Where is it?
Tsoknyi Gechak Ling is located in the ancient hilltop village of Chobar, outside of Kathmandu. Chobar is renowned for the centuries-old temple of the Chobar Adhinath, one of the Kathmandu Valley’s four main temples of Avalokiteshvara. In addition, the village sits above the Chobar Gorge, where according to legend the Bodhisattva Manjushri compassionately cut through the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, opening what was previously a lake for human habitation.
The site where Tsoknyi Gechak Ling thrives today was originally a monastery, then was abandoned, and finally restored by Tsoknyi Rinpoche to house the first wave of Tsoknyi Nangchen nuns who came to him for support in the 1990s.
What are the facilities?
Tsoknyi Gechak Ling now contains residences for approximately 250 nuns, a primary and secondary school (pre-kindergarten to 8th grade) called Tsoknyi Gechak School, a Shedra (a center for studying Buddhist teachings and practices) and a Three Year Retreat building; “The Pema Chödron Drubde.” In addition, there is an old shrine hall from the pre-existing monastery where the secondary school nuns do morning pujas and a new shrine hall where the shedra nuns practice daily meditation and monthly pujas. The nuns are supported by a wonderful staff and a new kitchen and dining hall which was finished last year.
What is still under construction?
The primary and secondary school is expanding into new space with larger classrooms, assembly space, a dedicated art room, and science lab. The new building will accommodate the increasing numbers of young nuns. The International Meditation Center is also currently under construction with hopes to complete it in the next year. The Center will be available to the global sangha for study, reflection, and meditation and offers fully modern accommodations right on the campus of Tsoknyi Gechak Ling. More to come as construction wraps up!
