Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling Monastery

In the mid 70ties H.H. 16th Karmapa said to Tenga Rinpoche that it would be beneficial to have a place where the Kalachakra practice could be performed within the vicinity of Swayambunath.
In 1975, due to heath problems, Tenga Rinpoche was adviced to go to Darjeeling and Kathmandu, Nepal for medical treatment.
In 1976 during a conversation with H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyentse Rinpoche said that it would be very beneficial to have a monastery for both H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Tenga Rinpoche.
Later in 1977 Tenga Rinpoche managed to buy a small piece of land with a small house on it from a rana family. There he did his one year Tara retreat.
Then in 1980 , as a start, Tenga Rinpoche enlarged the building. At that time Rinpoche had already a few young monks.

January 16th, 1987 the foundation stone for Benchen Monastery was laid. During the construction all the four Kagyü Lineage Holders as well as H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche had blessed the land as well as the construction of the monastery. In the same year at the advice of H.H. Dalai Lama the oral transmission of the Tengyur took place.

The construction was completed in the early 90ties. At the request of devotees, Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche gave the transmission of the whole Kangyur. During this transmission several thousand people were present.

In spring 1996 Chokling Rinpoche gave the full transmission of the Chokling Tersar.

Benchen Phüntsok Dargyeling is considered as one of the main Kaggyü monasteries in Nepal. It is under the guidance of Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche (who is one of the Mahamudra lineage holders) and Tenga Rinpoche.

Each month a one week extensive practice (drubchö) along with the construction of the respective sand mandala is performed, such as Kalachakra, Vajra Yogini, Chakrasamvara, Gyalwa Gyamtso, Guru Rinpoche including the lama dances of the 8 aspects of Guru Rinpoche, Tashi Tseringma the protector of Milarepa, 2 Armed Mahakala along with the lama dances etc.
At present the monastery houses 177 monks. All of the monks receive basic education and from both Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche as well as Tenga Rinpoche, instructions in Dharma, meditaion and ritual. Furthermore the monastery operatess a Free Clinic that provides free medical/dental treatment for all out-patients.