Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastic Institute(aka Pema Ts’al Sakya Monastery) is a unique and beautiful place, situated on a quiet hilltop near Nepal’s famous Fewa Lake and in front of the Fishtail Mountain.
Pema Ts’al is a thriving modern monastic community, dedicated wholly to the education of young Buddhist monks and the preservation of the ancient Sakya Buddhist tradition. It is a home to many young students from the inaccessible and impoverished Himalayan Region, Tibetan Refugees and Nepali Buddhist communities.
It is a non-profit organization, founded by Venerable Khen Rinpoche Pema Wangdak la and Venerable Khen Rinpoche Kunga Dhondup la in a rented house at Kathmandu on the 13th of March, 1999. On the 9th of February 2002, it was relocated to its present location and officially registered to Nepal Government in the year 2004. Since then the monastery books of account have been duly auditing by a registered auditor and submitted to all major Nepal Government offices including the District Administration Office, Kaski and Inland Revenue Office, Pokhara.
It provides a comprehensive educational program for all young monks that has been fully sanctioned by Nepal Government. The subjects taught are Buddhist Philosophy, Tibetan, English, Nepali, Science, Math, Health and Physical Education, Computer and Social Studies.
After completing both their class 8 studies and the highest level of prayer examination called “Dhonpa”, our students then progress to formal Buddhist philosophical studies known as shedra. These young monks continue their monastic college studies for a period of eight to ten years, after which they receive the title “Kachupa” (equivalent to B.A. degree) after studying for 8 years and “Lopon”(equivalent to M.A. degree) after studying for 10 years.
Due to the blessings and generous financial contributions of our spiritual masters, donors, sponsors and well-wishers, Pema Ts’al kept on growing every year. As a result, the property of the monastery is now spread on nearly 4 acres of land. The land and building are all registered in the name of the monastery itself.
Registered Government Offices
1. District Administration Office, Kaski
2. Internal Revenue Office, Pokhara
3. Social Welfare Council, Kathmandu
4. Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee, Kathmandu
5. District Education Office, Kaski
Monastery Board Members
1. Ngawang Tashi Gurung – chairman
2. Lhekshey Chhottar Bista – vice-chairman
3. Tashi Wangyal Bista – treasurer
4. Chimilhundup Gurung – secretary
5. Rinzin Wangdu Gurung Lama – member
6. Lekshey Gurung – member
7. Lhekshey Phuntsok Gurung – member
8. Sumduk Tsete Gurung – member
9. Kunga Namgyal Gurung – member
10. Ngawang Fonjo Gurung – member
11. Jabyang Sangwo Gurung – member
Kundup Foundation Board Members
1. Rigzin Wangdu Gurung Lama – president
2. Lhekshey Chhottar Bista – member
3. Chimilhundup Gurung – member
4. Tashi Gurung – member
5. Kunga Namgyal Gurung – member
Working Committee
1. Khenpo Kunga Dhondup la – founder/monastery abbot
2. Khenpo Jampa Dhakpa la – college abbot
3. Ghen Tashi Wangyal la – director
4. Lopon Ngawang Tashi la – chairman/principal
5. Mr. Lobsang Tsering la – accountant/secretary
6. Ghen Ngawang Phuntsok la – school headmaster
7. Jamyang Dorje la – food Manager
