Choe Khor Sum Ling
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation & Study Centre, Bangalore
Helping all sentient beings free themselves from suffering by teaching meditation and philosophy as taught by the great masters of the ancient Nalanda University
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation & Study Centre, Bangalore
Helping all sentient beings free themselves from suffering by teaching meditation and philosophy as taught by the great masters of the ancient Nalanda University
CKSL Offers Virtual Teachings, Practices and Retreats
Our Centre is Closed due to the COVID-19 problem. We offer on-line courses instead until the centre opens again. Our curriculum is designed to give people a firm foundation in the basics of Buddhist meditation techniques, Buddhist philosophy and practices. We offer instruction and practical guidance on a rich variety of meditations including Vipassana (analytical), Samadhi (concentration) and Metta (loving kindness). The philosophy teachings are based on Nalanda Buddhist tradition, as expounded by the great Nalanda Pandits. Teachings at CKSL are mostly conducted on weekends
We have qualified teachers from the Sera Je Monastic University – Bylakupe, who lead these weekend teachings. In order to clarify the key points of practice on the spiritual path, our teachers give accessible explanation of the main philosophical texts, accompanied by lively discussions. We perform pujas and group prayer sessions that give people opportunities to collect positive merit- the source of all happiness and success. To give people a substantial experience of the profound insight and inner peace that is achieved through Buddhist meditations, we host intensive residential weekend retreats. We also organize teaching events by some of the greatest living Buddhist masters who embody the essence of Dharma.
Classes will usually be held on Saturdays 6 pm to 8 pm and Sundays 10 am to 1 pm. For recent updates you may check our website and Facebook page.
Special Events
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will teach at the request of the Indians on July 17, 18 and 19 from 8 am to 9:30 am on Acharya Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara. Links to attend live: https://dalailama.com/live Translation languages include English and Hindi.
CKSL has offered the following courses:
Choe Khor Sum Ling (CKSL) is a center for the study and practice of Buddhist meditation and philosophy as taught by the masters of ancient Nalanda University. We offer basic meditation instruction, weekly lectures on Buddhist philosophy and ancient Indian psychology, and the support of likeminded people from all walks of life interested in learning about the spirit of Buddhism.
All our programs are open to all and on a donation only basis. We have a quiet colorful temple which is open on the weekends for lectures and structured courses. The use of our well-stocked library of Dharma books for loan is open to all.
CKSL is affliated with FPMT – website: fpmt.org. If a centre is affiliated with FPMT, it means that the centre follows the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It means that the centre uses FPMT’s educational programs and material, created in the unique lineage of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Each FPMT centre is incorporated individually (is a separate legal entity) and is responsible for its own governance and finance. All FPMT centres follow the FPMT Ethical Policy.
CKSL was founded by local students, after His Holiness the Dalai Lama requested one of His most devoted disciples, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, to support a Buddhist centre. Since then FPMT registered teachers have been coming weekly to CKSL to teach and lead our spiritual program.
CKSL offered teachings on Buddhist philosophy and meditation at the Central Jail, Bangalore over a period of over five years. It led to greater self-confidence, regret and increase in compassion in many prisoners.
CKSL has an initiative to help animals. Members visit animal shelters and be with the animals, helping them with some food and old clothing.
CKSL has recently been generating awareness and studying about climate change. We plan to actually plant trees as a group to get us into “Engaged Buddhism”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Inspiration and Guide of the FPMT and Choe Khor Sum Ling
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. His Holiness was born on 6 July 1935 in Taktser village in northeastern Tibet to a peasant family. His Holiness was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation the 13th Dalai Lama and is an incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion. His Holiness began his monastic education at the age of six. At twenty three he passed his final examination with honours and was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, equivalent to a doctorate of Buddhist philosophy. His Holiness describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. In 1959, with the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising by the Chinese, His Holiness was forced to escape to India. Since then he has been living in Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan Government in exile.
His Holiness has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates and prizes in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion.
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Founder and Spiritual Director of the FPMT and Choe Khor Sum Ling
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born in 1946 in Thami, in the Mount Everest region of Nepal, not far from Lawudo cave where his predecessor had meditated for the last 20 years of his life. The Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 forced him to forsake Tibet for the safety of Bhutan. Rinpoche then went to the Tibetan refugee camp in West Bengal, India, where he met Lama Yeshe, who became his closest teacher. The Lamas went to Nepal in 1967, and over the next few years built Kopan and Lawudo Monasteries.
In 1971 Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave the first of his famous annual lam-rim retreat courses, which continue at Kopan to this day. When Lama Yeshe passed away in 1984, Lama Zopa Rinpoche became the spiritual head of the FPMT, which has continued to flourish under his peerless leadership. Rinpoche’s published teachings include Wisdom Energy (with Lama Yeshe), Transforming Problems, and a number of transcripts and practice booklets.
We have four regular teachers:
Geshe Tenzin Namdak was born in the Netherlands. After his graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hydrology, in 1994, on the advice of Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, he moved to Dharamsala, India to learn the Tibetan language. The following year, he received the Novice vows and in 1996, full ordination vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1997 he entered the Geshe (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy) study program at Sera Jey Monastery in South India. In April 2016, Venerable Namdak became the first Westerner to have completed the Geshe study program in Sera Jey Monastery. He is a regular teacher of Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre since 2003, its inception. He is currently also teaching at the London FPMT centre.
Venerable Tenzin Legtsok is currently in his fourteenth year of the Geshe Studies Program at Sera Jey Monastic University in South India. He has been ordained as a Buddhist monk since 2001. Born in Virginia, USA, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College in 1995. The question, “What makes for the most happy and meaningful life?” which compelled him to major in philosophy during college gradually led to his study of meditation and philosophy with teachers among the exiled Tibetan communities in India and Nepal from 1999 until the present. For the past many years he has tried to make basic Buddhist teachings accessible to various audiences in India and the US through lectures, essays, and meditation instruction including teaching regularly at CKSL since 2003, its inception.
Venerable Tenzin Namjong was born and raised in Hawaii, USA. He has studied and trained in Zen and Theravada traditions before embracing the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, mainly due to the kindness of his teachers, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. He holds a Bachelor degree in Philosophy from Princeton University. He received full ordaination vows in 2005 from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He has been studying the Geshe (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy) Study program at Sera Jey Monastery in South India since 2007. He is a registered teacher of the FPMT and regularly teaches at Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre in Bangalore since 2007.
Venerable Gyalten Rabten was born in Singapore. After graduating from the Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor of Accountancy degree in 1993, he became more involved with the study and practice of Buddhism with the Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore and served as their Executive Committee’s Treasurer and book-keeper for several years. He had worked for 10 years as auditor and accountant with several government and private companies, including as the Chief Financial Officer of FPMT. Venerable Rabten received the full monastic vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in July 2004. Since August 2005, he has been spending most of his time living and studying in Sera Jey Monastery in South India. Since 2008, upon the advice of his main teacher, Venerable Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, he has been leading prayers and teaching at Choe Khor Sum Ling.
CKSL is extremely fortunate to have many excellent teachers visit the centre to give Dharma talks such as the former Abbot of Gyurmed Tantric College, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek, Khangser Rinpoche, the former English translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Geshe Dorji Damdul, and the Abbot of Gyurmed, Geshe Wangdu.
Library
CKSL has a well-stocked library of books on Buddhism and other related topics. We have all the books by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and most of those by the standard authors in Tibetan Buddhism. Anyone can join the library for an annual amount of Rs. 750. Library members are allowed to borrow 2 books for 3 weeks each (can be renewed).
Recordings
Since the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent shutdown, we have had many new recordings and live sessions on the YouTube channel – choekhorsumling – to subscribe. These and other recordings are available for viewing. The recording of many of the other sessions in the centre are available on request – email cc@cksl.in
Choe Khor Sum Ling is very proud to have four precious resident teachers, Geshe Tenzin Namdak, Venerable Tenzin Legtsok, Venerable Tenzin Namjong and Venerable Gyalten Rabten.
CKSL is an affiliated centre of Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition – fpmt.org
Our sister centres in India and Nepal are:
All teachings at CKSL are made available on a strict donation-only basis; no one is turned away for lack of funds. Participants, however, are encouraged to contribute according to their means towards the cost of the venue, hosting the Venerable teachers, study materials, refreshments, other overheads for the regular weekend programs and other activities hosted by the center.
In order to benefit more and more people who need lasting peace and happiness, Choe Khor Sum Ling Centre on the advice of our spiritual director, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche is in the process of looking for our own land and building. Please consider contributing for our building project as well.
Donations Can Be Made Through:
1. Online Transfer to Our Bank Account
Name: Choe Khor Sum Ling
Account Number: 50100188794122
Type Of Account: Savings Account
IFSC CODE: HDFC0003882
Branch: Domlur Layout
Please send an email to info@cksl.in when you make the transfer.
2. Cheque Drawn in Favor of “Choe Khor Sum Ling”
The cheque can be mailed to:
Choe Khor Sum Ling,
No. 24, 1st floor,
3rd Main Street,
Domlur Layout 1st Stage,
Bangalore 560 071
3. Cash Donations at the Centre
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