About Maratika Monastery
History & Founding
Maratika Chimey Takten Choling Monastery is a sacred center of Tibetan Buddhism located in Nepal’s Khotang District, near the holy Maratika Caves. Nestled in a peaceful and powerful landscape, the monastery serves as a place of spiritual practice, learning, and pilgrimage, welcoming both practitioners and visitors from around the world.
Rooted in the ancient Nyingma tradition, Maratika Monastery provides an environment for deepening one’s connection to the Dharma through study, meditation, and authentic Vajrayana practice.
Maratika Monastery was founded in the late 1980s by the revered Ven. Lama Ngawang Chophel Gyatso Rinpoche, following the guidance and prophecy of five great masters:
His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche, His Holiness Dzatrul Rinpoche, and His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa.
It was the first Buddhist monastery established in the Maratika region, created to support the preservation and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
After Lama Ngawang Chophel Gyatso Rinpoche passed away in 1996, His Holiness Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, the Supreme Head of the Nyingma tradition, appointed Maratika Dhungdzin Rinpoche, the son of the founder, as the Lineage Holder and Abbot (Khenpo).
Under his leadership, the monastery was reconstructed and expanded, and Maratika Shedra was established as a formal institute for the study of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and Dzogchen teachings.
About Maratika Monastery
Maratika Chimey Takten Choling Monastery is a sacred center of Tibetan Buddhism located in Nepal’s Khotang District, near the holy Maratika Caves. Nestled in a peaceful and powerful landscape, the monastery serves as a place of spiritual practice, learning, and pilgrimage, welcoming both practitioners and visitors from around the world.
Rooted in the ancient Nyingma tradition, Maratika Monastery provides an environment for deepening one’s connection to the Dharma through study, meditation, and authentic Vajrayana practice.
History & Founding
Maratika Monastery was founded in the late 1980s by the revered Ven. Lama Ngawang Chophel Gyatso Rinpoche, following the guidance and prophecy of five great masters:
His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche, His Holiness Dzatrul Rinpoche, and His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa.
It was the first Buddhist monastery established in the Maratika region, created to support the preservation and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
After Lama Ngawang Chophel Gyatso Rinpoche passed away in 1996, His Holiness Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, the Supreme Head of the Nyingma tradition, appointed Maratika Dhungdzin Rinpoche, the son of the founder, as the Lineage Holder and Abbot (Khenpo).
Under his leadership, the monastery was reconstructed and expanded, and Maratika Shedra was established as a formal institute for the study of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and Dzogchen teachings.
Sacred Maratika Caves
Maratika Monastery is closely connected to the sacred Maratika Caves, revered as the place where Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Mandarava attained realization of long life and immortality.
For centuries, pilgrims have visited this holy site to pray for long life, spiritual awakening, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The monastery continues to serve as a spiritual support center for these pilgrims.