Origins and Historical Context: The Journey of Samtrul Rinpoche

The origins of Samdrup Dargeyling Monastery are deeply intertwined with the extraordinary journey of its founder, Samtrul Rinpoche, during one of the most tumultuous periods in Tibetan history. The early 1950s Cultural Revolution in Tibet, marked by the persecution of religious institutions and widespread social upheaval, forced Rinpoche and his family to seek refuge in Bhutan. Leaving behind their ancestral home, sacred temple, and belongings, the family arrived in the remote region of Kurtoe Singye Dzong in Bhutan in 1961. This sanctuary became a pivotal starting point for Rinpoche’s spiritual contributions. Over the years, their journey continued to Tangmachhu Karne Gompa, where Rinpoche was invited by the followers of Tokden Yeshi Nyingpo to teach meditation and other spiritual practices. For several years, Rinpoche devoted himself to imparting profound teachings to the local community in Kurilung. His guidance and wisdom laid the foundation for a legacy of spiritual enlightenment, which would culminate in the establishment of Samdrup Dargeyling Monastery—a beacon of Tibetan Buddhist traditions in Bhutan.