Kagyu Samyé Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre

Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre

Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre, located in Eskdalemuir, Scotland, is a prominent center for Tibetan Buddhism, affiliated with the Karma Kagyu school. Its origins trace back to 1965 with the formation of the Johnstone House Trust, which aimed to provide facilities for study and meditation based on Buddhist teachings. In 1967, the center was revitalized when Tibetan lamas Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Rinpoche were invited to lead the community, renaming it "Samye Ling" – a name signifying a place connected to Tibet's first monastic university.

History and Development

The early years saw significant developments, including the arrival of thangka master-artist Sherab Palden Beru and monk Samten. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's tenure was marked by controversy, leading to his departure for America in 1970 to establish other centers, thus ending his direct association with Samye Ling. For the decade following 1970, Akong Rinpoche, Samten, and Beru formed the core Tibetan residents. During this period, Samye Ling served as a principal hub for Tibetan Buddhism in Europe, hosting visits from esteemed teachers like Kalu Rinpoche and the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. The center has also been a place of personal exploration for individuals like musicians David Bowie and Leonard Cohen, who were students there.

Under the guidance of Akong Rinpoche and his brother Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, who serves as Abbot and Retreat Master, the center has continued to flourish. In 1995, the Johnstone House Trust was succeeded by the ROKPA Trust, which broadened the center's objectives to include promoting Buddhism, fostering inter-religious dialogue, providing education, and relieving poverty. The ROKPA Trust also manages other projects globally, including the Holy Island Project.

Tibetan Art and Cultural Preservation

Kagyu Samye Ling is recognized as a vital center for the preservation and practice of Tibetan art and crafts. Under Sherab Palden Beru, it has become a hub for the creation, repair, and restoration of thangkas in the Karma Gadri style, with many western practitioners trained in these specialized techniques adorning the temple walls with their work. The center also engages in traditional deity sculpture and the creation of prayer wheels, with notable examples found on its grounds.

Community and Recognition

Listed as a tourist attraction by VisitScotland, Kagyu Samye Ling draws visitors interested in its striking gilded temple, stupas, and gardens featuring statues of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. Despite initial challenges in relations with local residents, the center has cultivated cordial relationships with the surrounding community, with many original members now integrated into the local economy. Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche has noted the center's popularity, with the Scottish Tourist board once identifying it as the tenth-most-visited place in Scotland, suggesting a broad appeal for its spiritual teachings in the West.

The center has also embraced local culture, with Lama Yeshe Losal designing a Buddhist tartan in 2010 to express appreciation for Scotland's people, culture, and traditions. Plans are underway for a significant expansion of the Samye Ling temple project, which will include a museum, library, lecture theaters, offices, and accommodation.