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Surmang Monasteries
Groundbreaking for the reconstruction of the shedra (monastic college) at Surmang Dutsi Til monastery in Tibet occurred in Summer 2004.
The Shambhala International sangha, under the leadership of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, is providing funding toward the shedra construction effort as well as for the support of the twelfth Trungpa. This support is taking place under the auspices of the Kunchok foundation. [ more ]
Tax-deductable donations to support the shedra rebuilding can be made on the Konchok Foundation
website or through Lyndon Comstock at 415-868-0118 or lyndoncoms@aol.com.
The construction of the Surmang shedra (school) is moving ahead on
schedule, with the main structural elements to be finished in 2006. The
shedra will provide dharma and scholastic education in a valley where
there are no schools at present. The shedra will include students who
are male or female, young or old, monastic or lay.
For the latest news about Surmang, please visit the Konchok Foundation
website.
Within the spiritual geography of the dharma, Surmang has its own
particular traditions of teachers and practitioners, familial ties,
dharma arts, and special teachings. Much of this rich heritage has yet
to be fully transmitted to the Western students of Chögyam Trungpa
Rinpoche and his son Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Maintaining the dharma as
strongly as possible at Surmang is thus vital to both the Western and
the Tibetan sanghas of our lineage.
The Shambhala International sangha, under the leadership of Sakyong
Mipham Rinpoche, is providing funding toward the shedra construction
effort as well as for the support of the twelfth Trungpa. This support
is taking place under the auspices of the Konchok Foundation.
Khenpo Tsering Gyurme of Surmang is overseeing the construction effort,
in conjunction with other members of the Surmang community and with
assistance from Shambhala International sangha members.
My first endeavor on my
return to Surmang
[in 1957] was to carry out the last wish of the
tenth Trungpa Tulku and to enlarge the seminary [shedra]... Khenpo
Gangshar appointed four kyorpons (tutors) as instructors and also gave
me authority to assist in the teaching.
...[I] told them [the
Surmang senior monks] how important Jamgon Kongtrul, Gyalwa Karmapa and
myself considered the seminary to be in preserving our Buddhist way of
life. I added: Even if the Communists destroy the whole place, the seed
of knowledge in our hearts can not be destroyed. Even if we build today
and our building is torn down tomorrow, I will not regret the spending.
It would be a greater regret if we hoarded and what we had hoarded was
taken from us without any progress having been made in the spiritual
understanding of our people...
...Although the Chinese menace
seemed to be getting stronger...I called in silversmiths and goldsmiths
and indicated the images to be made, and also arranged a meeting with
the master artists, craftsmen and carpenters... By the New Year 1958 the
building was finished...
—Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche,
Born in Tibet
quoted by permission of Shambhala Publications,
Inc.
I, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, spiritual and temporal head
of the Shambhala Mandala, am completely committed to the development of
Surmang... [ more ]
—Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
I hold fewer aspirations dearer in my heart than the
rebuilding of Surmang, the spiritual home of the Shambhala mandala.
—Lady Diana Mukpo
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Chökyi Senge, Trungpa XII
The twelfth Trungpa, Chökyi Senge, now 17 years of age, currently
resides at Surmang Dutsi Til.
Born in 1989 to a branch of the
royal family in the Derge region, he was recognized as a child as the
next Trungpa by Tai Situ Rinpoche and enthroned in a ceremony at Palpung
monastery, the seat of the Tai Situ lineage.
The twelfth Trungpa has a tutor at Dutsi Til who is presently assisting
him in his dharma studies.
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