Please go to our "News" link for up-to-date announcements.  

The Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery (a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization) -- located on the grounds of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center--is dedicated to the promotion of world peace and harmony. It fosters interfaith dialogue and is open to persons of all faiths who wish to come to the temple to meditate, participate in retreat programs, and attend Buddhist Dharma teachings.

The monastery is a result of the vision of Thubten Norbu (Tagtser Rinpoche) who was determined to promote interfaith dialogue in the Bloomington, Indiana area and, indeed, throughout the world.

The Chamtse Ling Temple cornerstone was laid by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in July 1996 when he visited the center to give a teaching on "Aspirational Bodhichitta." At that time, he gave the temple its name: "Chamtse Ling" or "Field of Compassion."

Construction of the temple began in 2002 and was finally completed in 2003. His Holiness returned to the Tibetan Cultural Center in September 2003 and consecrated the temple in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that involved members of 11 faiths: Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, Society of Friends, Bahai, Jewish, Hindu, Shinto, Sikh,Unitarian, and Native American. Muhammed Ali, a member of the religion of Islam, was a special guest who co-hosted the ceremony with His Holiness.

Under the new direction proposed by His Holiness, the temple has been renamed "Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery" in honor of the great Kumbum Monastery located in Eastern Tibet. Arjia Rinpoche is in the process of creating "Kumbum West"--a learning institution to be located at the temple that will be dedicated to the teaching of Language, Philosophy, Medicine/ Astrologolical Sciences, and Meditation.

Spiritual teachers and Buddhist scholars from many traditions and from all parts of the world come to teach at Kumbum Chamtse Ling.  Dharma teachings are offered each Sunday and meditation instruction is offered  each Thursday.  Retreats, lectures and special dharma instruction are offered monthly.  Check the calendar for scheduled activities.

For historical information, click here

  Board of Directors  

Arjia Rinpoche, Executive Director

Mike Kirsch, President
Sudhaka Koneru,  Vice President

Michael Schofield, Treasurer
Patricia Ellis, Secretary

Geshe Lobsang Kunga

Mary Pattison
Winnie Edgerton

Elaine Irwin