Karma Thegsum Choling

Introduction to the Monastery

The monastery was built through the blessings and inspiration of His Holiness the 16th Gwalya Karmapa, the Head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness’ vision came in response to the sincere supplication of students in the West who yearned for an authentic Tibetan Buddhist monastery for the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings.To this day, the 16th Karmapa’s vision is being fulfilled as the “whispered lineage” (Kagyu)teachings which are preserved in their purity and made available to students in the West who wish to learn Tibetan Buddhism.

The shrine building was built by lamas, staff, volunteers, painted by a Tibetan artist-in-residence and decorated in the style and architecture of an authentic Tibetan monastery. It was completed in 1992. (photo album) On the grounds are a temporary staff residence which houses a gift store, kitchen, dining room and rooms for staff and students who attend teachings and practices held at the monastery. The grounds are decorated with Tibetan prayer flags draped up the mountain, a “Dharma Path” with benches and prayer flags that lead to a parking lot and a large goldfish pond stocked by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa.

In the Tara shrine room of the completed shrine building daily practices are open to the public. Tibetan and English transliteration texts are provided for two of the practices so that participants can chant in Tibetan and read the meaning of the prayers in English.

The monastery offers celebrations of Tibetan and Buddhist holidays such as Losar, the Tibetan New Year where festivities take on a week long schedule. Many Tibetan masters such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Sakya Trizin visit Karma Triyana Dharmachakra giving lectures, blessings and performing ceremonies. Buddhist and non-Buddhists alike visit the monastery appreciating the Dharma message of respect between all religious traditions and peoples. In addition, the main shrine room was used for three scenes of Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award nominated film Kundun, about the life of the present Dalai Lama.

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra houses the Karma Kagyu Institute, fulfilling the directive of His Holiness to preserve Tibetan arts and culture by providing a showcase for Tibetan paintings and statues, offering courses in Tibetan language, publishing Tibetan literature and philosophy, recording CDs of sacred music, producing DVD lectures of Tibetan masters, creating Tibetan sand mandalas, sponsering cross-cultural symposiums such as Buddhism & Psychotherapy and producing concerts where Tibetan liturgical music is performed. By it’s very nature, the monastery is preserving this great tradtion.

Construction is underway to complete the vision of the 16th Karmapa by constructing a building surrounding the shrine building which will house a large library of books on Tibetan religion, philosophy, travel, art, and practice; galleries of Tibetan paintings and statues; facilities to record Tibetan music and teachings; and a 10,000 sq. ft. courtyard for Tibetan cultural presentations. Off-grounds, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra maintains a traditional three-year, three-month meditation retreat center in Delhi, New York, and a beautiful stupa at Karma Thegsum Tashi Gomang in Crestone Colorado.

The monastery offers two tours each week for visitors from around the world. Programs are held on most week-ends year round, and are open to whoever is interested in discovering more about the Buddha’s teachings on wisdom and compassion. The teachings range from introductory presentations, including Tibetan language and music, to instruction in advanced Tibetan Buddhist (Vajrayana) practices. Many of the teachings are open to the public; please check the current schedule for up-to-date information.May limitless beings be benefited by KTD’s continual effort to teach the Buddhadharma, and preserve the Tibetan religion, arts and culture.