Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling Monastery in Nepal continues the tradition of the Tibetan Benchen monastery in Kham. It is situated in the vicinity of the renowned Svayambhu stupa in Kathmandu.
In the late 1970s, Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche and few monks moved into a small house. Through Rinpoche's remarkable kindness and activity, a large monastic complex was developed in that place over a dozen or so years. It comprises of the old and new shrine hall, monks' quarters, a large guesthouse, monastic primary school and the "Benchen Free Clinic".
The monastery also owns a large set of buildings in Parping, a village located an hour drive from Kathmandu. There is the three-year retreat centre Benchen Drubde Osal Ling, the institute for higher philosophical studies (shedra), Niguma retreat centre and a nunnery (currently under construction).
His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, one of the greatest masters of the Karma Kagyu School, is the head of Benchen Monastery. Venerable Third Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche lived in and looked over the monastery in Nepal for many years, until his passing in 2012.
