Tibet Settlement, Bylakuppe

130 Kms from Bangalore is Kushalnagar on way to madikeri, Coorg.We had gone to see the Namdroling golden temple, Bylakuppe, Kushalnagar, and we were never aware that their were 14 settlements spread over a huge area.

Next to the Namdroling temple and residence is a nunnery.

There are several temples, hospitals and even a tibetan court. They say the Dalai Lama visits once a year. Near the Sera Mey and Sera Jey Universities are quarters where the students live and practice.

This settlement came into existence in 1972 and is a protected area. Recently they have completed 50 years in exile. I have no doubt that these people will get to see Free Tibet someday.
Emperor Sprongtsen Gampo introduced Buddhism in Tibet from India in 7th century. He sent his most illustrious minister who studied in famous Nalanda University (now almost in shambles - protected status) for years; and, on his return to Tibet Thonmi Sambhota invented the tibetan script based on Indian Nagari script learnt from great Indian Masters such as Guru Padma Sambhava.

D Shantharakshita and D pamkar Shrigyan were invited to Tibet. Buddhist canonical texts,treatises and scriptures were translated into Tibetan from Sanskrit. Sangha were established in Tibet. Buddhism gained root and spread to neighboring countries and flourished fast. There evolved four major schools within Tibetan Buddhist schools namely Sakhya, Gulug, Kagyod and Nyingma. Each specialized in distinct system of study and practice of the same pristine Buddha DHARMA.
For world peace, and for purpose of spreading and prolonging the Buddha's teachings on earth, a request by GKNT Rinpoche was made to donate this medicine buddha mandala (Meaningful to Behold), made of copper and gold. It was completed in Tibetan royal year 2132, 15th of the 8th Tibetan month.

Most of the external architectural design is in accordance with the traditional Tibetan structure of a temple. There are 14 settlements and each have their own traditions. There are old age homes, a justice court, people practicing their crafts. 2 Universities where resident scholar-practitioners congregate for prayers, meditations, dialectic discussions and monastic examinations, etc.
There are several paintings and images. These paintings are supposed to depict an enlightened mind/body/speech. Illustrations of "How to meditate on single-pointed concentration of mind, the wheel of mundane life and the four universal monarchs. Silence is observed throughout.

A painting of a Sthavira, the sublime teachers who excelled in preserving and letting flourish the Buddha teachings. Photo of "His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama".

The temple caretaker if present will happily provide explanation to the individual paintings and images. There are 1000 statues each of Buddha/Jey Rinpoche(Gelug) and the Medicine Buddha.
Buddha Shakyamuni, the originator of the teachings, flanked by Maitreya and Manjushri. Scholars and practitioners in a chant on sunday when we visited.

Many among the present day Tibetans have never seen Tibet. Barring voting rights, Tibetans enjoy all facilities given to Indian citizens including being considered for government jobs. However, they can not apply for a top post like collector. Read article here.