Namdroling Monastery / Golden Temple, Bylakuppe

"Peace comes from within.  Do not seek without"

The first thing that comes to our mind when we hear the word Buddhism is "peace". Who hasn't studied in school the famous Buddha quote "The source of suffering is greediness" And how we brandished that one liner many a times at our elders' face when we were asked to score more marks. Then we just went by the translated word and none were wise enough to correct us. It is only much much later we realized "suffering" actually was referred to rebirth. One has to overcome desires to attain nirvana (ultimate liberalization). In Buddhism there is no concept of soul or heaven. How few words can be lost in translation!

This is our fourth time in this monastery. The peace we attain in this tranquil surrounding is utmost. We could sit here in silence and do nothing for hours. That is the level of magnetism this place has on us.

Info: Second largest Tibetan settlement in India after Dharamshala, Namdroling monastery is situated in Bylakuppe, 6 kilometers from Kushal Nagar Town in Kodagu district. In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama (spiritual leader of Tibet) fled to India, from where he lead a government in exile, annexed by Republic of China. Then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru offered rehabilitation to thousands of Tibetan refugees, which later became one of the prominent reasons for Indo-China war. Thus, Bylakuppe became the home to many Tibetan emigrants.

With just 300 rupees in his pocket and a few monks by his side, His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche reached Bylakuppe in less than no time after grand eviction from Tibet. Then Mysore Government (now Karnataka) in 1960 granted a sprawling land of 3,000 acres for settlement. Initially Namdroling monastery was built in 1970 as a three-storied main temple that covered an area of 80 square feet envisioned and executed by Rinpoche. His Holiness Dalai Lama, 14th sanctified and called the monastery Namdroling. Today the monastery is home to nearly 5000 monks and nuns. It is the largest teaching center of Palyul lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Hundreds of young Tibetans come here to study Buddhism. And travelers like us who just developed a connection with the place.

Padmasambhava Buddhist Vihara houses three main statues, Buddha, Padmasambhava, and Amitayus. Buddha Shakyamuni or the Buddha most of us know, was a prince born to King Shudhodana and Queen Mayadevi in Lumbini, 2500 or so years ago. Of the 1002 Buddhas who will come to this world during this fortunate era, he is considered the fourth. He leaves lavish lifestyle of palace and his family in search of finding a solution to end the misery of human beings. It is under Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya he attains enlightenment and becomes Goutama Buddha from prince Siddhartha. It is said for forty years he turned the "Three Great Wheels of Dharma" in order to free mankind from sufferings, to help them reach their full potential, and attain enlightenment. We were oblivious to this "Three Great Wheels of Dharma" as of now, but hopeful one day we will be. The statue of Lord Buddha is a staggering 60 feet tall. 

Another statue is of Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) born twelve years after the death of "The Buddha", on the lake Sindhu, in the land of Oddiyana (present day Afgan-Pakistan border). He was pioneer of Vajrayana Buddhism.  It is believed Guru Ronche taught various secret tantra techniques during his time, at the same time concealing many treasures for the benefit of future generations, hence contributing to past, present, and future of Tibetans. All Tibetans regard him to be very kind and worship him as the second Buddha. His statue is at a height of 58 feet.

Next is the statue of Buddha Amitayus or Bhuddha of long life. According to Buddhism, the lives of human beings become short and they die prematurely due to committing non-virtuous actions. It is a belief that if a person nearing the death touches letters of Buddha Amitayus's name, recite his name and mantra, and praise his qualities, their life span will be extended. Statue of Buddha Amitayus protects from evil and demonic harm, bringing longevity to the genuine worshiper. Again, this statue is of same height as Guru Rinpoche.

"All the statues are made of copper, plated with gold. Inside the statues are scriptures, clay mould stupas, relics of great beings, and small statues which symbolizes the body, mind, and speech of the Buddhas." The walls of temples are adorned with bright colourful paintings narrating Buddhist mythology. Brick red columns capped with gold plates atop are beautiful. The entire outer walls are embellished with vivid and vibrant coloured murals. The entire surrounding is a visual treat. 

We were fortunate enough to sit inside an adjacent monastery during a prayer time. What followed next was our first time experience. A group of monks recited their prayers in unison, also playing instruments in between. A replica of Palyul monastery in Tibet was inside the premises. Maybe it is a way of remembering their true home carrying a wish in their heart to return one day. Maybe.....

There are few shops in the complex that sells clothes, jewelry, shoes, souvenirs, and many things. And we bought a bright red coloured wall hanging for our home.

Route: Bangalore-Bidadi-Ramanagara-Channapatna-Madduru-Mandya-Srirangapatna-Hunsuru-Golden Temple

Namdroling Monastery Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM
Prayer: 1 PM
Entry: Free

Tips:
Maintain silence inside temple.
Respect monks

"As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are. Otherwise you will miss most of your life"