Traveling to Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute in Pokhara
Traveling to the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute
With all of the mountains, hiking, and bars in Pokhara, many overlook the fact that this tourist hub is home to many Buddhist monasteries. Being at the gateway to the remote region of Mustang, many Buddhist monks and nuns emerge from the mountainous expanses of the north to call Pokhara home several months out of the year.
Although not easily seen on the surface, Pokhara has many Buddhist monasteries (gumbas) tucked into its back alleys and hidden away on the outskirts of the city. One of the biggest monasteries in all of Pokhara is the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute.
Home to nearly 120 students, the sprawling campus and gorgeous grounds of this complex are located in Hemja, nearly 10 km outside of Pokhara. To get a bus to Hemja you will first have to take a van from Zero Kilometer Bus Stand to Harichok. From Harichok you can find a bus which will take you to the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute.
Looking for more Buddhist monasteries in Pokhara? Check out the Matepani Gumba!
A School For Monks in Training
Originally opened in Kathmandu, the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute relocated to the outskirts of Pokhara in 2002 in a Tibetan refugee camp. The school has since grown and became home to over 120 monks plus their teachers.
The monastery is a fully functional school which is audited by the Nepali government. Other than their regular classes, young monks also partake in daily religious ceremonies and Buddhist studies classes.
While many of the students who study at the Monastic Institute are from refugee or impoverished families, some of the monks attend the school due to their families devotion to the religion. Throughout the temple grounds, you will find monks young and old going about their days studying, cleaning, and playing.
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The Grounds of the Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute
There are slews of rooms located around the campus to accommodate not only the students, teachers, and visiting monks but also for those devotees seeking to expand their knowledge on Buddhism and self-awareness. The grounds also include a hotel where locals and foreigners can take classes along with the monks and partake in daily rituals.
In front of the monastery is a massive courtyard, adorned with various symbols and dharma wheels. The faded decorative markings add a splash of color to the otherwise grey concrete ground. There is also a basketball court where young monks can both exercise and play with other students when taking a break from their studies.
Want to travel to another famous Buddhist monastery in Nepal? Why not visit Namo Buddha?
Where Nature Meets The City
Much like the rest of Pokhara, Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute is located in a place where the city and nature blend seamlessly together. On a clear day, the mountain range of Annapurna can be seen towering above the stupas and golden spires of the monastery.
Even though the temple is located at the side of a dusty highway, this Buddhist gumba is surrounded by cascading waterfalls, rushing rivers, and dense jungles. The temple grounds itself has small patches of land dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the area and offering a place of solitude outside the hustle of the city.
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Inside the Grand Hall
The interior of the main temple of the monastery is much like any of the other grand halls you may have seen on your travels. Several times a day the monks of the school will emerge from their classrooms and dormitories to fill the seats which line the building. In view of the massive gleaming buddha, the students will recite mantras and pray in the ornate hall.
Some of the monks whose English is proficient enough may even give you a tour of the monastery. They will explain some of the myths which are incorporated into the murals and describe the ways to reach enlightenment through Buddhism. Unlike other religions, monks are not here to convert anyone. They would rather share how they believe happiness can be obtained in our lives. Many of the principals of Buddhism are universal truths which can be found in all religions.
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The Largest Buddhist Monastery in Pokhara
As one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Pokhara, Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute needs to make sure they have the facilities not only to educate their young monks but also to let the kids be kids.
While other gumbas around Pokhara have small football leagues and playgrounds onsite, this monastery on the outskirts of town even has its own swimming pool. After classes, monks can be seen throwing their satin robes to the side as they take a dive into the cool waters.
The Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute has received massive amounts of donations over the years. Many of which come from the United States and Europe. Even in the grand hall of the monastery, you can see the images of donators painted alongside lamas and other religious Buddhist leaders. This is how the temple is able to fund projects such as the swimming pool.
Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute is one of the most beautiful monasteries in all of Pokhara. The only thing that may give travelers a second thought about visiting the grand hall and monks of this temple is the distance away from Lakeside. If you are looking for a day trip outside of all the cliche sites of downtown Pokhara, then Pema Ts’al Sakya lays just a little ways off of the beaten track.
