Tsem Ladrang, Kathmandu was established in 2008 in a peaceful mountainous area in the north of Kathmandu. The Ladrang in Nepal serves as His Eminence’s residence when visiting Kathmandu, and is the base from which the Ladrang team conducts their operations in Nepal. It is also a place where His Eminence’s students can stay when visiting Kathmandu for pilgrimages, retreats, volunteering or just as a break from their daily routine.

A traditional audience room

Stunning 5ft Vajrayogini in the audience room

Nepal, a deeply spiritual place, has always been one of His Eminence’s favourite destinations. His Eminence regularly leads large groups of students on pilgrimage in Kathmandu and the founding of the Nepal ladrang is the first step in our plans to spread the Dharma and lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa in this wonderful country.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche's seat in the waiting room

Another view of the waiting room

One of the unique features of the Nepal Ladrang, is the butterlamp house, specially built towards the rear of the ladrang to accommodate over 1100 butterlamps. Light offerings are made daily to the Buddha Vajrayogini for the growth of the organisation. This holy facility allows not only Rinpoche to engage in Light Offering Retreats, but also gives everyone else a chance to do so as well.

Lighting butterlamps in the butterlamp house

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche dedicating the merits of the butterlamp offerings

It is Rinpoche’s wish that everyone can engage in this practice of light offerings, especially to make vast offerings to the Three Jewels. Rinpoche has explained on numerous occasions that butterlamp offerings hold the key in helping us to lift the darkness of ignorance and gain wisdom. By making these light offerings, we collect vast amounts of merit and create the karmic causes for us to receive and understand Dharma teachings more clearly and deeply. Ultimately, it helps us all in gaining true happiness that lasts throughout lifetimes.

The dining room

Butterlamp house workers having tea in the back garden

For more information on how you can participate in a butterlamp retreat, please contact Liaison Ooi Beng Kooi at beng.ooi@kechara.com.

We have since established Kechara Lounge in Boudhanath and are working towards the founding of a retreat center in Nepal.

Victory banners line the driveway of Tsem Ladrang Kathmandu

The butterlamp house!

Butterlamps are offered to Vajrayogini every night

While H.E. Tsem Rinpoche is in residence at the Nepal Ladrang, butterlamp offerings are a nightly affair

Butterlamps galore!

Kechara Media & Publications have an audience with Rinpoche in Kathmandu

The first audience for our Nepalese friends at Tsem Ladrang, Kathmandu