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Gangteng Monastery, Bhutan
Gangteng Monastery, 2002.
Restoration in progress, 2004.
Monastic life continues during the restoration.
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SACRED SITE One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world is the Gangteng Monastery in Bhutan, the exquisite and unspoiled kingdom hidden high in the Himalayas. This is the last intact Buddhist country in the world. Its stunning spirituality permeates every aspect of life there. Its vernacular architecture is fully integrated into the daily life of the population, while the surrounding landscape suggests an ancient sustainable economy in harmony with the environment. In 2002, His Holiness, Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche, the spiritual leader of the Monastery, chose the Landmarks Foundation to organize the rescue and preservation of this most important holy site. This was the first occasion for the Landmarks Foundation to engage in a project in which the sacred site is alive and occupied - in this case by hundreds of monks for the last 453 years. GOALS Studies were made to identify the structural problems that needed to be addressed. To replace the wooden parts without affecting the original aura and grandeur of the Monastery will take years. The Royal Government of Bhutan supervises the work and is providing the necessary technical and architectural support, including raw materials for the restoration. Much of the wood needed for reconstruction has been obtained, and the aging process already begun. The people from the surrounding provinces are voluntarily providing the labor. ACTION In the autumn of 2004 the Landmarks Foundation returned and was amazed at the progress of the restoration in the last two years. The main structure is half finished and yet the active life of the Monastery remains uninterrupted. Our fundraising trips to Bhutan have proven to be an unqualified success. We offer an accompanied tour of the small Kingdom of Bhutan, concentrating on its historical and religious sites. A tax-deductible surcharge is added to the cost of the trip and is contributed directly to the Gangteng Monastery Project. The Group does not exceed six people plus guide and driver. Accommodations are often rustic but comfortable. Read more about the Landmarks Foundation's work in Bhutan in an article that appeared in Modern Painters. |