Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery

The main focus of study and practice at the monastery is ensuring that the Buddha’s precious heritage of kindness and wisdom becomes embedded in the minds and hearts of all participants.

– Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

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Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery
Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery

Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling lies just a few minutes’ walk north from the ancient Jarung Khashor Chorten─the Great Stupa of Awakening in Boudhanath, Kathmandu. It is the main monastery at the heart of our mandala. Its name means “sanctuary for learning and practice,” and upon entering the compound, one can feel that the name rings true, as it is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

Based on the wishes of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and his family began construction of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in 1974. Upon its completion in the spring of 1976, His Majesty King Birendra of Nepal performed the official inauguration. At that time, the Karmapa appointed Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche as abbot and his brother, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, as master of rituals. Gyalwang Karmapa then led the consecration ceremonies. Thereafter, he offered the entire transmission of the Kagyu Ngakdzo cycle of teachings and practices to both the ordained and the lay sangha.

In keeping with its auspicious and promising beginnings, for decades Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling swiftly blossomed in all directions. Numerous meditation masters from the Himalayas have visited and given teachings and blessings in the main shrine hall. Hundreds of monks study and practice at the monastery on a daily basis, both the general teachings of Buddha as well as the inner tantric rituals with profound meaning.

Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery latest design, 2017, Oct
Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery latest design, 2017, Oct

During the two devastating earthquakes of April and May 2015, the original main temple suffered extensive damage and can no longer be used. A new temple has been designed and will be built with the help of so many experts and friends from both Nepal and all over the world.

One can view all the beautiful new designs here and support this crucial project by joining our “Pledge to Rebuild.” Even during the earthquakes, the continuity of the practice was not interrupted, and the monastics performed the daily rituals and prayers in temporary shelters outside the temple, while also hosting hundreds of locals in need of food and shelter. Until the new temple is built, another building currently serves as the main shrine hall.

Rangjung Yeshe Institute
Rangjung Yeshe Institute

The monastery also houses Rangjung Yeshe Institute, the Center for Buddhist Studies, in partnership with Kathmandu University. At this world-renowned institute, local and international students from over thirty countries study Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Nepali, and other topics relevant to understanding the history of Buddhism and its contemporary forms.

For complete information on Rangjung Yeshe Institute and its degree and non-degree programs, please visit here.

Photo gallery:

The view from the monastery to the Boudhanath Stupa
HH 16th Karmapa during inauguration of the new monastery
HH 16th Karmapa with Tulkus and high Lamas at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery
Abbot Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche teaching young monks in the early days
Vajra master Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche in the early days
Chokling Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, 1973
Heavy damage on the original monastery after the earthquakes of 2015
The monks traveled to remote villages to provide urgently needed earthquake relief
Monks delivering food, tarps and other needed utensils to remote areas after the earthquakes
Monks performing a ritual in the old shrine hall
Monks performing a ritual in the temporary new shrine hall
Latest plans for the new monastery
Latest plans for the new monastery
Latest plans for the new monastery
The new building of the Rangjung Yeshe Institute
International students in one of the new classrooms of Rangjung Yeshe Institute

Meet our Teachers

  • Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

    Born in 1951, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche is the eldest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Since the inauguration of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in 1976, he has served as its abbot. Overseeing both the monastery and its affiliates, Rinpoche is responsible for the personal welfare and spiritual education of more than 500 monks and nuns. Rinpoche is also a renowned meditation master and teacher.


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  • Phakchock Rinpoche

    Phakchok Rinpoche

    Born in 1981, Phakchok Rinpoche is the eldest son of Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, nephew of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, and an outstanding teacher in his own right.


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  • Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche

    Born in 1953, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche is the 4th reincarnation of the renowned 19th-century Nyingma master, Terchen Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa. For more than 40 years, Rinpoche has resided at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery where he serves in the role of Vajra Master.


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  • Tulku Urgyen Yangsi

    Born in August, 2001, Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche was enthroned at the age of seven in Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudhanath by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche on Lha Bab Duchen in November, 2008.


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  • Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

    Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920 – 1996) was widely acknowledged as one of the great meditation masters of the 20th century. Having fled Tibet in the face of the Chinese invasion, he settled in Kathmandu Valley and some years later founded Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. In addition, Rinpoche took under his wing the hermitage of Nagi Gompa, perched high on the northern slopes of the Valley, and there he lived quietly as a true Dzogchen yogi.


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