About Us
Segyu Gaden Phodrang Monastery , Nepal
Segyu Gaden Phodrang Kathmandu branch, is an established Tibetan Buddhist Monastery with rich history of learned masters since its founding in 1432, Tibet. Since 1986, our Kathamandu branch has been established at Tinchuli, near Boudhanath. For those who are interested to find out more about a deeper meaning of life through the more profound Buddhist philosophy, or just curious to have a taste a little flavour of ancient Tibetan culture during one’s stay in beautiful Nepal, welcome to our humble abode.
May you have an enriching and memorable stay here.
Tashi Delek.
Our History
Today, Segyu Monastery stands as one of the most sacred and historically important Buddhist monasteries. Since its founding, it has faithfully upheld the unbroken lineage of Je Tsongkhapa, preserving his original teachings and pure tantric practices exactly as they were transmitted by the great masters. Known as the Segyu lineage, this rare and precious tradition is treasured for its clarity, purity, and complete integration of Sutra and Tantra.
As explained by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the essence of Je Tsongkhapa’s lineage is contained in the practice known as the Heart Jewel the union of the Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa and the practice of his Dharma Protector, Dorje Shugden. This special practice nourishes and protects the practitioner’s spiritual life, enabling the swift attainment of realizations. At Segyu Monastery, this spiritual lifeline is maintained with the same care and devotion as it was centuries ago in Tibet.
Over the years, the monastery has also served as a stronghold for profound Vajrayana teachings such as Guhyasamaja, Heruka, and Yamantaka. As it grew, Jestun Sherab Sengge traveled to central Tibet and founded the Lower Tantric College, making Segyu Gaden Phodrang the origin of both the Upper and Lower Tantric Colleges.
After the 1959 exodus from Tibet, only forty monks from the original Segyu Monastery successfully fled to Kalimpong, India, via Gangtok. They faced great hardship—some sent to labor on road construction by the newly formed Tibetan Government in Exile, while others stayed to perform religious rites for the local community.
In 1986, faithful sponsors in Nepal offered the monks a small piece of land. A few rooms and a modest prayer hall were built, forming a branch of the Kalimpong monastery. In 1997, political circumstances led to a decision to become fully independent—a path we have followed ever since. At that time, the facilities were meager, yet the monks’ resolve remained firm. The three principal Pratimoksha vows were upheld, and the unique summer retreat rituals of Segyu Monastery continued exactly as they had been performed in the original monastery in Tibet.
