Deden Tashi Choling Temple Project

Pema Köd is regarded as one of the most sacred places in the world, radiating Guru Rinpoche’s blessings, where any accumulation of merit is said to be multiplied many times over. This holy land is described by Ian Baker in his book, The Heart of the World. The new temple will be built in the southern part of the hidden land, located in the extreme northeast region of India, in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region untouched by the outside world. 

Togden Kunzang Longdrol Rinpoche, Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok’s previous incarnation, was one of the most venerated yogis in Southern Tibet who spent his entire life wandering from retreat land to retreat land. As political turmoil broke out in Tibet, he fled to this part of the hidden land where he spent the remainder of his life.  Due to his presence and a growing number of students this part of the sacred hidden land evolved into a retreat land. Togden Rinpoche built a small temple on this land "Deden Tashi Choling," in which he protected important sacred objects and relics from Tibet in statues and stupas enshrined in the temple. This temple has been a significant yogic gathering place ever since.

During his lifetime it was Togden Rinpoche’s aspiration to build a three-story temple in the style of Guru Rinpoche’s Pureland Palace, Zangdok Palri. Due to Togden Rinpoche’s advanced age, limited funds and natural resources, all he could accomplish was the creation of the Three Kaya statues--Amitabha, Chenrezig, and Padmasambhava--that were to be placed in each of the three stories of the temple to be built by his students in the future.

The Project

For the benefit of all beings, for the preservation of the spiritual legacy of this sacred land, and particularly for the fulfillment of Togden Rinpoche’s aspiration, it is Tulku Orgyen’s wish to undertake the tremendous task of constructing the three-story sanctuary that Togden Rinpoche envisioned.

When Tulku Orgyen visited PemaKöd in 2005, the architect, Khenpo Phunstok, suggested that the new temple structural support beams and pillars be constructed with concrete reinforced by iron rods. This construction method will best ensure the temple’s ability to withstand the wet summer season for years to come.

Restoration of Sacred Objects

Part of the temple project includes restoring six beautiful statues and two stupas, each containing many relics. These statues were constructed by Tulku Orgyen’s previous incarnation, Togden Rinpoche. The new temple will be built in the same location the original temple has occupied.

The Hardship

In this very primitive and remote land, there are no roads to provide easy transport of construction eqiupment or materials.  All materials must be transported to the land on people’s backs and everything must be crafted by hand. The temple construction will require wood, sand, gravel, cement, and iron rods.

Wood:  People from different villages have been milling thousands of feet of wood materials for the temple.  The wood that can best endure the wet summers and termites is found only in remote locations in the distant jungle. Once the particular design is crafted by hand, the wood is transported on people’s backs through the mountainous terrain to the temple site.

Sand:  Good quality sand is found only on the bank of a large river at the lowest point below the mountains. Village people and Indian laborers have struggled to gather hundreds of bags of sand and carry them on their backs through steep terrain to the temple site--a walk of approximately four hours. The same labor is required for the collection of gravel.

Iron rods:  Thousands of iron rods are needed for the pillars and beams of the temple. These will transported on people’s backs from the nearest town, Tuting, which is a full day’s walk from the temple site.  

Transport: Ten Indian people have been employed since March 2007 to transport iron rods, cement bags and other building materials on their backs to the temple site. Many materials must be purchased in Shalipatra and transported during a three-day journey over a rugged primitive road to the nearest town Tuting, Tuting is still a full days walk from the temple site. A round trip to Tuting takes a full day of walking each way with a one-day rest in between. This means that only small loads of iron rods or other materials can be transported to the temple site every four days.

Your Contribution Is Greatly Appreciated

Tulku Orgyen will leave for Pema Köd at the end of November 2007 and he will be there for two months to oversee the initial stages of construction of the new temple with his friends and students.  Undertaking the construction of this temple project will require an estimated $25,000.00 US funds. Tulku Orgyen is solely responsible for the completion of this project and sincerely needs your help.

In this remote area, construction materials from Shilapata are very expensive. Once purchased materials must be transported during a three-day journey over a rugged primitive road to the nearest town Tuting, with an additional one day journey to the temple site. These lengthy journeys require high wages for Indians porters. Substantial monetary offerings for all the devotees and villagers who have worked so hard are also needed.

Once completed, this project will bring great benefit for a new generation of Dharma practitioners, residents and
western visitors and practitioners who will have the good fortune to pilgrimage to this holy land.

Fulfilling this aspiration involves not only great physical hardship on the part of many local practitioners, village people and Indian laborers, but is also in great need of your generous financial support today.    

               
Please Contribute to the Pema Köd Temple & Sacred Objects Restoration Project
Finishing the new three-story temple and restoring several holy statues and stupas
are the most immediate concerns of the Pema Köd Project
spearheaded by Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok. 

Tax-Deductible Checks Payable To: “Pema Köd Project”