HISTORY OF PALNGE MONASTERY
Hotel Dolmaling is not just a place of hospitality—it’s a mission-driven endeavor established by Palnge Monastery, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the well-being and growth of its monks. Every penny of our profit is donated to the monastery, making your stay meaningful and impactful.
Founded in 1989 by Lama Kundak in honor of his late brother, the 2nd Azin Rinpoche, Palnge Monastery continues a legacy rooted in over 800 years of Buddhist tradition. Originally from Tibet, the 2nd Azin Rinpoche fled to Nepal in 1959, where he was entrusted with maintaining the 16th Karmapa’s monastery at Swayambhunath Stupa.
He envisioned establishing Palnge Monastery near Boudhanath Stupa, a dream fulfilled by Lama Kundak after the Rinpoche’s passing in 1983.The 3rd Azin Rinpoche, enthroned in 1990, now leads the monastery, carrying forward its spiritual mission.
Today, Hotel Dolmaling is located within the monastery’s heritage site in Boudha, offering a peaceful space for guests to meditate and experience teachings. In recent years, the 3rd Azin Rinpoche also established a new monastery in Sankhu, a serene forested area on the outskirts of Kathmandu, where the monks now study and practice Buddhism. By staying with us, you contribute to the ongoing mission of Palnge Monastery, creating a positive impact on the lives of the monks and preserving this sacred tradition for future generations.
About Rinpoche
Third Azin Tulku Rinpoche or Karma Thupten Thinlay Gyurmayed Pal Zangpo is a tulku in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the Pal Thupten Nyedhon Shedrub Dhargyeling Monastery. He is considered the reincarnation of the 2nd Azin Rinpoche (Karma Lodro Tsultrim Tharchen).
He was born on 22 March 1984 in the year of the water bird in a neighbourhood near Swoyambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple) to a father named Tashi and a mother named Yeshi according to the predictions of HE Jamgon Tai Situpa (Péma Tönyö Nyinjé).
When the tulku had reached the age of three, he went to see Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche at Sherabling in India. On that occasion, Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche presided over the ritualistic cutting of a tuft of his hair and bestowed on him the name Karma Thupten Trinlay Gyurme Pal Zangpo.
In 1990, when he was six years old, the guardian of refuge Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche on a day chosen as particularly positive through astrological calculations, officially enthroned him as holder of this lineage at Palnge Monastery near the stupa in Boudha called Jarung Khashor.
In 1994, during his tenth year, in the presence Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche, Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche and Very Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, a traditionally prescribed number of Khenpos and Acharyas and in the midst of a gathering of the sangha he took his novice ordination.
During the next period he listened to, trained in and perfected traditional arts specific to the Kamtsang Tradition passed down through a living lineage with firsthand experience such as rituals, lama dances, sand mandalas melodies for chanting and ritual instruments. He received the ripening empowerments, reading transmission and liberating instructions for Drubthab Kuntu) from Sakya Gongma Rinpoche.