned to be a Dharma institute of higher learning for both the monastic and lay community. The institute seeks to provide a thorough and comprehensive Buddhist education of the highest standards by means of teaching, practice, research, translation and publication.

“Connecting ancient wisdom and contemporary education”

Vision

An innovative Dharma institute that nurtures
Buddhist leaders and teachers of tomorrow

Mission and Goals

Cultivate competent monastic Sangha with a global mindset

Provide traditional and modern Buddhist education for both monastic Sangha and lay practitioners

Achieve the highest standards in study, practice, research, translation and publication of Buddha Dharma

Orgyen Ling Institute Artist’s Impression

Campus Location

The prospective Orgyen Ling Institute campus is located in the northeast suburban area of Kathmandu, Nepal. The campus is well connected to the Kathmandu City and also offers a beautiful natural environment.

Features and Highlights

Orgyen Ling Institute will be set amidst spacious grounds with lush greenery and simple architecture that is aesthetically pleasing and spiritually calming. Features and highlights of the campus are:

Main shrine hall with a 36-foot-tall Guru Rinpoche statue
Three blocks of class room and dormitory for monastic students
One block of classroom and dormitory for international students
Administration & information centre
Teachers’ residence
Kitchen & dining Hall

Progress of Development

[In Progress] Phase 1 of Construction: Main shrine hall with Guru Rinpoche Statue

The main shrine hall is designed as a Mandala according to the Tantras of Vajrayana Buddhism. It will house a 36-foot (ca. 11-meter) copper statue of Guru Rinpoche, which will be the biggest Guru Rinpoche statue in the world.

The construction of the physical structures in the campus is estimated to cost USD $5,400,000.

We are currently in the Phase 1 of Construction: Main shrine hall with Guru Rinpoche Statue. The total cost for this phase will be USD $2,004,000. The cost of the main shrine hall will cost USD $1,514,000 while the Guru Rinpoche status will cost USD $490,000.

We have raised $100,000 so far and have started the construction works. At present, there are 45 workers doing the construction everyday. Support us by making any donation here. For the latest updates on the progress of the construction, please see here.

[Completed] Construction of Wall Perimeter

Since the time of purchase, the land has been left vacant due to the lack of funds to commence any works. Unfortunately, this has led to illegal encroachment into the site by the nearby villagers. With some donations, we have begun construction of the 10ft wall perimeter to enclose the building site. The cost is around USD $140,300.

As at 4th Quarter 2023, we are happy to announce that the wall perimeter has been successfully constructed.

[Completed] Purchase of Land for the Orygen Ling Institute

We are happy to share that the land upon which the Orgyen Ling Institute will be built upon, has been purchased at USD $500,000. This is made possible through the donations of kind benefactors. We are truly grateful for their incredible generosity and support.

Why ORGYEN LING?

Sangchen Rabten Norbuling is located in Nubri, a mountainous region within the Himalayas. While the location is ideal for spiritual learning and practice due to its remoteness, it is largely inaccessible to many. There are two ways of reaching the place, either by helicopter or a 7-day trek from Kathmandu. The former requires large amounts of capital (USD $2,300) for a one-way trip (the amount may increase yearly), while the latter is riskier, requires good health and takes time.

The time and capital-consuming nature of reaching Sangchen Rabten Norbuling has two major implications. Firstly, food costs are driven up significantly, making it unsustainable to accommodate a growing community of monastic Sangha. Secondly, a wide range of audiences cannot be reached, presenting a challenge in terms of Dharma propagation.

To ensure the continuity of the Buddha’s wisdom, it is necessary to build a Dharma institution of authentic lineage at an accessible location so that the teachings can thrive far into the future. As such, Orgyen Ling Institute will be located in Kathmandu, the main city of Nepal. It is estimated that Orgyen Ling Institute will be able to accommodate approximately a few hundred Sangha and some lay practitioners.

Why Support?

For the Monastic Community

There are many great practitioners at Sangchen Rabten Norbuling. However, due to their inability to communicate in modern languages such as English and Mandarin, they are unable to share their experiences and deep knowledge of the Buddhadharma. Given that the monastic Sangha is the basis for the preservation and propagation of the Dharma, it is vital that we rethink monastic education in today’s context.

To Karma Migyur Dorje Rinpoche and Nubtul Tenpei Nyima Rinpoche, this means integrating the traditional academic excellence of the Tibetan Buddhist College curriculum with modern secular subjects such as English, Mandarin, mathematics, natural sciences, leadership and management. Such integration will be established in Orgyen Ling Institute, ensuring that each monastic Sangha receives an education that is well-rounded while still robustly grounded in the Buddhadharma, thus producing Buddhist leaders and teachers of tomorrow.

For the Lay Community

In the current era, where misrepresentation of the Buddha’s teachings and the loss of the essential meaning of certain ritual practices often due to cultural misunderstandings is prevalent among the lay community, it is imperative to ensure appropriate, accessible and high-quality Dharma education is available.

Orgyen Ling Institute strives to provide a comprehensive curriculum of hearing, contemplation and meditation on the Buddha’s teachings for anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of Buddhist philosophy and engage in practice. Teachers will include learned Khenpos and Tulkus from Sangchen Rabten Norbuling as well as Chorten Monastery.

Donate

Help preserve a living tradition and safeguard the continuity of the Buddha’s wisdom for future generations by donating to the Orgyen Ling Institute Development Fund as a recurring monthly donor or to make a one-time contribution.

In addition, we would also like to invite individuals, corporations, foundations and institutions to consider becoming a Patron of the Orgyen Ling Institute Development Project. Please contact us if you are interested.