Mindrolling Branch Centres

Samten Tse Retreat Centre — Mussoorie, India

View of Samten Tse Retreat Centre

Photo Credit: View of Samten Tse
©2009 Mindrolling International

Samten Tse Retreat Centre was established by Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche in the year 1993 as a branch of Mindrolling for nuns and retreatants from all over the world. Samten Tse is situated in Mussoorie in the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas and is headed by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. About 50 nuns from India, Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal study and practice the Dharma at Samten Tse. Nuns are taught recitation calligraphy, grammar, philosophy, rituals, playing ritual instruments and English. Nuns also undertake retreats of various lengths. Practitioners from Europe Canada and the USA also visit Samten Tse in order to study the Dharma and do intensive retreats.

The Retreat Centre is now completing a third and final phase of construction which has included housing for western women retreatants and a temple. Rinpoche’s efforts at Samten Tse are directed towards fulfilling her vision of providing a place of study and retreat for both nuns and lay practitioners as well as establishing a spiritual community of both monastics and lay practitioners with students from both East and West living together. Samten Tse is administered by its executive board and is registered as the Samten Tse Charitable Society.

Nuns cleaning and arranging the main shrine of Samten Tse Retreat Centre

Photo Credit:  Nuns cleaning and arranging the main shrine of Samten Tse Retreat Centre
©2009 Mindrolling International

Nuns tending the main shrine of Samten Tse Retreat Centre and stitching and in the tailoring room

Photo Credit: Nuns tending the main shrine of Samten Tse Retreat Centre (left); Nuns in the tailoring room (right) ©2009 Mindrolling International

Padmasambhava, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Terdag Lingpa statues in the main shrineroom of Samten Tse

Photo Credit: (From left to right) Padmasambhava, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Terdag Lingpa statues in the main shrineroom of Samten Tse ©2009 Mindrolling International

Nuns making torma and preparing the shrine mandala for the 10th day Guru Rinpoche feast practice

Photo Credit: Nuns making torma and preparing for the 10th day Guru Rinpoche feast practice (left); Nuns arranging the shrine mandala for the next day's feast practice (right) ©2009 Mindrolling International

The nuns during their daily instrument and ritual class

Photo Credit: The nuns during their daily instrument and ritual class
©2009 Mindrolling International

Nuns during their daily instrument and ritual class and during their study period

Photo Credit: Nuns during their daily instrument and ritual class (left); Nuns during their daily study period (right) ©2009 Mindrolling International

Nuns of Samten Tse during office hours and working on the renovation and remodeling of the main building

Photo Credit: Nuns of Samten Tse during office hours (left); Nuns working on the renovation and remodeling of the main building at Samten Tse Retreat Centre (right) ©2009 Mindrolling International

Nuns of Samten Tse working on the renovation and remodeling the main building at Samten Tse Retreat Centre

Photo Credit: Nuns working on the renovation and remodeling of the main building at Samten Tse Retreat Centre ©2009 Mindrolling International

Contact Information

Samten Tse Retreat Centre
Fairlawn Estate Palace
P.O. Jharipani 248152
Mussoorie, Uttaranchal
India
Tel: 91-135-631267
Fax: 91-135-631167
Email: samtentseretreat@gmail.com

Last updated: 23 July 2009