The Riwoche monks and nuns have fled Tibet and gone into exile in hope of finding the opportunity to study and practice dharma in freedom.

Because of the severe restrictions put on the Riwoche monastic community in Tibet by the Chinese government, its monks began to leave Tibet. As there was no Riwoche Monastery for them to go to in Nepal or India, they scattered to various Buddhist monasteries in India to attend shedra, or monastic college. The Venerable Khenpo Sonam Rinpoche created a sponsorship program to support them in their studies, making it possible for them to keep their monastic aspirations.

HH Phakchok Rinpoche, the incarnation of the Riwoche Taklung Kargyu Tibetan Buddhist lineage is now an adult, and has prepared a monastic centre in Nepal for the Riwoche monks. Soon he plans to have his first group of monks, when they have graduated as khenpos, to become the teachers of the younger monks that arrive from Tibet. The wisdom teachings of the Taklung Kargyu lineage will then be preserved.

The recently completed monastic centre
in Nepal for Riwoche monks.

The Riwoche nuns have been leaving Tibet over a longer period of time. Some are elderly and others are young nuns wishing to do retreat.

The sponsorship request for one year is $400 Canadian, or $300 U.S. With the recent completion of HH Phakchok Rinpoche's monastic centre in Nepal, general donations for the maintenance of the centre are also welcome.

Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Michele Kuhlmann at pema@riwoche.com.