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 H.E. 4th Jamgon Kongtrul and Very Ven. Tenga Rinpoche
at the consecration-ceremony of the land - Dec. 99.

RIGPE DORJE INSTITUTE
The Rigpe Dorje Institute evolved from the Third Jamgon Kongtrul's meetings with many practitioners who had come to India and Nepal from all over the world to study and practice. He was touched by their sincerity and the personal hardships they were willing to endure which were often detrimental to their health. The wish then arose in him to found a proper place for lay students and practitioners that would be conducive to the pursuit of study and practice as well as to their well-being.

THE BUILDING
The building is estimated to be 57,000 square feet. The Design Architect, Lama Tenzin Yongdu, have served the Third Jamgon Kongtrul since 1987 and worked very closely with him in the design of the Institute. After the Third Jamgon Kongtrul passed away, Lama Tenzin Yongdu worked closely with Tenzin Dorjee, General Secretary of the Jamgon Kongtrul Labrang, in the designs for the Stupa Temple of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul and the residence for His Eminence the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. They continue to work together in the planning and design of the Rigpe Dorje Institute.

Originally, Third Jamgon Kongtrul planned to build the Institute in Sarnath, India. However, at the beginning of 1992, he decided to move the project to Pullahari in Nepal. The present design of the building is adapted from the original design for Sarnath drawn under the direction of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul. Modifications to the design have been made to suit the sloping terrain in Pullahari in accordance with the wishes expressed by the Third Jamgon Kongtrul in 1992.

Commanding an expansive view of the Kathmandu valley overlooking the Great Stupa of Boudhanath, the Rigpe Dorje Institute building is approached through an open assembly area in front of the main entrance to the public shrine hall where teachings and transmissions by the teachers will take place. The hall is designed for 600 people and additional numbers can be seated in the open assembly area outside.

  
 The stupa for the heart and bone reliquaries of
the first Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Thaye.

A main feature of the Institute is a Buddhist Library and Archive. The library is situated above the shrine hall. There will also be classrooms and ancillary facilities on that floor. Above this area is the Lineage shrine room. As envisioned by Third Jamgon Kongtrul, the stupas for the heart and bone reliquaries of the first Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Thaye, and the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa respectively will be placed there. Above the Lineage shrine room is the area for the archive. The apartment for His Holiness the Karmapa is on the upper-most floor.

A dining hall and kitchen; an auditorium and accommodations for scholars will be on the two floors below the shrine hall which have been made necessary by the sloping terrain.

    Photographs of work in progress

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