Palpung Monastery is the historical seat of the successive incarnations of the Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpas in
Kham. It is also the mother monastery of the
Karma Kagyu in Kham and evolved into the center of the
Rimé movement. The seat in exile, outside of Tibet,
Sherabling Monastery, is in
India. The congregation has monasteries and centers around the world.
Palpung in Tibet Palpung Monastery is a
gompa in
Babang Township,
Dêgê County,
Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in western
Sichuan. It has historically always been associated with the
Karmapas such as the 16th Karmapa being enthroned first at Palpung before traveling to his main seat at
Tsurphu Monastery in
Ü-Tsang. The Karmapas and Tai Situpas have been connected closely over time, alternating as master and disciple. Palpung originated in the 12th century and wielded considerable religious influence over the centuries. There are an estimated 800 monks residing in the monastery itself and a larger number resident in the surrounding region.
Palpung in India ,
North India Pema Tönyö Nyinje, the 12th Tai Situpa, fled from Kham to
Bhutan and then India at the age of six, where he consequently received his formal traditional training under
Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa. At the age of 22 he started to set up his seat in exile, Palpung Sherabling Monastery, in
Himachal Pradesh,
North India. Palpung Sherabling Monastery currently has approximately 1,000 monks; 250 are enrolled in the monastic university curriculum on the premises. Palpung Yeshe Rabgyeling Nun Monastery is located near the city of Manali, in the Bunthar town has about 200 nuns. The Monastery also offers the traditional
Kagyu three-year retreat for both monks and nuns on the compound. ==Palpung Congregation==