Triyana Vardhana Vihara
Kalimpong, India · 1957 – 1964
27.05800°N, 88.46450°E
Key Facts
- ◆ Sangharakshita's home from 1957 to 1964 — his longest stay in any Kalimpong residence.
- ◆ Four-room stone hermitage with guest accommodations in a six-room thatched cottage.
- ◆ Named Triyana Vardhana Vihara ('The Vihara Where the Three Yānas Flourish or Blossom') by Chattrul Rimpoche in a mood of high spiritual inspiration.
- ◆ During these years Sangharakshita received almost all his sadhanas from Tibetan teachers.
- ◆ He also made extensive teaching tours to the 'ex-Untouchables' — new Buddhists following Dr Ambedkar's death.
- ◆ Other monks came to live here for periods, including Khantipalo and Jivika.
- ◆ Established with the help of Marco Pallis, who provided substantial financial assistance.
The name was given by Chattrul Rimpoche who, having learned that Sangharakshita’s real aim was a permanent monastic centre dedicated to the total Buddhist tradition, spontaneously declared what it should be called and addressed to him the following Tibetan stanzas:
In the sky devoid of limits, the teaching of the Muni is The sun, spreading the thousand rays of the three śikṣās
[i.e. morality, meditation, and wisdom]
Continually shining in the radiance of the impartial disciples, May this Jambudvīpa region of the Triyāna be fair!
The Rimpoche’s prediction that the vihara would prosper quickly came true. Within six weeks, a letter arrived from Marco Pallis promising substantial assistance — the turning point in the project’s fortunes.
From the Triyana Vardhana Vihara, Sangharakshita received initiations, teachings and sadhanas from some of the greatest Tibetan masters of the era, while also travelling widely across India to teach the Dalit Buddhist converts following Dr Ambedkar’s conversion movement.
— In the Sign of the Golden Wheel
Source: In the Sign of the Golden Wheel
Other sites in Kalimpong
Contribute
Help keep this resource accurate and alive. You can leave a comment, suggest a correction, or submit a photo taken on your pilgrimage. All contributions are reviewed before publishing.
PUBLIC_WEB3FORMS_KEY in your environment variables.