A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THUBTEN LEKSHEY LING, A BUDDHIST CENTRE IN BANGALORE
Thubten Lekshey Ling is a Palyul Dharma Centre for Buddhist studies and meditation in Baangalore, south India, founded by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in 2008. The Centre was blessed with its name ‘Thubten Lekshey Ling’ (Place of the Elegant Exposition of the Teachings of the Buddha) by His Holiness. Under the guidance of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, his Indian disciples Yogi Prabodha Jnana (Ajith Prasad) and Yogini Abhaya Devi (Priya Ananda), were instrumental in establishing the centre and requesting Namdroling Monastery to guide it. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche inaugurated the Centre by giving teachings. Due to the continuous support from all the dedicated sangha members, the centre is now located in Electronic City.
The centre offers Dharma teachings, meditation classes, and guidance to every enthusiastic follower, as well as organizing daily practice, special weekly practice, feast offering (Tsog) on auspicious days, and Vajrakilaya practice on every ninth, nineteenth and twenty-ninth day of Tibetan lunar calendar. Every year, the centre invites senior teachers from Namdroling Monastery to give teachings and empowerments. All the programs are conducted in English and those who are interested can attend the programs without any charge.
Most of the regular sangha members are Indians who are interested in Buddhist philosophy and meditation. In the early years, centre used to rent a room in a multi-religion community centre called Ashirvad to conduct a program every Sunday. In due course, many students joined the centre to practise Dharma. Consequently, the centre rented an apartment along with all necessary facilities in the heart of the city. This facility was inaugurated by His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche on 31st March, 2011. The Centre also established an extensive Dharma Library. Regular Pujas, including Tsog offerings on the 10th and 25th day of Tibetan Lunar calendar, were conducted in this place. H.E. Tulku Thubzang Rinpoche also visited the centre in 2012. As of now, more than fifteen practitioners from the centre have participated in the month-long retreats (Ngondro, Tsalung and Dzogchen) at Namdroling monastery.
Since its inception, H.H. Penor Rinpoche, H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, H.E. Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenchen Namdrol Tsering, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, Khempo Jamyang Tsering (Katyayana), Khempo Tsering Dorge, Khempo Jigme Kalzang, Khenpo Tshewang Sonam, Khempo Yama Chime, Khenpo Sonam Tsewang, Tulku Chodar, Dolpo Tulku Sherab Zangpo, Lopen Chogyal Wangdi and many other teachers blessed the centre and bestowed profound empowerments, transmissions, and instructions, thereby benefiting the fortunate beings.
Under the spiritual direction of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, his two students Yogi Prabodha Jnana and Yogini Abhaya Devi have made considerable contributions by serving the centre since its establishment. Moreover, Yogi Prabodha Jnana also taught in the centre until 2015. This year, they retired from all its administrative roles.
At the behest of the board and sangha members of Thubten Lekshey Ling, the board members of the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute of Namdroling Monastery appointed a lopon as the centre’s resident teacher for the year 2016-2017, thereby providing teachings on all days. At present, all the activities of Thubten Lekshey Ling are carried out under the directions of the board members which include centre’s resident teacher. The centre’s board members are headed by its spiritual director, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso.
Thubten Lekshey Ling
Board Members