Bön Culture Preservation Society
Shenten Yungdrung Lhatse Monastery - Leh, Ladakh
Our Bön cultural centre in Choglamsar, Ladakh was founded in 1994 to provide Tibetans in this region with a center for the preservation and cultivation of the Bön tradition.
Invitation to the Opening Consecration of our Temple with
H.H. 34th Menri Trizin Rinpoche
September 01 - 05, 2024
Shenten Yungdrung Lhatse Monastery - Leh, Ladakh
We are honored to announce the forthcoming visit of His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin Rinpoche to the Bön Monastery Shenten Yungdrung Lhatse in Choglamsar, Ladakh. Program Highlights:
- His Holiness will arrive on September 1st, 2024 (corresponding to the 29th Day of the 6th month of the Wood Male Dragon year 2151 in the Tibetan calendar).
- The program commences on the morning of September 3rd, graced by the presence of His Holiness and esteemed dignitaries.
- September 4th features the consecration ceremony of our temple, led by His Holiness.
- On the morning of September 5th, Rinpoche will bestow the Long-Life Empowerment (wang) of the Tsewang Charima cycle upon all devotees.
- September 5th evening will feature a scriptural transmission and teachings on the Three Heart Mantras (Nyingpo Namsum) by His Holiness.
- A celebratory lunch banquet will be held on the concluding day to express gratitude to devotees and mark the successful completion of the ceremonies.
We warmly invite you to participate in this auspicious event.
Historical Background
Bön: An Ancient Heritage of the Himalayas
The Bön religion boasts an ancient heritage in Tibet. From the reign of the first Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo, to the 32nd, Namri Srongtsen, Bön held a dominant position. It is deeply woven into Tibetan culture and arguably represents the region’s most ancient belief system. Regions surrounding Mount Kailash, such as Khyunglung, Purang, and Ruthog, possess histories stretching back millennia.
In ancient times, these areas fell under the domain of Zhang Zhung, a kingdom with Khyunglung Ngulkhar as its capital. It was here that Bön flourished and spread throughout the region. Recent archaeological discoveries in these areas have yielded valuable documents, including a book on the ancient Maryig language.
Zhang Zhung’s cultural influence extends beyond Tibet. Similarities can be found in the Nepalese border regions of Omla, Limi, and Tichu rong, as well as the Indian border regions of Ladakh, Zangskar, Lahul, and Spiti. Local dialects in these regions share a significant number of terms with those identified as Zhang Zhung origin in Bön literature.
For instance, the Bön scripture “Ziji,” a twelve-volume biography of Tönpa Shenrab, mentions the “Shon,” a significant Zhang Zhung ceremonial dance still practiced in these regions today. These connections highlight Bön’s role as an ancient heritage not just for Tibet and Zhang Zhung, but for the entire Himalayan region. It serves as a gateway to exploring the Himalayas’ ancient past.
We hope our cultural center will be a valuable resource for both Tibetan Bönpos and those with a personal or academic interest in various aspects of the ancient Himalayas.
About Us
Our Bön cultural center in Choglamsar, Ladakh was founded in 1994 to provide Tibetans in this region with a center for the preservation and cultivation of the Bön tradition.
Preserving Bön Tradition in Exile
Tibetan culture underwent a significant transformation beginning in 1959. As a result, many Tibetans, including practitioners of the Bön tradition, sought refuge in neighboring countries such as India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Following His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a small group of Bönpos settled in Choglamsar, India. The kindness extended by the Indian people and government, especially during those initial difficult times, will forever be etched in our hearts.
Under the benevolent guidance of His Holiness and India’s continued support, we have been blessed with the freedom to preserve and promote our centuries-old Bön tradition. However, a dedicated learning center for our ancient religion remained a long-held aspiration in this region.
Building a Legacy: The Bön Cultural Center
Driven by the desire to transmit Bön knowledge to future generations, the Tibetan Bönpos in Choglamsar established the regional Bön Cultural Center in 1994. Our vision was to create a traditional learning center and a well-equipped library.
The Department of Religion under His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) played a pivotal role in the initial stages. Their crucial support, along with the dedicated efforts of Mr. Jadur Sangpo, the Bönpo Representative at the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies, and generous donations from various associations in India and Nepal, allowed us to construct a three-room community hall. This space has become a hub for community gatherings and educational programs.
From a humble beginning with a single committee room, we have grown steadily. Through continuous fundraising efforts within settlements across India and Nepal, and with the help of friends and acquaintances, we were able to complete a monastery building on September 21st, 2002.
A Center for Learning and Community
During winter school breaks, we offer tuition to Bön children interested in learning about their heritage. Summer months are dedicated to prayer gatherings. The Bön Cultural Center has evolved into a vital cultural hub for Tibetans in Ladakh, welcoming guests and visitors from the CTA. Researchers find valuable resources on Shangshung, Bön, and Tibetan traditions here.
In 2001, understanding the water scarcity in the area, the CTA’s health department assisted in installing a hand pump for our center, which benefits not only our community but also the surrounding neighborhood.
Looking Ahead
The Bön Cultural Center has come a long way, but our vision continues to inspire us. We strive to further develop the learning center, expand the library’s resources, and create a space that fosters deeper cultural understanding and transmission.
Future Plans - Investing in Our Heritage
We envision transforming our current efforts into a well-equipped learning center dedicated to preserving the Bön tradition. However, financial limitations pose a significant challenge. The local Bönpo community lacks the resources to fully support such a center.
We believe that without a dedicated space for learning, future generations of Bönpos risk losing touch with their rich heritage. To prevent this, we have ambitious plans:
1, Establish a Traditional Learning Center: This center will offer in-depth studies of the ancient Tibetan religion, culture, history, and other relevant fields. Additionally, we will provide educational programs for school children, including subjects like English and Mathematics.
2, Develop a Comprehensive Library: We aim to curate a rich collection of reading materials, including the Kanjur and Tenjur, works by esteemed Bön masters, and contemporary academic resources.
3, Create a Community Hub: We envision an assembly hall where local Bönpos can gather for religious celebrations like the birthday of Lord Tönpa Shenrab and other important holidays. Additionally, we plan to build retreat cells to facilitate meditative practices.
An Appeal for Support
To make this vision a reality, we earnestly request your help. Any contribution, big or small, will bring us closer to achieving our goals.
Make a Donation
Bank Transfer
Account Name: LUNIRGNUNA
Account #: 919010055038784
Bank: AXIS BANK LTD, GROUND FLOOR AND FIRST FLOOR, TASKAN COMPLEX, LEH – 194101
SWIFT/BIC: AXISINBB147
Western Union
Please contact us through Facebook Messenger and ask for detailed info for sending money with Western Union.
About Khenpo Lungrig Nyima
Biography
Early Years
Born into a nomadic family in a remote region of Ladakh on October 3, 1969, Khenpo Lungrig Nyima’s early education was shaped by this unique circumstance. Due to the remoteness of his home, formal schools were unavailable. Fortunately, his father, a learned man, provided him with a foundation in Tibetan language around the age of eight.
In 1979, at the age of ten, Khenpo Nyima entered Menri Monastery in Dolanji, Himachal Pradesh. There, he embarked on a dedicated course of study encompassing sutras, tantras, mandalas, Tibetan grammar, poetry, astrology, and various other subjects. During his time at Menri Monastery, he served as both a discipline master and secretary for two years.
Geshe Degree and Teaching
Khenpo Nyima successfully completed his Geshe degree from Menri Monastery in 1992. Following this, he traveled to Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal, to further his studies in Dzogchen under the guidance of his root lama, H.E. Yongzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.
At Triten Norbutse Monastery, Khenpo Nyima excelled as a teacher, imparting knowledge of Dzogchen, Tibetan grammar, and mandala studies to other monks. He also served as a Discipline Master and teacher for several years.
Return to Ladakh and becoming a Khenpo
In the year 2000, upon request from the Bön people of Ladakh, H.H. Menri Trizin Rinpoche sent Khenpo Nyima back to Ladakh to oversee the Bön monastery and committee. Khenpo Nyima’s dedication to his community and scholarship culminated in his enthronement as a Khenpo at Menri Monastery in 2017.
