Ever wondered where the Buddha first taught the Four Arya Truths? It happened right here in Sarnath. Now look around. We are standing in front of Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling. This monastery holds a special place in Buddhist history.
Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling stands as a beacon of Dharma. The land was bought in 1972. This happened through the inspiration of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. Construction began in 1990. It officially opened in 1995.
For years, this monastery housed monks. They came from Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche hopes it will become a pilgrimage site. He envisions students and friends of the Dharma coming from all over the world to study and meditate at Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling.
Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche played a vital role here. Born in Kham, Tibet, he escaped Chinese forces in 1960. He came to India to preserve Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Penor Rinpoche considered him one of the most learned Nyingma scholars. Khenchen Palden Sherab founded the Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling Nunnery. It was the first nunnery in Deer Park. His headquarters is at the Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling Nunnery in Sarnath.
He was appointed the Nyingma professor at the Central University of Tibetan Studies in 1967. Palden Sherab taught in France and the United States. He founded the Padmasambava Buddhist Center. He also established the Palden Padma Samye Ling retreat center in New York. These centers grew to include monasteries in various countries.
Palden Sherab designed and managed the construction of retreat centers, monasteries, a nunnery and the Miracle Stupa in India.
Currently, about 30 young monks live here. Their ages range from 6 to 21. They learn to read, write and study grammar. They also study philosophical texts. Furthermore, the monks learn English at Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling.
Palden Sherab passed away in 2010. His reincarnation was found in Nepal. In 2019, he was enthroned in India. He was given the name Palden Yonten Thaye Lodro Chokyi Gyaltsen. His seat is at the Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling Nunnery.
Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling stands not just as a monastery. It stands as a testament to perseverance. It embodies dedication to preserving Buddhist teachings. It represents a place of learning and spiritual growth for monks and pilgrims alike.