Gaden Chang Chub Choling

The Tibetan Buddhist Temple Gaden Chang Chub Choling came into existence following the Canadian government’s incentive to cater to the spiritual needs of its new Tibetan citizens, which included extending repeated invitations to Geshe Khenrab Gajam to establish a Dharma centre in Montreal.

Upon his arrival in Montreal, Geshe Khenrab Gajam started giving Dharma teachings in the living room of his apartment in Longueuil and quickly established a close connection to the local Tibetan community. Geshe Khenrab Gajam’s eloquent explanations of the Dharma also attracted many non-Tibetan students.

Geshe Khenrab Gajam (right) with His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche

When his living room could no longer accommodate the ever-increasing number of attendees, Geshe Khenrab Gajam converted his apartment into the Atisha Dharma Centre. The centre was visited by many great lamas, amongst them Venerable Pema Gyaltsen, His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche, Venerable Kalu Rinpoche and His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.

In 1980, Atisha Dharma Centre moved to a larger building in Longueuil and was renamed Tibetan Buddhist Temple Gaden Chang Chub Choling. The centre remained in Longueuil for six years until they relocated once again to a bigger place in accordance with the advice of His Holiness the 98^th Gaden Tripa Jamphel Shenpen, who had visited the temple several times over the course of a few years.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama visited Gaden Chang Chub Choling in the 1980s

The official opening of Gaden Chang Chub Choling at De l’Eglise Avenue in Côte St. Paul was held in May 1986 and was commemorated with a traditional ceremony performed by the monks of Gyutö Tantric College.

When Geshe Khenrab Gajam entered clear light on 4 October 1993, Gaden Chang Chub Choling came under the guidance of Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin for four months. Following Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin’s leave of absence to serve as the tutor of H.H. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, His Eminence Zawa Rinpoche, a close disciple of Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin, took on the responsibility of guiding the spiritual community of Montreal.

Zawa Rinpoche, the current resident Lama of Gaden Chang Chub Choling with his guru, Geshe Tsultrim Tenzin

In 2014, Gaden Chang Chub Choling moved to Ste Sophie, north of Montreal, and was renamed Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre. The new centre held its official opening ceremony in August 2015, an event that gathered many great lamas of our lineage, among them His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.

The new centre, now known as Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre