The Interior of Deden Tashi Choeling Temple

The statues and paintings on the wall in the three story temple represent Guru Padmasambhava's pure land, the Copper Color Mountain, and the three kayas:

On the first floor will be a statue of Guru Padmasambhava, representing the Nirmanakaya realm.

On the second floor will be a statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), representing the Sambhogakaya realm.

On the third floor will be a statue of Amitabha, representing the Dharmakaya realm.

The main three statues -- as well as statues of Dorje Drolo, Senge Dradrok, and Senge Dongma -- were all built by Tulku Orgyen P’huntsok's previous incarnation, Togden Sithar (or Kunzang Longdrol Rinpoche). These statues were filled with some of the most sacred articles from different parts of Tibet (and particularly from upper Pemakod), and were consecrated by or in the presence of many highly realized masters who were contemporaries of Togden Sithar, such as Phulung Sange Rinpoche, Terton Chhoje Lingpa, etc. These masters intended that the statues be placed in each floor of a three-story Zangdokpalri-style temple in Pemakod, such as the Deden Tashi Choeling Temple that Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok is now constructing in Yoldong.

With your generous support, we are now collectively helping fulfill the precious Dharma aspirations of many highly realized beings. The statues (especially the three main ones) will be the principal focus of prayers and intentions in each of the three levels of the Temple. Tulku believes that some additional statues and thangka paintings on the walls of each story would be consistent with the wishes of his previous incarnation and these other masters whose intentions and aspirations are now giving rise to Deden Tashi Choeling Temple, and so we will commission such additional statues and thangkas to place in the Temple interior, as an object of offering, prayers, and source of infinite blessings. For the benefit of all beings!

The First Floor of the Temple: Nirmanakaya Mandala

On the first floor of the temple, we will create the Nirmanakaya Mandala. In the center of the Mandala will be the antique, restored and consecrated statue of Guru Padmasambhava. Surrounding Guru Padmasambhava will be as follows:

To the Left of the Central Statue of Guru Padmasambhava will be: (1) small Statue of Mandarava; (2) small Reliquary Stupa containing remains and relics of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche’s mother; (3) Buddha Shakyamuni Statue; (4) Senge Dongma (Lion-headed Dakini) Statue; and (5) Shelves filled with Kagyur (Buddha's Teachings) and Ngagyur Kama (Teachings of the Long Lineage in the Nyingma tradition).

To the Right of the Central Statue of Guru Padmasambhava will be: (1) small Statue of Yeshe Tsogyal; (2) small Reliquary Stupa, containing the remains and relics of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's root teacher; (3) Statue of Dorje Drolo; (4) Statue of Senge Dradrok; and (5) Shelves filled with Tenjur (Commentaries on Buddha's teachings by Indian Panditas) and Terzod (Collection of Treasure Teachings)

On the wall to the Right of the Mandala will be paintings and/or thangkas of: (1) The Eight Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, the Eight Vidyadharas of India, and the Twenty-Five Disciples of Guru Padmasambhava from Tibet; (2) The Aural Lineage of the masters -- Dudjom Lingpa to Togden Sithar; and (3) The Three Vidyadharas of Pemakod.

On the wall to the Left of the Mandala will be paintings and/or thangkas of: (1) The Sixteen Arhats of Buddha Shakyamuni; (2) The Eighty-Four Mahasiddhas of India; and (3) The Six Ornaments and the Two Excellents of Indian Mahapanditas.

On the Right Inner Entrance Wall will be: (1) Both concise and extensive aspiration prayers for rebirth in Zangdokpalri ("Palri Monlam) by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche; and (2) The Wheel of Life.

On the Left Inner Entrance Wall will be: (1) The three protectors of the Nyingma Lineage (Mazadam Sum); (2) The three protectors of Pemakod (Lha, Dud, and Tsan Sum); and (3)The main protector of the Dudjom lineage (Shanpa) and the main land protector of Pemakod (Apho).

The Second Floor of the Temple: Sambhogakaya Mandala

On the Second Floor of the Temple, we will create the Sambhogakaya Mandala. In the center of the Mandala will be the antique, restored and consecrated statue of Avalokitesvara (Chenrezig). Surrounding Avalokitesvara will be as follows:

To the Left of the Central Statue of Avalokitesvara will be a statue of Green Tara.

To the Right of the Central Statue of Avalokitesvara will be a statue of Amitayus.

On the wall to the Right of the Mandala will be: (1) the symbolic lineage of awareness holders, from Vidyadhara Garab Dorje to Guru Padmasambhava; and (2) the Eight Bodhisattvas.

On the wall to the Left of the Mandala will be the Eight Offering Goddesses.

On the Right and Left Inner Entrance Walls will be shelves and/or cases to display antique sacred objects from Eastern Pemakod in a manner which will help preserve such precious items.

The Third Floor of the Temple: Dharmakaya Mandala

On the Third Floor of the Temple, we will create the Dharmakaya Mandala. In the center of the Mandala will be the antique, restored and consecrated statue of Amitabha. Surrounding Amitabha will be as follows:

To the Left of the Central Statue of Amitabha will be a statue of Vidyadhara Dorje Chang.

To the Right of the Central Statue of Amitabha will be a statue of Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva).

On the wall to the Right of the Mandala will be Samantabhadra and representations of the Five Buddha Families.

On the wall to the Left of the Mandala will be the Intentional Lineage of Conquerors: The twelve Great Teachers of Dzogchen.

On the Right and Left Inner Entrance Walls will be shelves and/or cases to display sacred objects belonging to the Pemakod Lineage Masters, in a manner which will help preserve such precious items.

How You Can Help

While we have some of the statues, we will still need help with other statues and thangkas for each of the floors:

For the First Floor -- we will need the Shakyamuni Buddha Statue, the small Statues of Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal, and the wall paintings identified above.

For the Second Floor -- we will need Statues of Green Tara and Amitayus, and the wall paintings identified above. We will also need special display cases for the precious antique items to be displayed in a manner that will help preserve and protect them from the elements.

For the Third Floor -- we will need Statues of Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva) and Vidyadhara Dorje Chang, and the wall paintings identified above.

We will also need special display cases for the precious antique items to be displayed in a manner that will help preserve and protect them from the elements.

The statues will be purchased in Nepal with the assistance of Lama Orgyen Gonpo. All of the paintings/thangkas will be done in Bhutan, of excellent quality painting and fabric both. All statues and paintings/thangkas must be completed by early 2011, so they may be transported to Yoldong and installed in the Temple prior to the consecration at the end of 2011. If you are interested in sponsoring (in whole or in part) a specific statue or thangka for the interior of the Temple, please contact Kathleen at dakiniheart@gmail.com for more information.

Use this button to donate to the Temple Interior in general:

May all beings benefit!