Buddhist Centres & Monasteries

A Karma Kagyu monastery near the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.

The Bodh Gaya branch of Shechen Monastery, a major Nyingma centre associated with Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

The Bodh Gaya monastery of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and the Tergar organisation. Hosts major annual Kagyu Monlam and Mingyur Rinpoche teachings.

The Golden Temple of Namdroling — the largest Nyingma (Palyul) monastery in exile. The three golden temples are among the most spectacular Buddhist buildings outside Tibet.

A Sakya tradition monastery and dharma centre at Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

One of the two colleges of Sera Monastery — one of the three great Gelug monasteries — re-established in exile at Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

The second college of Sera Monastery in exile at Bylakuppe, Karnataka. Known for its rigorous dialectical debate training.

The exile seat of the Panchen Lamas, re-established at Bylakuppe. The original Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet was founded by the First Dalai Lama.

The exile seat of Mindrolling, one of the six principal Nyingma monasteries. The main stupa (Mahaparinirvana Stupa) is 185 feet high and among the tallest stupas in the world.

A Sakya tradition dharma centre in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

The Gyuto Tantric College in exile, famous for its unique multiphonic chanting tradition. One of the two great tantric colleges of the Gelug tradition.

The personal monastery of H.H. the Dalai Lama, located within the Tsuglagkhang complex in McLeod Ganj. Open to visitors during teachings.

Home of the Nechung Oracle, the state oracle of Tibet. The monastery houses the protector deity Pehar and is an important site for the Tibetan government in exile.

A Kagyu monastery at the Rabgyeling Tibetan settlement in Hunsur, Karnataka.

A Kagyu monastery near Swayambhunath, Kathmandu. Seat of Tenga Rinpoche and Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche.

The seat of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. One of the most vibrant practice centres near Boudhanath, offering regular teachings for both monastics and laypeople.

Founded by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1969. One of the most welcoming monasteries for Western practitioners, offering famous month-long courses in Tibetan Buddhism.

The seat of Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, a principal holder of the Kagyu and Rimé lineages. Known for its annual three-year retreat programme.

The principal seat of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, the main repository of the Nyingma Shechen lineage. The monastery houses an extraordinary library of Tibetan texts.

The principal Bon monastery in Nepal, located on Swayambhu hill. Seat of Menri Trizin, the head of the Bon tradition. Bon is the pre-Buddhist indigenous spiritual tradition of Tibet.

The seat of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche at Namo Buddha, one of the most sacred Kagyu pilgrimage sites in Nepal. Overlooks the valley where the Buddha Mahasattva fed his body to a tigress.

A Nyingma (Palyul) monastery at the Dhondenling settlement, Karnataka.

A Sakya tradition monastery at the Dhondenling Tibetan settlement in Kollegal, Karnataka.

The oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh. The 32m Maitreya statue overlooking the valley is one of Ladakh's most iconic sights.

The largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, belonging to the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. Famous for the annual Hemis Festival (Tsechu).

A Gelug monastery near Leh airport, perched on a hill above the Indus. Known for its annual Gustor festival featuring masked dances.

A large Gelug monastery near Leh, Ladakh, resembling the Potala Palace in miniature. Home to around 60 monks.

The second college of Drepung Monastery, re-established in exile. Home to Geshe Sopa and many eminent Gelug scholars.

The larger of the two colleges of Drepung Monastery — once the largest monastery in the world with over 10,000 monks.

One of the two colleges of Ganden Monastery, the root monastery of the Gelug tradition, re-established in exile at Mundgod.

The second college of Ganden Monastery in exile. Together with Jangtse it forms the complete Ganden monastic university.

A Gelug monastic college at the Doeguling settlement in Mundgod.

A Gelug monastery at Mundgod, Karnataka.

A Gelug monastery at Mundgod established in 2008.

A Gelug monastery at the Tibetan settlement near Pokhara, Nepal.

A Sakya tradition monastery near Pokhara, Nepal.