Tibet

Most of the monks at Dzogchen in Tibet, who are participating in the training in the study and practice lineages, are from the Dzogchen region and neighboring areas. Today, Dzogchen Monastery has three hundred monks and Shri Singha shedra has about 200 students.
 

Many of the monks are supported by their families and rely on individual donations. The main institution does not provide accommodation or regular meals, except on the occasions of special practice gatherings. Monks build their own cells, with permission of the monastic heads. Shri Singha students have recently been supported and sponsored by devotees of Khenpo Dorje Tashi Rinpoche. 

Gesar of Ling Dance at Dzogchen Monastery performed by monks from Dzogchen Monastery Tibet

Monks are repositories of oral and practical knowledge, such as lineage histories, practice instructions and rituals such as meditative performance art. It is traditional in Tibet that the monks are self-sufficient with respect to the Monastery, but they rely on the help of supporters to allow them to become independent of the monastic institution.

India

Dzogchen Monastery in South India is at the center of the Dhondenling Tibetan settlement. It is close to the town of Kollegal and 180km from the city of Bangalore. The settlement was founded in 1974 by around 500 Tibetan refugees. Today, it is made up of 22 villages. The monks at the Monastery are supported by and help support the refugees in the area. A number of buildings have been erected to support the population. Prior to the construction of a dining hall, monks ate in the open air, but the dining hall now allows hygienic meals. Monks from Tibet who carry traditions of Dzogchen, such as the Drupchoe dances, are teaching the younger monks in India those traditions, so that they may survive and be passed to new generations.

If you would like to participate in assisting Dzogchen monks, please contact the appropriate regional representative listed on the contact information page.

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