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Tsandra Rinchen Drak
Palpung, Derge, Kham, TIBET

Tsandra Rinchen Drak - Devi-Koti

Tsandra Rinchen Drak, also known as Devi-Koti, was revealed to be one of the 25 sacred places in Eastern Tibet by Chokling Rinpoche in 1856. In 1860, the first Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lodro Thaye, established a Shangpa Kagyu retreat centre there. Since then, Tsandra Rinchen Drak has been the main seat of the Jamgon Kongtruls in Tibet.
The 3-year Shangpa Kagyu Retreat Centre
The traditional 3-year Shangpa Kagyu retreat continued successively from 1860 through the lifetimes of Lodro Thaye and Palden Khyentse Oser, the second Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. These retreats were discontinued in 1959 due to the turmoil caused by communism coming to Tibet.
 The Sangha of Tsandra Rinchen Ling
However, when the third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lodro Chokyi Senge, made his first visit to Tsandra Rinchen Drak in 1984, he inspired and instructed the sangha there to rebuild the retreat centre and re-establish the tradition of the 3-year Shangpa Kagyu retreats.
Lama Karma Namgyal
The retreats resumed in 1986 with 25 monks under the guidance of Lama Karma Namgyal, a devoted disciple of The Very Ven. Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche. The sixth retreat begins this year, 2002. Lama Karma Namgyal himself completed the 3-year retreat at Tsandra Rinchen Drak in the 1940s under Kalu Rinpoche who was then Retreat Master. Now 86 years old, Lama Karma Namgyal appointed a younger assistant last year, 35 year old Lama Thamchoe, to help guide the retreat.
 Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok
Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok
The projects and activities at Tsandra Rinchen Drak have continued under the able guidance of Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok, who is a qualified Tibetan doctor. This 88 year old devoted disciple and general secretary of the second Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Palden Khyentse Oser, has lived in Tsandra Rinchen Drak for 80 years.
Despite his advanced age, Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok is still very active. Following the instructions of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, he rebuilt the shrine hall and retreat centre, both of which were destroyed during the cultural revolution. He completed the construction of a Tara Shrine room in 1996 as well as three stupas to enshrine the relics of the first, second and third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoches. His wish now is to rebuild the Ka-Rab Lhakhang that Palden Khyentse Oser had constructed, which was also destroyed during the cultural revolution.
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Monasteries and Retreat Centres - Intro
Location of Monasteries and Retreat Centres
Schedule of Observances and Programmes


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