Jangchub Choeling Monastery 江矗措林寺院

History : Origins

In 1963, HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa asked Lama Dupsing Rinpoche to leave Kathmandu for Pokhara in order to meet the spiritual needs of the Tibetan and Nepalese population there. At first, a small monastery was established for performing Buddhist services and ceremonies. Over time, as the number of devotees grew, parents began to ask Lama Dupsing Rinpoche to ordain their sons as monks. Before long, there were 35 monks at the monastery.

In 1967, HH the 14th Dalai Lama named the monastery "Jangchub Choeling Monastery" and officially recognised the monastic community under the guidance of Lama Dupsing Rinpoche. Three years later, Lama Dupsing Rinpoche, aware of the need for expansion, moved the monastery to its present location. He planned to erect a larger building and improve the facilities. Sadly, he passed away in 1976 without being able to fulfil his dreams and left the newly inaugurated monastery without a leader or a certain future.

A Fresh Start

In 1978, HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa appointed Shangpa Rinpoche, then 23 years old, as Chief Abbot of the monastery. A few years later, H.E. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche requested Shangpa Rinpoche to be the resident Rinpoche for Singapore for the benefit of the Buddhists there. Since then Shangpa Rinpoche started to travel to Singapore and to many Karma Kagyud Centres in South East Asia.

In Singapore, Shangpa Rinpoche quickly established the Karma Kagyud Buddist Centre and initiated the purchase of permanent premises for regular teachings and ceremonies. Rinpoche also travels regularly to Karma Kagyud centres throughout South East and East Asia. His disciples in the region generously contributed towards the maintenance of both the centres in Singapore and Pokhara.

Over the last 20 years, Shangpa Rinpoche has continually expanded and improved the facilities at the monastery. In 1991 the present shrine hall was built and H.E Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche inaugurated the monastery. Yet, a place for prayer is not enough for a monk to develop a complete understanding of the Buddhist faith. Thus donations were sought to establish a Buddhist educational institute, and in December 1996, the Vikrama Shila Buddhist Institute was completed. The next project is the construction of new and larger dormitory rooms for the increasing monk population, the building was completed on January 1998.

Jangchub Choeling Monastery Buildings : The Shrine Hall

The architecture of the shrine hall is true to traditional Tibetan design, although it is entirely constructed with modern building materials. Inside the main hall there is a 7-foot copper and gold plated statue of Buddha.

On the far back wall, on either side of Buddha, are 1000 small Buddha figures representing the 1000 Buddhas believed to exist in this 'Fortunate Era'. The wall paintings, by the Tibetan artist Mr. Dhawa, portray the life of Buddha from birth to Nirvana, or Great Enlightenment. On the walls to the right and left of the entranceway, are images of the six Ornaments and the two Supreme Ones who beautified Buddha's teachings and made them accessible to all through their commentaries. On the walls facing the Buddha figures are portraits of the 16 Arhats who upheld Buddha's teachings after he passed away.

The second floor of the shrine hall is reserved as the residence and meeting place of the Chief Abbot Shangpa Rinpoche. The third story is home to a chapel for the Lineage Masters. Thus clay figures and images of the Lineage Masters of the Kagyudpa Traditions decorate the inside of the chapel. The chapel also holds 102 volumes of the Kagyur (Buddha's word) and 215 volumes of the Tengyur (commentary by the Indian Buddhist Masters).