East Sikkim

RUMTEK

Rumtek is 24km away from Gangtok, on the ridges of Ranipul valley opposite Gangtok, at the height of 1550M. The place has immense importance due to presence of Rumtek Dharmachakra Center here.

In Buddhism, there are two important sects in Sikkim: Nyingma-pa and Kagyupa. The Nyingma-pa tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug). "Nyingma-pa" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as the "school of the ancient translations" or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century. The Tibetan script and grammar was actually created for this endeavour. In modern times the Nyingma-pa lineage has been centered in Kham in eastern Tibet. Historically, Nyingma-pa school of Tibetan Buddhism had its origin directly to Guru Padmasambhava and his principal disciples to whom he imparted lessons in the highest class of tantra. The Nyingma-pa school is also distinguished by the emphasis it places on the life of the layman as a valid path towards realisation, as well as its acceptance of an equal role for woman in transmitting the Dharma.

The Kagyu school is the reformed sect that was formed sometime in 11th century in Tibet and is headquartered at the Rumtek Dharmachakra Center today. Kagyu is classified as one of the Sarma or "New Transmission" schools since it primarily follows the Vajrayana or Tantric teachings based on the so-called "New Tantras" i.e. those which were translated during the second diffusion of the Buddha Dharma in Tibet. Like all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the Kagyu consider their practices and teachings to be inclusive of the full range of Buddha's teachings (or three yana) since they follow the fundamental teachings and vows of individual liberation & monastic discipline (Pratimoksha) which accord with the Mulasarvastivada tradition of the Sarvakayana; the Bodhisattva teachings, vows of universal liberation and philosophy of the Mahayana; and the profound means and samaya pledges of the Secret Mantra-Vajrayana.

The Monastery is the seat of the Kagyu or black Hat sect. Rumtek is one of the world's richest and most important Dharmachakra Centers. The original monastery was built by the 4th Chogyal in the 12th century. It was devastated in an earth quake and reconstructed thereafter. It was built in 1969 by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa as a replica of the Tsurphu monastery in the Kham region of Tibet. In 1960, Gyalwa Karma-pa, the 16th Guru of the Kagyu-pa sect (Black hat) left Tibet for Sikkim where he stayed till death (1981). He built Rumtek (1968) as a replica of Chhofuk Gumpha in Tibet on a piece of land donated by the Chogyal King. The Rumtek Dharmachakra center of Buddhist Art and Culture was built in 1960, houses the largest collection of monastic literature. Rumtek has many festivals throughout the year. Losar, among them, is important. The monastery is currently the largest in Sikkim. A Golden Stupa contains the relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.