The Great Kyegu Monastery – A Timeless Seat of Dharma


Sacred Origins

The origins of The Great Kyegu Monastery date back to the 13th century, when it was first blessed in 1265 by the revered Dharma King Choegyal Phagpa, one of the five foremost founders of the Sakya tradition. His historic visit to Kyegu town sanctified the land and laid the spiritual foundation for centuries to come.

A History of Blessings and Growth

In the 15th century, Gyagarwa Sherab Gyaltsen (1436–1494), the 19th Throne holder of the Sakya Hierarchy, visited the monastery, offered his blessings, and bestowed upon it the name "Dhondup Ling".

Further Dharmic revitalisation came in the 18th century with the arrival of Khenchen Paldhen Choekyong (1702–1769), the 34th Abbot of the Ngor School, a prominent sub-sect of the Sakya Order. During his visit, he turned the Wheel of Dharma, and under his guidance, many of the monastery’s grand structures were constructed—among them the Samdrup Gyatso (Main Shrine Hall), Maitreya Hall, Immortal Hall, and the Lecturing Courtyard.

A Flourishing Monastic Centre

Before the Chinese invasion over six decades ago, Ga Kyegu Monastery was home to over 2,000 monks. It featured a vibrant Shedra (monastic college) where hundreds of monks studied advanced Buddhist philosophy, logic, and mind training arts.

The monastery produced numerous great scholars and practitioners, including Lama Thinley Choephel, Lama Ngaga, Lama Riho, and Tsejam, all of whom upheld the profound teachings and practices of the Vajrayāna path.

A Legacy of Preservation

Kyegu Monastery became renowned across Tibet for its precise and authentic preservation of the Buddha’s teachings. It was, and continues to be, regarded as the leading monastery of the Sakya tradition in all of Tibet, particularly in Ga (Gapa/Gawa) region, a historic region in Kham Province, North Eastern Tibet.

Revival and Continuity Today

Despite the devastation of the mid-20th century, the monastery has been partially rebuilt and today houses approximately 600 monks in Tibet. The Shedra has resumed its role as a major learning institution—now one of the largest and most respected Buddhist colleges in Eastern Tibet. The Drub-dra (Retreat House) is also thriving, supporting monastic meditation and long-term retreats.

Just outside the town, in the scenic region of Pathang, the Kyegu Nunnery has become a vibrant center for women in the Dharma. Hundreds of nuns engage in traditional studies, philosophy, ritual practice, and retreats, continuing the spiritual legacy of Kyegu for future generations.



Kyegu Monastery – Kamrao, India


A Legacy Reborn in Exile

Nestled in the serene Himalayan foothills of Kamrao—a remote mountainous village approximately 9 hours north of New Delhi—Kyegu Monastery in India was established in 1965 by Tibetan refugees who fled their homeland and the original Kyegu Monastery in Tibet during the Chinese invasion of 1959.

Founded on Devotion and Resilience

With the heartfelt support of countless Buddhist devotees, and under the blessings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trichen, the monastery was founded in exile through the unwavering dedication of elder monks from Tibet. Its establishment was further guided by Phende Khen Rinpoche and the great Ngorchen Tenpai Nyima (1931-2022), widely known as His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, the revered 75th head of the Ngor (Ngorpa) tradition of the Sakya school.

Despite the initial challenges—harsh climatic conditions, language barriers, and limited resources—the monks remained steadfast in their journey. Kamrao Kyegu Monastery became a sanctuary for the revival of the sacred Ga Kyegu monastic tradition, ensuring the preservation and continuation of the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism for future generations.

A Global Spiritual Community

Over the years, the monastery has welcomed Dharma students from around the world. Western and Singaporean practitioners in particular have developed a deep bond with Kyegu Monastery. Many have come to:

  • Engage in retreats and teachings under the guidance of His Eminence Aenpo Kyabgon

  • Offer English language education to young monks

  • Provide healthcare and humanitarian support

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Singaporean supporters, new monks' quarters were completed in the year 2000, strengthening the monastery's foundation and enabling it to support a growing monastic community.

Continuing the Dharma for All Beings

Today, Kyegu Monastery in Kamrao stands as a beacon of compassion, wisdom, and resilience—a vibrant centre of traditional learning, spiritual practice, and global friendship. It remains dedicated to spreading the precious teachings of the Buddha through the Sakya tradition, with the aspiration to benefit all sentient beings.