Tibet Institute Rikon
The Tibet Institute Rikon is located in Zell-Rikon im Tösstal in the Töss Valley in Switzerland. It is a Tibetan monastery established as a non-profit foundation, since the 19th century's secularization movement in Switzerland does not allow for the establishment of new monasteries.
History
In 1961, Switzerland was one of the first countries in the Western hemisphere that allowed Tibetan refugees to settle in large numbers. Henri and Jacques Kuhn (owner of Metallwarenfabrik AG Heinrich Kuhn, now Kuhn Rikon AG) offered work and accommodation to a group of refugees. They supporeted the foundation of a monastic Tibet Institute, for spiritual and cultural care of Tibetan people in Switzerland, as well as to preserve and maintain the Tibetan culture for future generations. So, the monastic Tibet Institute in Rikon was founded, according to the advice and under the patronage of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. His Holyness (H.H.) emphasized the importance of monasteries for Tibetan people in exile and sent an abbot and four monks from India to Rikon. The buildings were constructed by architect Ueli Flück (Baden AG): the foundation stone was set on July 29, 1967. On November 9, 1968, the monastic Tibet Institute was consecrated by the two leading teachers of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche.[1] On April 8, 2010, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited the monastery community in Rikon (for the 14th time in all), with great sympathy to the Tibetan people, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Tibetan refugees in Switzerland.[2]
Institute's building
The institute building is designed on functional western architecture, mixed with Tibetan elements. Its architecture is in general not oriented upon the traditional Tibetan sacral architecture, since this would have reflected the altered role of a Tibetan monastery in the West in a misleading manner.
Cultural and religious life
Today the Buddhist monastery and its monastic community is a vital part of the cultural and religious life of Tibetan people in Switzerland. The large variety of cultural activities of the Tibet Institute also provides an important forum for the constantly growing number of western people interested in Buddhism and Tibet. The institute promotes the understanding of Tibetan culture, at a general public and at a scientific level. It provides the organisation of public events, has an own library, is issuing own publications, giving personal support to students and scientists, and maintaining contacts with related institutions and public relations. Its project «Science meets Dharma» provides Tibetan monks and nuns access to western scientific culture.[3]
The Tibet Institute Rikon provides for the spiritual and cultural needs of Tibetans in Switzerland, tries to preserve Tibetan culture and religion for the benefit of future generations of Tibetans. It makes Tibetan culture accessible to interested western and other non-Tibetan people. The monastic community supports scientific research in the field of Tibetology and is promoting dialogue between Buddhist philosophy and western science.
Monastic community
In 2009, the monastic community comprises 9 Tibetan monks. Ven. Geshe Phuntsok Tashi, the fourth abbot, was appointed by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama in 1996. Since 2007, the monastery comprises representatives of all four great traditions of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug.[4]
- Ven. Geshe Ugyen Tseten (1st abbot, 1967–1974)
- Ven. Geshe Tamdin Rabten (2nd abbot, 1975–1979)
- Ven. Geshe Gedün Sangpo (3rd abbot, 1979–1995)
- Ven. Geshe Phuntsok Tashi (4th abbot, since 1996)
External links
Media related to Tibet Institute Rikon at Wikimedia Commons