Triten Norbutse Building Project: New Temple Complex

While in Kathmandu last month, Carol and Dmitry met with Pönlob Tsangpa Tenzin who kindly gave us a tour of the new temple. The building work is progressing well, despite setbacks due to Covid and the monsoon season.

This year, FPYB donated almost one third of book sales’ revenues to the Temple Project, via Association Triten Norbutse. All proceeds from How to Practise Dzogchen in Daily Life (by Drubdra Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin) are donated to the Temple Project.

The new complex comprises 5 floors:

1. Some senior monks have just finished a 2-hour meeting to discuss proposals for the main statues and shrine area of the new temple. The main statue is being commissioned by an expert craftsman from Patan.

2. Pönlob Tsangpa Tenzin leads the way through the puddles on the floor above the main temple. These rooms will be used for meetings, teachings and classes. At least one classroom is already in use – some monks are preparing for a written exam, to be held the day after our visit.

3. The lower ground floor, adjacent to the new dormitories for younger monks, will house the kitchen.

4. The apartment for Yongdzin Rinpoche is taking shape, and includes a large outdoor area with a wonderful view over the city to Swayambhu and the mountains beyond. The very very top pagoda will probably house a mandala.

5. An elevator, the first in Triten Norbutse Monastery, is being built on the West side of the complex.

The new temple will comfortably hold all the monks and nuns, and on special occasions, such as initiations, Geshe ceremonies etc, it can increase its capacity to around 600 people. The monastery is known throughout Kathmandu as ‘Rata Gumba’ or ‘Red Gompa’ and this new building enjoys a commanding position overlooking the whole valley.

Donations to the ongoing building project can be made via Association Triten Norbutse: http://blufih.fr/project.html

Photos by Carol Ermakova