"Namo Buddha Monastery"
Namo Buddha (Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery) is one of the three most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in Nepal. Situated on a serene ridge approximately 40 km southeast of Kathmandu, it is celebrated as the sacred spot where the Bodhisattva offered his own body to feed a starving tigress and her newborn cubs.
The monastery complex is a breathtaking masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, home to hundreds of young monks, a monastic university, medical clinic, and peaceful retreat centers looking over the majestic Langtang mountain range.
The lineage and daily practice of Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, its festival calendar, and how to visit a working monastery respectfully.
According to the Jataka Tales, Buddha in a previous life was Prince Mahasattva. While walking in the forest, he encountered a female tiger so hungry she was about to eat her own newly born cubs.
Moved by deep compassion, the prince sacrificed his own body to sustain the tigress and her cubs, generating immense merit that accelerated his journey toward full enlightenment.
Namo Buddha hosts the annual Kagyu Monlam prayer festival, attracting devotees from around the world to chant for global peace and harmony.
Respect quiet zones near the retreat centers and classrooms.
Monastery visits are welcomed daily from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Thrangu Tashi Yangtse belongs to the Kagyu Lineage tradition, specifically the Karma Kagyu Practice lineage, and stands at 1,750 m in Namo Buddha, Kavre, KAVREPALANCHOK DISTRICT. The surrounding area forms part of Kathmandu Valley Outskirts.
The monastery follows Karma Kagyu School and traces its foundation to 1978 AD (Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche). Monks live and study on site, so the prayer hall, courtyards, and surrounding buildings are working religious spaces rather than monuments.
The best months to visit Thrangu Tashi Yangtse are Year-Round (Best Oct–April). Mornings are usually the calmest time to sit in the prayer hall, while afternoons suit walking in the surrounding area of KAVREPALANCHOK DISTRICT.
At Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, dress modestly, remove shoes and hats before entering the main hall, and keep phones silent during prayers. Some monasteries in KAVREPALANCHOK DISTRICT welcome overnight guests, which supports the community and gives time to join an evening session.