History and Timeline of the Zangdok Palri Project
A project spanning more than two decades
Letter of Support from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
In 2003, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama wrote this letter to the Venerable Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche. In it, His Holiness gives his support for the Zangdok Palri Project, noting that His Holiness hopes that Gelong Rinpoche’s aspiration is fulfilled and that this Zangdok Palri is completed. His Holiness also offered a gift of monetary support towards the project.
Letter of Support from His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche
At about the same time (2003), His Holiness Dzarong Trulshik Shatrul Rinpoche wrote this letter to the Venerable Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche. In summary, His Holiness notes that during this era’s increase in the five degenerations, that the blessings of Guru Rinpoche are swifter than ever, especially in Nepal. His Holiness rejoices at the pure intention of Ven Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche in creating the Glorious Copper-Colored Mountain of Padmasambhava in Nepal and offers a donation of 30,000 Nepali Rupees to the project.
Land Blessing by His Holiness Chatral Rinpoche
In 2004, His Holiness Chatral Rinpoche was invited by the Ven. Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche to visit and bless the future Zangdok Palri site. As there were no paved roads at the time, His Holiness was carried in by sedan chair. His Holiness performed the Bhumi Puja, drawing the line to claim the ground for this important Dharma project. His Holiness also encouraged Gelong Rinpoche to purchase a larger plot of land. The name of the area of the land is “Phulchok”, or “Flower-Covered.”
Construction Site Blessing by His Holiness The Third Dudjom Rinpoche
In 2012, His Holiness Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche came at the invitation of Gelong Rinpoche and offered his blessings and aspirations at the construction site of Zangdok Palri in Phulchok, Pharping.
Preparing the Foundation
Deep footings were dug into the reddish earth to hold the concrete that supports the columns for Zangdok Palri in 2011. Steel rebar was used throughout to strengthen the concrete, which is especially critical in the event of an earthquake
Rising from the Earth
It took several years for the lower levels to slowly rise from the ground, as there is very little heavy equipment available for construction in this area of Nepal. Also, as there is no formal institutional fundraising arm for this project, the Venerable Gelong Rinpoche gathered the needed funds gradually from offerings made to him personally––construction depends entirely on the generosity of direct donations, both large and small. These photos are from 2016.
Completing the Upper Storeys
In these photos from 2022 we can see the upper levels coming into being.
Creating a Sacred Space (2025)
Now that the building framework is largely completed, highly skilled artists and craftspeople are creating the many elements of sacred art which are integral to Zangdok Palri. The artists directly carve the wet concrete into highly detailed, intricate designs that are rich in symbolism. Scores of workers are in force on any given day, and their progress is funded entirely by donations made to Gelong Kalsang Rinpoche. All of these elements will eventually be brightly painted, and the large copper deity statues will be consecrated and installed in the upper storeys upon completion. Please see the photo gallery for more images, which will be updated as progress continues.
The Quintessential Zangdok Palri Aspiration Prayer
by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche
Essence of all the Buddhas, O kind one,
Ögyen Rinpoche, to you I pray.
As soon as the appearances of this life fade away,
may I instantly be born in Pama Öd (Guru Rinpoche’s Lotus Light Pure Land)