"Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling"
Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery is one of the six mother monasteries of the Nyingma tradition. Established in Nepal by the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche after leaving Tibet, it preserves the rich philosophical and artistic legacy of Tibetan Buddhism near the great Stupa of Boudhanath.
The monastery features a thriving philosophical college, an elementary school for young monks, a hospice, and the renowned Shechen Sacred Art Institute, which teaches traditional thangka painting and sacred craft.
The lineage and daily practice of Shechen Monastery, its festival calendar, and how to visit a working monastery respectfully.
The original Shechen Monastery was situated in Kham, Tibet. Following the political shifts in Tibet during the mid-20th century, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche rebuilt the monastery in Nepal to ensure the unbroken transmission of sacred teachings, dance, and art.
Shechen is celebrated for its precise and elegant monastic dances (Cham) held during Tibetan New Year and Guru Rinpoche’s birthday, performed by trained monk dancers in vibrant silk costumes.
Visitors can explore the courtyard and main temple outside of private monastic study hours.
Please maintain quiet around classrooms and administrative quarters.
Shechen Monastery belongs to the Nyingma Lineage tradition, specifically the Mindrolling & Shechen Tradition lineage, and stands at 1,350 m in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, KATHMANDU DISTRICT. The surrounding area forms part of Boudha Sacred Zone.
The monastery follows Nyingma School and traces its foundation to 1980 AD (Dilgo Khyentse 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 Shechen Monastery are Year-Round (All 12 Months). Mornings are usually the calmest time to sit in the prayer hall, while afternoons suit walking in the surrounding area of KATHMANDU DISTRICT.
At Shechen Monastery, dress modestly, remove shoes and hats before entering the main hall, and keep phones silent during prayers. Some monasteries in KATHMANDU DISTRICT welcome overnight guests, which supports the community and gives time to join an evening session.