Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tibetan Buddhist Monastery at Mirik

This monastery,which is known as Bokar Ngedon Chokhor Ling is located in Mirik, a small village within the district of Darjeeling,in the northeastern Indian state of West Bengal. Apart from the present monastery, retreat center and Stupa, the great Indian Mahasiddha Maitripa was known to have spent time meditating here. Marpa, the most eminent Tibetan translator and holder of the Mahamudra Lineage, received some of his highest transmissions from Maitripa. Situated at one of the highest points in Mirik, the monastery offer its warm presence to the village and the lake below. At present, there are 200 monks at the monastery. Their schedule includes daily practice and a broad range of studies in Buddhist philosophy and Dharma rituals. Bokar Rinpoche was one of the most senior tutors of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa in exile, and taught him so much of the precious oral traditions, sutras and tantras.