Dechen Choekhor Monastery Constructions Update
Last updated on 1st August 2011

It has been closed to 11 years since Rinpoche first started this enormous task of rebuilding Dechen Choekhor Monastery way back in year 2000. Initially, we plan to hold the inauguration of the main temple in year 2009, and then it was rescheduled to year 2010 due to insufficient funding . . . and in view of the current construction progress; we have no other option but to further delay the inauguration to year 2013 . . .

Being one of the main Lineage Holder, Rinpoche holds great responsibility and always keep the noble aspiration to maintain and propagate the pure lineage practices of Drukpa Kagyu. Thus, He places great emphasis on ensuring the monks of Dechen Choekhor are properly trained according to the authentic sources and the unbroken tradition of Drukpa Kagyu, couple with some modern approaches where deems beneficial. Kagyu Lineages particularly Drukpa Kargyu is call the practice lineage, because it's well known for its direct and profound meditation pointing-out instruction, and retreat is the fundamental requirements for all its monks on top of the Sutra learning and contemplations. Considering the increasing in the number of monks and their age, Rinpoche's has now put his priority in completing "Thupten Dö Ngag Choeling - The Centre of Buddhadharma for Monk's Learning, Retreat and Accommodation" rather than chasing the deadline for inauguration of the main temple of Dechen Choekhor . . . Of course, the construction works will still be continued, but the progress will highly depend on the available funding.

As of 1st August 2011, the exterior structures of the main temple are considered done, except the top floor. However, for the inner structures, apart from the three giant Buddha's statues of the main shrine hall are close to completion, other sections of the monastery are way behind plan. There are other essential Buddha's statues that must be made as they are Dechen Choekhor main practices. The smaller temples in second and third floor such as The Three Root Temples, The Dharmapalas Temple, The Lineage Temple etc. are still under development and construction.

Despite with the limited funding, we are endeavoring to work toward the completion of the constructions of the main temple with the best possible materials without compromising even the slightest on the quality and the finishing of the monastery.

We are pleased to share with you latest photos on Dechen Choekhor Monastery construction progress as below.

1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor 1.jpg
The front view of the main temple of Dechen Choekhor Monastery. The top roof has just painted with gold paint. Traditionally the top roof are gilded with real gold powder, and thus called the 'Golden Roof'.
Dechen Choekhor3.jpg July2011_Dechen Choekhor3.jpg
Side view of the main temple Distant view of the main temple with the newly completed grand arcade entrance
1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor 4.jpg 1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor 5.jpg
Right distant view view of the main temple Right close-up view of the main temple 
Dechen Choekhor4.jpg 1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Main Door 4.jpg
Magneficient close-up view of the wooden crafts at the main entrance of the temple Magneficient close-up view of the golden dragon carved on the handle of the main door
1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Main Door 1.jpg
Magneficient wooden crafts and painting of the main entrance of Dechen Choekhor 
1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Main Door 2.jpg
Magneficient wooden crafts and painting of the main entrance of Dechen Choekhor
Dechen Choekhor_3in1.jpg
The 3 main Giant Statues of Dechen Choekhor: 21fts Guru Rinpoche Giant Statue; 31fts Buddha Sakyamuni Giant Statue; 21fts Green Tara Giant Statue
Dechen Choekhor Guru Rinpoche.jpg 1 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Buddha 1.jpg Dechen Choekhor Tara.jpg
Close-up view of Guru Rinpoche statue Close-up view of Buddha Sakyamuni statue with the newly installed diamond at His forehead  Close-up view of Green Tara statue
10 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Buddha 1a.jpg
Full view of Buddha Sakyamuni statue; to His right is Manjushri Bodhisattva and left is Vajrapani Bodhisattva
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Top left view of the giant Buddha Sakyamuni statue Right view of the giant Buddha Sakyamuni statue
10 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Guru Rinpoche 1a.jpg
Lower front view of the giant Guru Rinpoche
Dechen Choekhor_GR2.jpg Dechen Choekhor_GR1.jpg
Top front view of the giant Guru Rinpoche statue Right view of the giant Guru Rinpoche statue
10 Jun_Dechen Choekhor_Green Tara 1a.jpg
Lower front view of the giant Green Tara
Dechen Choekhor_GT2.jpg Dechen Choekhor_GT1.jpg
Full front view of the giant Green Tara statue Top front view of the giant Green Tara statue
Dechen Choekhor_GT3.jpg Dechen Choekhor_GT5.jpg
Full left view of the giant Green Tara statue Close-up front view of the giant Green Tara statue
Other Small Projects Surround the Main Temple
Dechen Choekhor Jangchub Choeten-Bodhi Stupa 2.jpg
Dechen Choekhor Jangchub Choeten-Bodhi Stupa3R.jpg
Dechen Choekhor Jangchub Choeten Bodhi Stupa
This stupa was sponsored by Lama Gyurmey's relative in the memory of his late auntie. The stupa construction completed in mid 2010.
July2011_Dechen Choekhor4.jpg
The newly completed grand arcade entrance of Dechen Choekhor Monastery
Tree Planting Project by Dechen Choekhor's Monks 
Dechen Choekhor Tree Planting 1.jpg
Monks of Dechen Choekhor Monastery are happily getting ready to perform their tree planting task
Dechen Choekhor Tree Planting 2.jpg Dechen Choekhor Tree Planting 3.jpg
Strong little monk carrying a huge pack of pine tree Khenpo showing off his strength . . . :-)
Dechen Choekhor Tree Planting 4.jpg Dechen Choekhor Tree Planting 5.jpg
Somang Rinpoche digging the ground to plant the little pine tree Monks giving a finish touch to the newly planted pine tree
Dechen Choekhor_Planting glass2.jpg Dechen Choekhor_Planting glass.jpg
Dechen Choekhor's workers are planting grasses at the huge field infront of the main temple Dechen Choekhor's workers are planting grasses at the huge field infront of the main temple
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