Shenphen Shedrubling Shedra
In 1997, Dungsey Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche visited
Dundul Raptenling Monastery and recruited twenty-two new
monks, as the older practitioners from Tibet had
gradually passed away. Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche built a
one-story classroom and dormitory building for the monks
being educated there. Namdrolling Monastery sent a
khenpo to teach at Dundul Raptenling, which they have
continued to do since that time. Dungsey Shenphen Dawa
Rinpoche helped with the continuation of the monastic
traditions, supporting many of the monastery expenses
himself. This continued until 2003-2004, when, due to
the deterioration of His Holiness Shenphen Dawa’s
health, he was no longer able to support the monastery.
By 2005, most of the monks at Dundul Raptenling had left
the monastery, and the monastery continued to decline
until 2007. Facing those difficult circumstances—which
included the possibility of losing the monastery—Tulku
Tsephel conveyed his heartfelt wishes to Lama Sonam
Tashi (one of the few remaining monks, who had been
there since his childhood) that he would revitalize
Dundul Raptenling. Lama Sonam Tashi was able to recruit
fifteen new monks in 2008, and the monastery restored
contact with Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche, who was able to
provide funds for expenses. Under the supervision of
Tulku Tsephel, Lama Sonam Tashi looked after the
administrative affairs of the monastery, including
working with Buddhist and other associations,
fundraising, etc. Then, when everything had started to
improve, Tulku Tsephel passed away in 2010. During those
sad times, Lama Sonam Tashi took all the responsibility
for the monastery, while consulting with His Holiness
Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche and Sangyum Khandro Kusho
Rinpoche about nominating a new president for the
monastery.
In 2009, Dundul Raptenling hosted His Holiness the Dalai
Lama during His Holiness’ visit to the Odisha
settlement. His Holiness emphasized the importance of
preserving the Dudjom Lingpa tradition, as well as the
importance of monastic education. On that very day, Lama
Sonam Tashi asked Tulku Pema Rigsal for a teacher (lopön).
Tulku immediately agreed.
In March of 2020, a new library, teaching hall,
classrooms, dormitory, conference and computer building,
the Rinzin Jamyang Gaypai Gatsal, was inaugurated. By
that time, there were seventy monks, and they have
reached their 8th, or penultimate year of studies. The
monks are taught:
1) Shung
(Fundamentals of text and scripture)
2) Dudjom
Tersar lineage rituals and pujas
3) English
language reading and writing
4) Tibetan
language reading and writing
5) Dudjom
Tersar sand mandala making
6) Colored
thread weaving
7) Computer
classes
8) Dudjom
Tersar torma and adornment making
9) Dudjom
Tersar Vajra dancing
10) Tibetan
astrology
Dundul Raptenling Monastery welcomes all interested
individuals who are willing and aspiring to learn our
curriculum. One year of preliminary practice (Sa ter
Tersar) is the prerequisite to attend the shedra. There
is no charge to attend, and foreign students are
requested to prepare their necessary documentation.
