Tromo, Tibet

Dungkar Monastery, founded by the highly revered Lama Dromo Geshe Rinpoche is located on top of a mountain in Upper Tromo, Tibet. It was the first Gelug monastery of that area after it was entrusted to Dromo Geshe Rinpoche in 1901. Eventually, smaller monasteries also came under Dungkar Monastery's administration within Tibet and across the border in India.

Dungkar Monastery was famous throughout Tibet for being the seat of the famous oracle of Dorje Shugden.  Numerous pilgrims would come to seek advice and blessings from Dorje Shugden via the oracle here. In fact, even Lama Zopa Rinpoche was first recognized by this oracle and received his ordination vows in this monastery.

During the 1950s, Dungkar Monastery hosted H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and his entourage twice for extended periods of time. Since this monastery lies between India and Tibet, it used to be the stopping place for many Tibetan and foreign dignitaries on their way to and from Lhasa.

Dungkar Monastery and the other monasteries under Dromo Geshe Rinpoche’s care were also renowned for their strict monastic discipline, ardent study and especially for their traditional Cham dances. These monasteries became excellent repositories of Tibetan Buddhist culture after the fall of Tibet.