 The Dzogchen Monastery has now been reestablished at the Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement in South India, and is the official seat of the seventh incarnation of the Dzogchen Rinpoche. The site was chosen personally by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on land close by to his own residence. Before the foundations were laid, and again when building had begun, to everyone's surprise the Dalai Lama came unannounced to consecrate and bless the ground. Other great masters too, such as His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and His Holiness Dodrupchen Rinpoche, hoped very much that Dzogchen Monastery would be reestablished in exile. In addition to information here, please visit Dzogchen Monastery's sister site, developed at Dzogchen India.
In the early 1980s, while the young Dzogchen Rinpoche was studying in Dharamsala, his father, Tsewang Paljor, began construction of the main temple. In 1983, at the age of just 19 years, Rinpoche joined his family in South India to complete the work. By the end of 1991 the main buildings were finished, including a traditionally designed temple, with residence for the Dalai Lama on the upper floor; the Sri Singha Shedra; the retreat center; a residence for Rinpoche and his family; and living quarters for up to a hundred monks. Young boys from the local community joined as monks and four teachers were employed. Later when news had spread, other monks came from Tibet and Bhutan. 
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurating Dzogchen Monastery in 1992 |
In January 1992, the Dalai Lama formally inaugurated the new Dzogchen Monastery and gave teachings and empowerments over 11 days. Several thousand attended from the local community and from other monasteries and settlements in South India. His Holiness gave much advice for the monastery and the community, and pointed out that the work of the outer monastery was complete – meaning the buildings and a gathering of monks – and that now the work of the inner monastery could begin.Shri Singha Monastic University India  |
