Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek is a village in Sikkim, known far and wide for the famous Rumtek Monastery, one of the largest functioning monasteries in Sikkim. Spread across 74 acres, the Rumtek monastery was established by H. H. the 16th Karmapa, who practiced dharma there, now called the old Rumtek monastery. At his request, the then Chogyal, Tashi Namgyal, offered him the land where the Rumtek monastery stands now.

It is located 24 km from the capital city of Gangtok. During its construction, the Gyalwa Karmapa performed special pujas at the site, and blessed the area to be the mandala of the “Chakra Sambara,” considered as one of the highest deities in the Buddhist tantra tradition.

The construction was started in 1961, and completed in six years’ time. Relics were brought from Tibet to be housed in the monastery. As the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, the Rumtek monastery symbolizes the spiritual energy of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism.

It is a centre of Buddhist studies where Buddhist scholars from far and wide come to study and practice Buddhism. The monastery is always alive and buzzing with activity, and a visitor can get glimpses of the daily life of Buddhist monks, watching them going about their daily routine.

History
Originally built under the direction of Changchub Dorje, 12th Karmapa Lama in the mid-18th century, Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim for some time. But when Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa, arrived in Sikkim in 1959 after fleeing Tibet, the monastery was in ruins. Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek. To him, the site possessed many auspicious qualities and was surrounded by the most favorable attributes. For example, flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front, and a river below. With the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the local folks of Sikkim, it was built by the 16th Karmapa as his main seat in exile.

After four years, construction of the monastery was completed. The sacred items and relics brought out from Tsurphu Monastery, the Karmapa's seat in Tibet, were installed. On Losar in 1966, the 16th Karmapa officially inaugurated the new seat, called "The Dharmachakra Centre, a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa."
The monastery is currently the largest in Sikkim. It is home to the community of monks and where they perform the rituals and practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage. A golden stupa contains the relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies. Rumtek is located 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, at an altitude of about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).