Traveling To Pokhara’s Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Buddhist Monastery

The Tashiling Tibetan Refugee Camp

Ever since China consolidated power over the Tibetan Plateau, there has been a trickling of refugees settling in Nepal and India. Despite years of war and protests, the Peoples Republic of China has wrestled the Tibetan region into submission, leaving refugees to find a home abroad. Tibet has been incorporated into China since 1952. This means that many generations of Tibetans in Nepal know little of their homeland. And their camp has gradually transformed into a thriving community.

The Tashiling Camp in Pokhara is made up of many quaint rainbow-colored houses. With windows and doors wide open, it feels almost as if you were walking through someone’s yard rather than strolling down the street. Families sit on their stoop, watching their kids play out in front of their homes. With a cool breeze, the sound of prayer flags flapping overhead is all that can be heard other than the laughter of children.

Wanting to travel to more Buddhist monasteries in Pokhara? Check out the Pema Ts’al Sakya Gumba!

Bringing Buddhism Across The Border

Nepal is the birthplace of Buddhism. Born in Lumbini, Siddhartha changed the landscape of the world and helped create the Asia that we know today. Despite being home to some of the most precious sites in all of the Buddhist world, Tibetan refugees have brought many traditions and practices that have been lost over the years in Nepal. While many Nepalis worship Lord Buddha, they practice a form of Hinduism which blends the two religions.

As Tibetans made their way through the perilous Himalayan passes to find refuge in Nepal, they brought with them a more pure form of Buddhism. Many temples and monasteries relocated from the Tibetan Plateau and reestablished their schools in Nepal. Opening their doors to all ethnicities and castes, these monasteries exist as a place for Tibetans to get in touch with their roots and Nepalis to learn about a religion that is often overshadowed by Hindu traditions.

While in Pokhara you won’t want to miss the World Peace Pagoda. Read more on how to hike there here!

The Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Monastery

The refugees of the Tashiling Tibetan Camp is not only made up of families but also monks who fleed China to continue to practice their faith. Among the various stupas, prayer wheels, and colorful flags found throughout the camp, you will also find the Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Monastery. With its roots stretching back to the 16th century, this gumba (monastery) has a history of being associated with various Lamas and Tibetan kings in history.

During the flight of many Tibetans from China, this monastery also looked to relocate to Nepal. The process was slow, however. Although first attempted in 1973, it wasn’t until 1984 that the monks of Shree Gaden Dargay Ling Monastery finally broke ground on their current location in Pokhara. Although small and nowhere near as grand as some of the other temples throughout Nepal, the 28 monks who call this monastery home carry on traditions that stretch back hundreds of years.

The most famous monastery in Pokhara is the Matepani Gumba. You can read more about this temple here!

Exploring The Gumba

Since Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Monastery is quite small, you are bound to run into a handful of monks going about their day praying, playing, and just lounging around. This temple has many of the same things that you would find in any other Buddhist temple such as a massive prayer wheel, a few ornate statues, and a main hall.

When asked to view the main hall of the temple you may simply shrug your shoulders and say why not. Seen one monastery’s grand hall, you might as well have seen them all (with a few exceptions). But the second the monk pulls back the intricately carved wooden doors, be prepared for a shock.

As the entrance is thrown open, revealing the golden statues and cushions of the temple, you will see a man staring back at you from the throne. This lifelike cutout of the Dali Lama is sure to make unexpected visitors gasp at the sight of his peaceful smiling presence. While the rest of the monastery is quite simple, this jump scare alone is more than enough to make Shree Gaden Dhargay Line Monastery a trip to remember.

Namo Buddha is one of the most popular Buddhist monasteries in all of Nepal. You can read on how to hike there here!

Soccer Practice After School

In the eyes of many western and foreign travelers, the sight of a monk is on par with discovering a unicorn. Typically portrayed as spiritual hermits meditating on mountain tops, the myths quickly fall apart when you actually see monks living their lives much like the common folk. After attending their classes and prayers, many of the younger monks can be seen grabbing their footballs and heading to the nearby athletics field.

Seen jogging, running drills, and playing pickup games, the children from the nearby schools and the young monks can be found practicing and competing together. While one team is dressed in typical football jerseys, the monks still don their traditional satin and yellow robes.

Being well over fifty years since the first Tibetan refugees set up camp in Pokhara, Tashiling is now a permanent part of the city. Families and monks alike bring a further multi-cultural element to an already diverse people in Nepal. Although many of these refugees probably still long for their home back in Tibet, they have created a thriving community that will continue to teach locals and foreigners alike.