Travelogue_India- Coorg- Tibetan Budhdhist School

Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism

Located amidst the sandal groves a few hours from Bangalore and Mysore, in Karnataka state, South India, Namdroling was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche shortly after he came to India from Tibet. With only 300 rupees in his hand and with just a handful of monks, he laid the foundation stone of the three-storied main temple that then covered an area of 80 square feet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrated the spot and bequeathed the name "Namdroling Monastery." Today the monastery is home to nearly 5000 monks and nuns, renowned as a centre for the pure upholding of the teachings of the Buddha.

Bylakuppe, a few kilometres from Madikeri is the largest Tibetan community in exile, with about 40,000 people in five settlements containing monasteries, kindergarten to higher level secondary schools, health care clinics, a hospital and a traditional Tibetan medical facility.

The monastery attached to this temple is considered to be one of the best places for higher learning. This monastery dedicated to the teachings of Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche shortly after he came to India from Tibet.

  

Three beautiful larger than life gold plated statues look down at visitors above the altar. Buddha around 60 feet tall holds prominent place, flanked by Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayush (each around 58 feet tall).

The walls are adorned with colourful paintings depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology.

We have bought the Prayer bell  from one of the stalls maintained by the Temple. We did not bargain, as we were told that all the stalls are owned by the temple and the proceeds go the temple only.

The Bell is to be held in the left hand and the bell is gently struck with the wooden mallet. After a few seconds the mallet is to be rubbed all round slowly and steadily. The echo and reverberations increase exponentially and soon the room will be filed with rhythmic and pleasing sound. This is to be practiced a couple of times for a good effect.

We returned to the Windflower Restaurant after visiting Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, being exposed to a part of Tibetan culture and with a determination to visit again.