Photos: Mummified monk continues to inspire Buddhist disciples in Shimla

Monks at the Thubthen Dorje Drak Monastery have mummified the body of their teacher Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche in a crafted wooden box, using the traditional Buddhist methods. His disciples await the reincarnation of their teacher.

Updated on: Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM IST

News

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Away from the hustle bustle of Shimla, a mummified Buddhist teacher, Kyabje Taklung Tretrul Rinpochhe continues to inspire scores of Tibetan students at the quaint Thubthen Dorje Drak Monastery located 3 kms from the hill station. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

2/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Kyabje Taklung Tretrul Rinpochhe founded the Dorje Drak monastery in 1984 and became the head of Tibetan Buddhism’s Nyingma School in 2012. The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the other three being the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. Nyingma literally means ancient. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

3/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Monks make a mandala using natural colors ahead of a prayer ceremony for their spiritual guru Kyabje Taklung Tretrul Rinpochhe. He died at 89 at Bodh Gaya in 2015 when his disciples decided to bring the body back to Shimla and preserve it. Two attendants, who were with him round the clock, Geogang Wanchuk and Paljor, say Rinpoche died in meditation, a stage short of achieving nirvana. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

4/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Monks at the monastery have preserved the body of Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche in a crafted wooden box, using the traditional Buddhist method of applying salt and Himalayan herbs.Students at the monastery pay obeisance to their teacher daily, while the two monks offer the mummy tea and sweets. Special prayers are held in his honour every month. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

5/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Tibetans believe prayers also help preserve the body. Incense sticks and a butter lamp are lit round the clock to keep insects away from the mummified monk. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

6/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Tibetan Buddhists follow the tradition of finding, recognising, enthroning, training, and venerating revered figures, who provide teachings of liberation for both monks and the common people. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

7/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Young monks play traditional musical instruments during the prayer for their spiritual guru Kyabje Taklung Tretrul Rinpochhe. ‘We pray that the master is reborn. The process to find his reincarnation will start in October,’ says Yarphel Lama, the administrator of the monastery. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)

8/8

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 05, 2017 5:59 PM

Besides the mummy of Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche which is preserved near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is home to three more mummified monks. The mummy of Kyabjé Ling Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama’s teacher, is also preserved at the Tibetan spiritual leader’s residence in Dharamshala. (Deepak Sansta / HT Photo)