Menri Monastery
Menri Monastery is a significant Bon monastery, originally established in Tibet in 1405 and refounded in India in 1967. It served as the leading Bon monastery in Tibet, with its abbot recognized as the spiritual leader of the Bon tradition. The monastery played a crucial role in preserving and practicing Yungdrung Bon, setting standards for monastic rules and offering extensive training.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen in Tsang, Tibet.
- ›The original Menri Monastery was established in 1072 as Yéru Wensakha Monastery and was destroyed by a flood in 1386.
- ›It was known for its strict practice of monastic rules and served as the leading Bon monastery in Tibet.
- ›Menri Monastery had four colleges and 250 branch monasteries across Tibet and beyond.
- ›The monastery was refounded in 1967 at Dolanji, Himachal Pradesh, India, by Lungtok Tenpai Nyima and Lopön Tenzin Namdak.
- ›The refounded monastery in India continues to offer a geshe training program for monks.
Important Relationships
- Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen
- Lungtok Tenpai Nyima
- Lopön Tenzin Namdak
- Four Colleges: Lingmey, Lingto, Lingkey, and Lingzur
- Geshe Training Program
- Founding of the New Menri Monastery In 1405.
- Destruction of the Earlier YéRu Wensakha Monastery By Flood In 1386.
- Refounding of Menri Monastery In India In 1967.
About Menri Monastery
Menri Monastery, whose name translates from Tibetan as "medicine mountain," is a historically significant Bon monastery. It was originally established in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen in the Tsang region of Tibet. This new foundation followed the destruction of an earlier monastery at the same location, Yéru Wensakha Monastery, by a flood in 1386. The initial Yéru Wensakha Monastery itself had been founded in 1072.
Menri became the foremost Bon monastery within the Tibetan cultural area. Its abbot held the esteemed position of the spiritual leader for the entire Bon tradition. The monastery was renowned for its adherence to strict monastic rules, which served as a benchmark for other Bon monasteries. It also practiced Yungdrung Bon and was equipped with four distinct colleges: Lingmey, Lingto, Lingkey, and Lingzur. Prior to 1966, Menri extended its influence through 250 branch monasteries located across Tibet, as well as in various countries including India, China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and Mongolia.
Following political upheavals in Tibet, Menri Monastery was re-established in India in 1967. This refounding occurred at Dolanji in Himachal Pradesh, led by Lungtok Tenpai Nyima and Lopön Tenzin Namdak. The contemporary Menri Monastery in India continues the tradition of rigorous Bon scholarship by maintaining a geshe training program, making it one of the only two such programs in the Bon lineage alongside Triten Norbutse Monastery in Nepal.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Menri Monastery first founded?
The new Menri Monastery was established in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen. An earlier monastery at the same site, Yéru Wensakha Monastery, was founded in 1072.
What is the significance of Menri Monastery?
Menri Monastery was the leading Bon monastery in Tibet, and its abbot is recognized as the spiritual leader of the Bon tradition. It was known for its strict monastic rules and comprehensive practice of Yungdrung Bon.
Where is Menri Monastery located now?
Menri Monastery was refounded in 1967 at Dolanji in Himachal Pradesh, India, by Lungtok Tenpai Nyima and Lopön Tenzin Namdak.
What kind of training is offered at Menri Monastery in India?
The refounded Menri Monastery in India has recreated the geshe training program, which is a rigorous curriculum of study for monks within the Bon tradition.
How many branch monasteries did Menri Monastery have?
Before 1966, Menri Monastery had 250 branch monasteries spread across various regions of Tibet, as well as in India, China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and Mongolia.
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