- Address: Everest Base Camp Trekking Rte, Khumjung 56002, Nepal
- Year of foundation: 1916
- Condition: active
- Denomination: Nyingma
In the Nepalese Kumjung District, there is the Sherp monastery of Tengboche or Tengboche Monastery, dedicated to the Buddha Shakyamuni. It refers to the Nyingma school (Vajrayana direction). He is also called the Thyangche Dongak Thakkok Choling and Dawa Choling Gompa. The temple is located in the homonymous village at an altitude of 3867 m above sea level.
Creation and development of the temple
The shrine is in the eastern part of Nepal and is the largest in the Khumbu region. The gompa was founded by Lama Gulu (Chatang Chotar) in 1916, who previously ran the Tibetan monastery of Rongbuk. In 1934, Tengboche suffered greatly from the earthquake, and at the end of the twentieth century a fire broke out in the temple. Restored it monks and local residents with the financial support of international volunteer organizations.
The monastery of Tengboche is located in the Sagarmatha National Park and is surrounded by ancient stupas. From here you can enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks : Everest, Taboche, Ama-Dablam, Thamserk and other peaks.
Since 1989, the gompa is headed by Navang Tenzing. Local residents believe that it is the reincarnation of the founder of the monastery. The abbot equalized the rights between tourists and all pilgrims. This helped to replenish the budget of the Tengboche monastery, and to restore these funds.
Painted walls were invited to the famous local artists Kappa Kalden and Tarke-la. On the frescoes they depicted bodhisattvas engaged in decorating the shrine.
Monastery Tengboche in Nepal officially consecrated in 1993. The religious room of Guru Rompoche was restored in 2008. The temple is also called the "gate of Chomolungma". Here come the climbers before the ascent and ask for blessings from the local gods.
What to see in the sanctuary?
The institution is not old, but there is something to see here. This is the architecture of the structure, and sculptures, and religious artifacts. While in the Tengboche monastery, pay attention to:
- A large courtyard where there are rooms for the monks. The main building here is Dohang, which is a ritual hall with a huge Buddha statue, occupying 2 floors. Near her two sculptures of Maitreya and Manjushri were erected.
- The Ganjura manuscript is another important relic in the Tengboche monastery. It describes the teachings of Shakyamuni in classical Tibetan.
- The entire perimeter of the temple complex is lined with ancient stones (mani), on which a mantra is inscribed, and prayer flags of different colors flutter above it.
- Temple utensils and household items have their own originality. For example, teapots here are convex, have a narrow neck and high domed lids.
Features of visit
Anyone wishing to enter the temple three times a day during the service, at another time to disturb the peace of the monks is strictly prohibited. Altogether there are 50 ministers. The monastery complex includes neighboring stupas and gompas.
Tourists like to come here to the religious festival Mani Rimdu, which lasts 19 days and is held in the middle of autumn. At this time, there are festive ceremonies and retreats (meditative Drubchenn). You can see the process of creating mandalas, dance numbers and the fire rite of Homa.
Near the monastery of Tengboche are guesthouses and hostels, rooms in which you must book in advance. In institutions there is internet and all necessary appliances. If the place is not enough, and you need to spend the night somewhere, you can break a tent near the entrance to the shrine. At night in these parts is very cold, so take warm things with you.
How to get there?
The Tengboche Monastery is best reached from the cities of Lukla and Namche Bazar . You can get to the settlements from Kathmandu only by plane. Transport to the sanctuary does not go, so it will be necessary to walk on a specially laid route 3-4 days.