About Tsechen Kunchab Ling

Current Tsechen Kunchab Ling – September, 2016

Tsechen Kunchab Ling, Temple of All-Encompassing Great Compassion, was established in Walden, New York in April, 2001 as the U.S. Seat of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. His Holiness requested Venerable Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen to undertake the work of establishing and managing his U.S. seat in order to strengthen the Dharma in North America by creating a sacred place where both renunciates and lay people could gather to practice the Dharma and to devote themselves to study, contemplation, and meditation.

The temple property was purchased in 2001, and many members and friends of the temple worked to renovate and improve the grounds and buildings. When everything was ready, in the summer of 2003, His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, his eldest son His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and their holy family came to reside at the temple for a month.

On July 4, 2003, His Holiness formally consecrated the temple and opened the door of Dharma with an extensive series of Dharma teachings. Many students from all over the world gathered for this happy event.

Over the following years, under the guidance His Holiness, with great courage Venerable Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen and temple members have dedicated their best efforts to build a traditional temple building to provide a beautiful setting for Dharma teachings and practice. The groundbreaking ceremony and commencement of construction occurred on the auspicious day of March 29, 2007. Shortly thereafter, His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche, abbot of Ngor Ewam Choden Monastery, visited the temple for five days in April. During that time he blessed sacred objects and conducted ceremonies placing them beneath the emerging foundation. In June, 2007, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche visited the Temple and performed the roof-raising ceremony for the new building.

Through the continued efforts and resources of all of His Holiness’ students, His Holiness’s vision for the temple will surely be swiftly accomplished.