Rumtek monastery with young monk in class, in Sikkim

From the archive record

The largest monastery in Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is the seat of the Karmapa Lama, the third highest monk in Tibetan Buddhism. It also serves as one of the most important seats of the Kagyu (Black Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet and is also known as Dharmachakra Centre. Located about 23 km from Gangtok, the monastery was built by the fourth King of Sikkim under the supervision of the ninth Karmapa (head of the Karma Kagyu sect). At an elevation of almost 5000 ft and surrounded by lush green landscape, the monastery is a visual treat besides offering spiritual solace. The Rumtek Monastery was built in the 16th century by Karmapa Wangchuck Dorje. Rumtek was the main seat of power for the Karma Kagyu sect in Sikkim. The monastery was found to be in ruins by Gyalwa Karmapa, the