Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple

Architecture of Enlightenment®

 

A Gift to the World

From Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Sangye Pema Shepa

 

Heart Vision of the Dudjom Lineage

Arising from great compassion, it was the heart vision of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Sangye Pema Shepa (1990-2022)  to build a monumental temple of Zangdok Pelri for the benefit of all living sentient beings.  Dudjom Rinpoche indicated that his predecessor Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (1904-1987) and before him, Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904), had the same inexorable aspiration.  
Dudjom Rinpoche repeatedly stressed the importance of building this particular flagship monument in Pharping, Nepal, on the sacred land where Guru Padmasambhava placed his lotus feet. His vision was for it to become a sacred mandala that would serve  people from all walks of life, a place to gather and pray for the alleviation of suffering in the world. Dudjom Rinpoche's vision also includes building additional Zangdok Pelri temples around the world in various countries.
Dudjom Rinpoche designed many elements of the Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple personally.  He worked intimately with an architect for four years to perfect every minute detail.  Dudjom Rinpoche approved the final blueprints for the temple just days before he entered into Parinirvana. 
On the occasion of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Sangye Pema Shepa's third year parinirvana, this heart vision is shared with the larger community of worldwide Dudjom Tersar disciples and devotees. 
 
 

Dudjom Lingpa

Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje

 

Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa

About Zangdok Pelri

Guru Padmasambhava

Guru Padmasambhava (c. 701–800) was an Indian Buddhist master who originally introduced Vajrayana in Tibet and its neighboring Himalayan regions. As an omniscient and omnipresent enlightened being, he is known as the Second Buddha in the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. As an expression of spontaneously arising pure awareness, he embodies the essence of the enlightened activities of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. 

His Celestial Mandala

Zangdok Pelri – known as the Coppered Colored Mountain, is the celestial mansion, or enlightened abode, of Guru Padmasambhava.  Zangdok Pelri represents the three kayas (body, speech, and mind) of the primordial Buddha, and of the fully awakened potential inherent in every living being – including you. Devotees believe that anyone who makes a connection with Zangdok Pelri, through seeing or entering its mandala, will receive innumerable blessings directly from the heart of Guru Padmasambhava.
The Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple design incorporates ancient celestial measurements derived from sources encoded by Guru Padmasambhava found in numerous Nyingma Buddhist texts. It includes detailed personal instructions directly from Dudjom Rinpoche himself, who is believed to be a direct emanation of Guru Padmasambhava in our time.  
 

“Millions of Nirmanakaya of Guru Rinpoche I pray.
Millions of obstacles are removed.
Millions of wishes are fulfilled.
Millions of sentient beings are benefited.”


– Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Sangye Pema Shepa

 

Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple Design

 

History of the Project

In 2018 Dudjom Rinpoche requested master mandala artist and traditional Bhutanese-Tibetan architect Pema Namdol Thaye to design the Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple. For a period of four years, Dudjom Rinpoche worked intimately and in great detail with Pema Namdol  on the temple design. His knowledge of every inch of the temple design was all encompassing and complete. He scrutinized the placement of every rafter and beam, every door and window, the crystalline color pallet, every detail of the monk's quarters, monastic ordination hall, massive libraries, cultural centers, art museum and institute, and even the most minute details of community spaces such as the various dining halls and parking lots.  Dudjom Rinpoche co-created the grand assembly hall, Trikaya Buddha levels, three-dimensional mandala chamber and Tsa Sum Lakang with Pema Namdol. The blueprints and  design elements were all finalized and approved by Dudjom Rinpoche on February 12th, 2022. His enlightened thumbprint is sealed in every square inch of the design. 
 

Governance of the Project

On October 14th, 2018, in the presence of Venerable Mayum Pema Khandro and an assembly of the Dudjom Labrang, Dudjom Rinpoche entrusted Pema Namdol Thaye of Padma Studios® as the Executive Director and Chief Architect/Designer of the Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple building project. On June 19th, 2019 during his visit to Thinley Norbu Rinpoche's seat in Delhi, NY, Dudjom Rinpoche formalized his request to Pema Namdol with an official Letter of Appointment.  With great devotion, Pema Namdol has wholeheartedly committed to upholding Dudjom Rinpoche's instructions and to fulfilling his vision under the direction and spiritual guidance of Venerable Mayumla and the Dudjom Labrang.

Letter of Appointment

Sacred Land Consecration


Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple Land Site

For over a decade great efforts were made to secure the land for Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple in the sacred valley of Pharping, Nepal.  This sacred land is situated near the  cave where Guru Padmasambhava accomplished Vajra Kilaya’s wisdom essence.  The land itself is a solid bedrock with fertile red earth gracing its entire surface.  The view of Pharping and the distant Kathmandu valley below is expansive and completely unobstructed. 
 
In April of 2019, Dudjom  Rinpoche consecrated the Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple land site.  The consecration ceremony was hosted by the Dudjom International Foundation and supported by the Samye Memorial Buddhist Monastery.  The consecration events were attended by Nepalese and International dignitaries and included three days of one hundred thousand feast accumulation with a gathering of many eminent Buddhist masters and thousands of Dudjom Tersar disciples  from around the world. On April 16th, at the conclusion of the ceremonies, residents of the local Pharping community made abundant offerings of celebratory songs and dances. 
This sacred land has been blessed and prepared for Dudjom Rinpoche's heart vision to manifest.  We invite you to join us in building this profound creation in the years to come.

How to Contribute?

Each offering is like a drop of nectar toward realizing this heart vision of Dudjom Rinpoche.  All donations to build the Zangdok Palri Mandala Temple will be solely designated for this purpose and are collected through the Dudjom International Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  
Emblem with a golden vajra on a lotus, surrounded by colorful concentric circles and Tibetan script below.
Through our collective prayers and meritorious activities, may the enlightened wishes of Dudjom Rinpoche be fulfilled. As we continue to pray with fervent devotion for his swift return, may Dudjom Rinpoche's vision to build the Zangdok Pelri Mandala Temple be realized. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contact us

Please use the contact form for all inquiries regarding this project. We will always respect your privacy.
 
 
 
 
© 2025 
Padma Studios