| In 1992, the first group of eight monks entered a newly constructed retreat center at Dhondenling in India for three years recitation practice of the Lama, Yidam and Khandro. Throughout this period, the retreatants are to stay within the boundary, and access to others is restricted. In October 1999, two monks came out of six years of retreat, one of whom had accumulated a hundred million mantras of Chenrezig – Om Mani Padme Hung. Most of the time in retreat is devoted to personal practice but the group come together to celebrate Tsok. From time to time they receive instructions and empowerments from Dzogchen Rinpoche and other visiting lamas. The Drupdra is just a few hundred yards away from the main monastery complex, but is secluded enough for the practitioners not to be distracted. It has 10 single rooms and a small, but resplendently decorated temple, with a magnificent single story statue of Guru Rinpoche.
Dhondenling Tibetan Refugee Settlement  |
