Osel Ling Monastery is the vibrant spiritual core of the Tergar Lineage, and the home of our spiritual leader the seventh Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, spiritual leader and tulku from the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions that have been unbroken for almost a thousand years.
Located at the top of Chhokdol Height, Sitapaila, Kathmandu, Osel Ling is a place of peace, tradition, ritual, education and meditation, and a support to the local surrounding community. The monastery is fully functioning, housing over 150 monks who live, study, meditate and debate together. The monastery is similarly a place of inspiration, study and contemplation for students from all over the world.
A Brief History of Tergar Osel Ling
When times began to change in Tibet, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s father, was among the many lamas and tulkus who left their homelands for India and Nepal. It is thanks to his great inspiration that Tergar Osel Ling came into being.
Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was a highly realized scholar and practitioner, holding both Mahamudra and Dzogchen lineages. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche obtained the land for the new monastery in 1986, and in 1990, the main temple was completed. He bestowed on it the name Ngédön Ösel Ling, 'Place of the Definitive Meaning, Clear Light.' Later, principal charge of the monastery was given to his son Tsoknyi Rinpoche, including overseeing the construction of a large extension.
After establishing a new Tergar monastery and school for young children in Bodh Gaya (2001-2006), Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche observed that in order to further preserve and share the teachings more widely, it would be important for Tergar to develop a monastic college (in Tibetan, shedra). Thus the intention to create a Tergar shedra was formed. Rinpoche's older brother, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, requested that Mingyur Rinpoche establish the shedra at Osel Ling, under the Tergar name, and take over responsibility for the monastery.
Respecting the wishes of his elder brother as well as the counsel of other lamas, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche officially took charge of Osel Ling in a formal ceremony on the third day of the first month of the female earth ox year (February 16, 2010), and inaugurated the shedra. The monastery's name was expanded to Tergar Ngédön Lungrik Ösel Dargye Ling, 'Flourishing Place for the Clear Light of the Definitive Meaning of the Scriptures and Reasonings. The new shedra was entrusted to Khenpo Gyurmé Wangche as the Head of the shedra. Intending that this monastery be, first and foremost, a focal point for study of the major scriptures of the Buddhadharma, Rinpoche personally and wholeheartedly took responsibility for the monastic college. To this day, several Khenpos provide the teachings on the sutras and tantric buddhism, while Mingyur Rinpoche provides the profound meditation instructions on both Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Thus, it has become a center for both study and practice in Nepal.
In 2015, Nepal was hit by a powerful earthquake creating great damage and losses. Osel Ling was not spared from the destruction. The original temple and monks' quarters were badly damaged. Therefore, after emerging from his wandering retreat, Mingyur Rinpoche raised funds from devoted sponsors around the world, and began to rebuild the monastery. Due to their kindness and generosity, construction of a grand new temple and new monks' quarters is nearly complete.
The Monastic College (Shedra) at Osel Ling Monastery
Under the direction of Khenpo Gyurmé Wangche, the Tergar Ngedon Osel Ling Shedra continues to flourish since 2010.
Learn More
To learn more about Tergar Osel Ling Monastery, visit this website: Tergar Osel Ling Monastery.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article