Menri
Menri Monastery, established in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen, became the leading Bon monastery in Tibet and its abbot served as the spiritual leader of Bon. The monastery was renowned for its strict adherence to monastic rules and housed four colleges with hundreds of monks before its refounding in India in 1967. The Indian branch continues the geshe training program and serves as a vital center for the Bon tradition.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen.
- ›Became the leading Bon monastery in Tibet.
- ›The abbot of Menri is recognized as the spiritual leader of Bon.
- ›Had four colleges and between 400-500 monks in 1959.
- ›Refounded in India in 1967 and continues the geshe training program.
- ›Had 250 branch monasteries across Tibet and beyond before 1966.
Geshe Training Program, Four Colleges
YéRu Wensakha Monastery
Nyammé ShéRap Gyeltsen, Rinchen Gyeltsen, Sanggye Tendzin, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, LopöN Tenzin Namdak
- Establishment of Menri Monastery In 1405
- Destruction of YéRu Wensakha Monastery By Flood In 1386
- Refounding of Menri Monastery In India In 1967
About Menri
Menri Monastery
Menri Monastery is a significant Bon monastery, originally established in Tibet and later refounded in India. Its name, derived from "medicine mountain" in Tibetan, reflects the natural resources found on its original site.
History and Significance
The monastery was founded in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen, who hailed from Gyarong. This new establishment revitalized the Bon tradition, becoming the leading Bon monastery within the Tibetan cultural sphere. The abbot of Menri holds a recognized position as the spiritual leader for the entire Bon community. The monastery adhered to the Bru lineage of Bon and the Yéru Wensakha tradition, and was particularly noted for its rigorous enforcement of monastic discipline, which served as a model for other Bon institutions. Prior to 1966, Menri had 32 abbots overseeing its operations and maintained a vast network of 250 branch monasteries across various regions, including Tibet, India, China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and Mongolia.
Menri Monastery was structured with four distinct colleges: Lingmey, Lingto, Lingkey, and Lingzur. By 1959, these colleges together housed between 400 and 500 monks. The monastery was also dedicated to a full schedule of tantric rituals and practices, and in 1947, it established a debating college focused on the study of sutra, tantra, and Dzogchen.
Refounding in India
Following political upheavals in Tibet, Menri Monastery was refounded in 1967 at Dolanji, located in Himachal Pradesh, India. This revival was spearheaded by Lungtok Tenpai Nyima and Lopön Tenzin Namdak. The refounded monastery has successfully re-established the geshe training program, a rigorous course of study within the Bon tradition. Today, Menri Monastery in India, along with Triten Norbutse Monastery in Nepal, are the sole institutions offering the geshe program within the Bon lineage, ensuring the continuation of its scholarly and spiritual traditions.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Menri Monastery first established?
Menri Monastery was established in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen. This followed the destruction of an older monastery also named Menri, which was originally founded in 1072 as Yéru Wensakha Monastery and was destroyed by a flood in 1386.
Where is Menri Monastery located?
The original Menri Monastery was located on the slope of Mount Shari Phowa in Topgyel, Tsang, Tibet. After its destruction, it was refounded in 1967 at Dolanji in Himachal Pradesh, India.
What is the significance of Menri Monastery in the Bon tradition?
Menri Monastery became the leading Bon monastery in the Tibetan cultural region, and its abbot is recognized as the spiritual leader of Bon. It was known for its strict practice of monastic rules, setting a standard for other Bon monasteries.
How many monks were associated with Menri Monastery?
In 1959, Menri Monastery had between 400 and 500 monks spread across its four colleges. The refounded monastery in India is home to over two hundred monks.
Does Menri Monastery still operate today?
Yes, Menri Monastery was refounded in India in 1967 and continues to operate. It has recreated the geshe training program and is a significant center for the Bon tradition, alongside Triten Norbutse Monastery in Nepal.
Related Monasteries
Menri Monastery
Menri Monastery, meaning "medicine mountain," is a significant Bon monastery originally established in Tibet in 1405 by Nyammé Shérap Gyeltsen. It became the leading Bon monastery in the Tibetan cultural region and its abbot is considered the spiritual leader of Bon. Following its destruction, the monastery was refounded in India in 1967 and continues to preserve Bon traditions, including a geshe training program.
Thikse Monastery
Thiksey Monastery, also known as Thiksey Gompa, is a prominent Buddhist monastery of the Gelug school, situated atop a hill in Ladakh, India. Renowned for its striking resemblance to the Potala Palace of Lhasa, it is the largest monastery in central Ladakh. The twelve-storey complex houses a significant collection of Buddhist art and is notable for its separate facilities for female renunciates, reflecting recent organizational and building efforts.
Hemis
Hemis Monastery is a significant Himalayan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage, situated in Ladakh, India. Re-established in 1672 by King Sengge Namgyal, it is renowned for its annual Hemis festival, a major celebration honoring Padmasambhava. The monastery also holds historical interest due to claims by Nicolas Notovitch of discovering a manuscript about Jesus's life within its library, a claim widely disputed by historians.