The 14th century in the history of Tibetan Buddhism was an era of reformation. A child named Kunga Nyingpo was born in AD 1357, in a small hamlet Tsongkha in eastern Tibet.
The 14th century in the history of Tibetan Buddhism was an era of reformation. A child named Kunga Nyingpo was born in AD 1357, in a small hamlet Tsongkha in eastern Tibet. The newborn baby was destined to be the greatest reformer saint Je Tsongkhapa Lobsang Dragpa, who will establish a new system in Buddhism of Tibet.
At a very young age of 3 years, a great scholar saint Karma Rolpei Dorje introduced Kunga Nyingpo to preliminary Buddhist practices. Since then, for a whole 26 years, he was under the guidance of the most eminent Buddhist scholars of Tibet, and studied all aspects of Buddhist studies.
At a young age of 29, he wrote his first major work on Buddhist views – “Golden String of Elegant Saying”, and besides writing books providing his views on various topics of Sutra and Tantra (the 2 major fields of study in Buddhism), he also gave many religious discourses and teachings too. The profound and clear views expressed in his books and teachings were accepted and followed by Tibetans, and consequently, a new section in Tibetan Buddhism came into existence.
As time passed, the number of his followers grew rapidly and there was an urgent need to establish a centre to look after the progress of their study, as well as their well being. Henceforth, great Tsongkhapa launched the construction of Gaden Monastery (Tushita the great seat of Tsongkhapa) at Dhog Riwoche near to Lhasa.
Gaden Monastery was later counted as one of the “Den-sa-sum”, the 3 great monasteries of Tibet. Reputed to have 3,300 sangha in 1959, it was not only a residence for monks holding all the precepts of the “Vinaya” or moral discipline, but also a large monastic educational center where monks came to study from all over Tibet. The youngest students started about age seven and their rigorous course of study lasted many years. Besides study, there were different tasks to be fulfilled in the monastery so there was also training for religious musicians, artists, statue makers, sculptors, secretaries, disciplinarians and managers. Unlike other great monasteries of Tibet which merely specializes in a specific field such as Sutra or Tantra, Gaden provided a complete study of Buddhism (both Sutra and Tantra) – henceforth, a scholar from Gaden means having complete knowledge of Buddhism. Gaden in Tibet was located in an especially beautiful place upon a high hill at the height of 14,000 feet from sea level. There were 2 colleges – Shartse and Jangtse in Gaden Monastery.
GADEN SHARTSE NORLING MONASTERY IN TIBET
During the lifetime of Second Gaden Tripa (highest living Guru in the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism) – Great Khedup Je, four groups of sangha communities mushroomed in Gaden Monastery. These four groups were later merged into two groups, which were then named two colleges – Shartse (under the leadership of Mahathera Rinchen Gyaltsen), and Jangtse (under the leadership of Horton Namkha Palzang). Thereafter, Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery grew and flourished for generations under the wise leadership of 85 Abbots (present abbot is Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jangchup Choeden), all of them are outstanding scholars produced by this monastic college.
GADEN SHARTSE NORLING MONASTERY IN INDIA
In 1959, after the communist-Chinese-takeover of Tibet, one hundred thousand Tibetans followed His Holiness the Dalai Lama into India. Throughout this transition, it became crucial for the Tibetan people to work hard to preserve the endangered tradition, culture and unique religious heritage of Tibet. The exiled Tibetan government took immediate steps to pool the important and famous scholars of Tibet in Assam to avoid an imminent loss. Thus, Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery was first re-established in India, 1961 by gathering all escaped scholars under the guidance and wise leadership of the reigning Abbot Most Venerable Geshe Lobsang Chophel.
In 1970, the Monastery was relocated in Mundgod, Karnataka State in South India, where land and houses were allocated to its members by the state and central government of India. The beginning years in Mundgod were very difficult, because the monks were inexperienced in farming. Moreover, they were also unfamiliar with the weather and soil conditions of India. Soon, as time passed, the college became self-sufficient, so they began to enroll new members (from the local Tibetan settlement) into the college. A school was made possible to the new members with the help of a rudimentary teaching staff, which comprised scholars well versed in Literature, History, and all aspects of Buddhist studies. A simple everyday-routine of education and physical work was established.
Gradually, educational programs began to demonstrate sustained growth and success, thus admission, education and accommodation were provided free to all new members.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Traditional monastic education with modern flavors is focus of this Monastery. Preservation of the Tibetan culture, religion as well as the unique monastic educational tradition of Tibet, remains the top priority this monastery. No discriminations based on race, financial status or nationality is practiced very strictly. Shartse’s curriculum includes all aspects of Buddhist philosophical studies, practices, rituals and arts (scroll & sand paintings), Tibetan Literature, History, as well as other modern subjects and languages. The whole educational program takes 17 to 23 years to complete.
Shartse is not only recognized among Tibetans as one of the finest learning seats for Tibetan culture, Literature and Buddhist philosophy, it is also one of the few active monastic centers for Tibetan studies. Shartse graduates, who studied here more than ten years, are now respectable members of the exiled Tibetan community. Many of them hold responsible positions at the monastery itself, while others are active as leader, educator, writer, scholars etc. throughout the world.
ADMINISTRATION
A board of 21 sangha directors forms the governing body of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery. While the Abbot/President of the governing body is appointed directly by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the other counselors and functionaries are democratically elected by the members of the Monastery. In addition to this body, a working committee of 10 members is elected every third year as well.
The monastery has 3 departments – the Academic wing, Discipline wing, as well as the Administrative wing.
A common kitchen is maintained since the beginning of the monastery. Since its inception, it is continuously serving the community and strives to provide healthy, hygienic and nutritious food.
A school for young monks was specially built within the premises of the monastery and it is functioning well to educate the new generation of monks. Various committees necessary to look after the education of young monks are established and functioning well.
A library was also established in 1975 with a small collection of rare texts donated by well-wishers, which has improved significantly in the years. However, it is facing acute financial shortages the library is able to provide satisfactory service to the community.
Aiming to maintain good health and hygiene a small dispensary with limited facilities is built in 2007. Since its inception it is doing its best to serve the medical needs of the community.
SOURCE OF INCOME
The monastery is maintained through agriculture – 84 acres of farmland allocated to the monastery forms the main economic support of it. The Monastery doesn’t take any funds or grants from Govt. or any other political entities. It is totally funded through the donations offered by friends and Buddhist devotees all over the world.
LEGAL STATUS
Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery is a purely educational seat to learn Tibetan culture, literature and Buddhist Philosophy. It is registered as GADEN SHARTSE NORLING COLLEGE BUDDHIST CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (a non-profit educational and cultural center), with valid FCRA status; a required permission to receive foreign contribution and 12AA status; required to avail tax exemptions on its income.
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Kind sponsors, who would like to contribute towards the ADMINISTRATIVE, MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL & SOCIAL programs of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery, please feel free to approach the Khen Rinpoche (The Abbot/Chief monk) of the Monastery directly at:
Khen Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden
Gaden Shartse Norling College
P.O. Tibetan Colony, Mundgod,
N.Kanara, Karnataka State,
INDIA – 581 411.
Email: gasharkhenpo@yahoo.com
Alternately, you may also contact or approach directly to any of the departments:
Administration Office,
Education Development Project,
Education Supervisor Community
Gaden Shartse Health Clinic
Gaden Shartse Library
Gaden Shartse School
To write to any of the above departments in the monastery you may use the address below with chosen department’s name added on it:
Gaden Shartse Norling College
P.O. Tibetan Colony, Mundgod,
N.Kanara, Karnataka State,
INDIA – 581 411.
For your information you are most welcome to visit the website of the monastery: www.gadenshartse.net