Namdroling Monastery The Golden Temple

When His Holiness Padma Norbu Rinpoche founded Namdroling Monastery in 1963, there were only ten monks. Grad- ually, the number has increased to 9000 registered monks, over 3000 of whom are currently resident. These monks come not only from various parts of India, but also from other countries like Ti- bet, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia etc. For the purposes of listening, contemplation and med- itation, there are several divisions within the monastery: the Mo- nastic Junior High School, the Dratsang (where ritual arts are studied), the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute and the Retreat Centre. Including the Golden Temple (Padmasambhava Buddhist Vihara), there are sixteen different temples in the monastery. The monastery also contains one main and three branch libraries, four main and 15 other administration offices, Office of the Rigzod Editorial Committee, Nyingma Dictionary Editorial Committee, Palyul Dictionary Editorial Committee, Translation Group, Research Centre, Computer Section, dormitories and classrooms. There are over 1300 prayer wheels and seventeen stupas which function as supports for Dharma practice. At a distance of one kilometer from Namdroling Mon- astery is situated the Tsogyal Shedrub Dargyeling Nunnery. There are more than 1393 nuns registered, of whom more than 680 are currently resident. His Holiness Padma Norbu Rinpoche established the provision of food, clothing and accommodation to the resident monks and nuns, as well as all the facilities for Dharma practice.