Other Monasteries

The whole of Khumbu is considered sacred and there are many caves and hermitages that have been used by highly regarded teachers, monks and meditators. Most villages have a temple or Gompa, which is suported by the lay community. The monks are invited to the villages to perform the important yearly ceremonies.

The oldest Gompa in Khumbu is in Upper Pangboche a few hours walk up from Tengboche, close to a sacred old grove of juniper trees and many carved Mani stones. It was established by Lama Sangwa Dorje in the 16th century and there is a Stupa with some of his relics there. Previously there was a Yeti skull at the Gompa that people would pay a few rupees to see. Sadly it has been stolen and this source of income has been lost. In Pangboche there is also a small community of nuns living above the Gompa and an old hermitage. About 15 years ago Dawang Rinpoche lived and taught here and many people came to study with him. A Stupa with his relics has been built close by.

There is also an old Monastery at Thame, as well as at upper Thame known as Kyobra. These monasteries were established by Rolpa Dorje about 30 years ago. The Thame Gompa clings to a cliff high above the village in a very spectacular location. The monks perform the Mani Rimdu here every year in the late spring.

There is also a very active Ani Gompa in Thamo with many Tibetan nuns, as well as the retreat center at Laudo above Thamo. These were established by Lama Zopa. Laudo is connected with the well-known center Kopan in Kathmandu and westerners quite often come here to study and practice Buddhism. A little above Laudo is the retreat house of Kyerok Rinpoche who passed away in 1992 after passing the lineage of his teachings to his daughter who still lives there.

There is a Gompa at Kunde where a very accomplished and realized mediator stayed; a few monks and nuns still live there. At the Gompa in Kumjung you can still see a Yeti skull. About an hours walk above Kumjung is a cave where Guru Rinpoche stayed for three days. There is also the ruin of an old hermitage there. Namche Gompa is quite new and used for special occasions.

This is just a brief summary of some of the Gompas, hermitages and caves but there are many more sacred sites in Khumbu.

This is just a brief summary of some of the Gompas, hermitages and caves but there are many more sacred sites in Khumbu.