Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling

Founded in 1996 by two eminent Tibetan Buddhist teachers, His Eminence Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche and His Eminence Gonsar Rinpoche, Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling (DGTL) Buddhist Monastery is nestled in Bloomington in Indiana’s Lower Cascades Park amidst natural cliffs, creeks and a waterfall. The peaceful monastery grounds and buildings are decorated with traditional Tibetan colours and designs.

Established with the wish to preserve the Buddha’s teachings as transmitted by the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism for the benefit of all sentient beings, Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling not only functions as a traditional monastery for Gelugpa monks but also welcomes lay people of all nationalities and backgrounds to join in its many religious, cultural and educational activities and programmes. These activities include teachings by resident and visiting monks, construction of sand mandalas, daily prayer services, guest lectures at schools and community groups and the annual Taste of Tibet where monks cook authentic Tibetan delicacies for the communities of Bloomington and Cincinnati.

Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling

Interior of Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling

The altar of Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling

According to its official website, Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling was established with the following purposes:

1. Preservation of all the authentic oral transmission lineages of the Gelug Tradition founded by the great masterJe Tsong Khapa, and transmitted through an unbroken line of masters of our time, such as the great Pabongka, His Holiness Trijang Dorje Chang and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Foreseeing the great danger of dilution and degeneration of this pure tradition at its source in the Tibetan community, giving it special attention is seen as indispensable for its preservation for the sake of all beings.
2. Following the very intention of the Buddha, as well as the great founding masters of the past, all the activities of this institution will be centred around a monastic community based upon the solid foundation of the Vinaya tradition. All the studies and practices of Buddhism will be conducted on the basis of the most complete and clear teaching of Dharma given by the matchless great teacher Je Tsong Khapa and his lineage-holding great disciples up to the direct masters of the present. It will be open to people from all walks of life, regardless of their race and origin, who are sincerely and seriously interested and eager to learn and to practice such teachings.
3. To provide everyone interested in learning and practising the various aspects of such an authentic transmission with the possibility of study and guidance in the practice of meditation through organising permanent study programs, lectures, weekend seminars and occasional week-long courses.
4. To give support and assistance to all the monastic communities, organisations or individuals adhering to the same authentic tradition, especially at its source in Tibet, India, China and Mongolia.
5. In concordance with the aims and objectives of this organisation, Dorje Shugden, the Protector deity of this particular lineage of Dharma, will forever be the patron figure of this organisation as well as that of all affiliates.