It has now been nearly 60 years since Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Tulku Rinpoche co-founded the first Tibetan centre in the West, in the rolling hills of southern Scotland. These years have given us much to celebrate. Locally, we have seen continued growth and development at Samye Ling and, internationally, the development of Akong Rinpoche’s spiritual, humanitarian, and therapeutic works across four continents, benefiting the lives of tens of thousands of people.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche & Akong Tulku Rinpoche
1967
A New Samye in the West
In 1967, the two Rinpoches named their centre after Samye, the first successful Buddhist establishment in Tibet. They were soon joined by master artist Sherapalden Beru and the monk Samten. By 1970, Trungpa Rinpoche had departed for the USA, and His Holiness the 16th Karmapa firmly encouraged Akong Rinpoche to take a leadership role in developing Samye Ling. The early 1970s saw a progressive strengthening of Buddhist practice, with courses being given by visiting Thai, Burmese, Japanese, and a few Tibetan teachers.
Kalu RInpoche in Samye Ling, 1974
1974
Planting the Seeds of Practice
The second visit of Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche in 1974 was an important milestone. Accompanied by five lamas fresh out of retreat, he gave the first formal Vajrayana empowerments in the West, and the distinctive Tibetan sounds of the gyaling and radong first rang across the green valley. He inspired many people to begin traditional Kagyu practices.
The King Of Dharma Arrives
1975 & 1977
His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
The next milestone came soon afterward, with two visits from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. On the second visit, he was accompanied by Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and a party of a dozen tulkus, lamas, and monks. His Holiness performed the Black Crown ceremony and gave empowerments and teachings.
Most significantly, he reassured Akong Rinpoche regarding the long-term future of Buddhism in the West and at Samye Ling. This became the basis for developing the Samye Project to cater to the future demand he foresaw. While this seemed very ambitious at the time, it does not appear so in hindsight. The Karmapa’s visit also saw the establishment of the centre’s first international branches in Belgium, Spain, and Ireland.
What seemed to be a playful joke in 1977—when he ruffled Akong Rinpoche’s hair and called him “Africa Lama”—turned out to be a moment of foresight. Several years later, Rinpoche became the Karma Kagyu representative for Africa as Kagyu dharma developed there.
’70s
The Continuous Thread of Transmission
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Samye Ling benefited greatly from its status as the major Kagyu centre in Europe and one of the very few Tibetan centres in the West. Some of the most eminent masters of the Kagyu tradition stayed for periods of several months, allowing them time to teach major Buddhist texts and practices in detail to an international audience.
We were particularly indebted to the regular visits of Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, as well as to Goshir Gyaltsabpa for his long stay in 1983. Nowadays, such eminent teachers oversee so many centres worldwide that their visits are counted in days rather than months. We were also deeply honoured by the visits of HH the Dalai Lama and HH Sakya Trizin, HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Khamtrul Rinpoche.
’80s
A Supreme Undertaking
The overriding theme of the early 1980s was the construction of the temple, with all the work being performed by members of the community, which grew considerably in size and talent for that purpose. Under the direction of Sherapalden, our resident artists and craftspeople produced all the images, carvings, paintings, and decorations that are now so admired in the temple. At the same time, the first long-term retreat began, Rokpa’s humanitarian work expanded, and Tara Therapy started to evolve.
Akong Tulku Rinpoche Building the Samye Ling Temple
1988
A Vision Manifested
1988 was a key moment. The Samye Temple was inaugurated, and the first four-year retreat was successfully completed. Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, who had arrived for a brief visit from his long solitary retreat in America, stayed on at Akong Rinpoche’s request—first in continued solitary retreat, and then as the resident master for the second long retreat that began in 1989.
Inaugurating the Samye Ling Temple
The 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa & Hon. David Steel, 1988
Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche
1989 – 1997
The Essence of the Kagyu Lineage
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Vajradhara Chamgon Tai Situpa was extraordinarily kind and generous in his visits to Samye Ling. In response to Akong Tulku Rinpoche’s earnest request, from 1989 through to 1997, Situ Rinpoche gave the Mahamudra transmission emanating from the Saraha tradition and taught in detail from the text The Ocean of Definitive Meaning by the 9th Gyalwang Karmapa. Thus, the greatest masters have transmitted the very essence of the Kagyu teachings here, and Samye Ling continues to be a place where the ancient wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings is both preserved and made available to a new world.
’90s
’00s
Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, whose enthusiastic leadership saw the flourishing of the Samye Ling sangha
Joyfully Carrying the Vision Forth
As Akong Rinpoche spent more and more time on humanitarian work in Tibet throughout the late 1990s, Lama Yeshe Rinpoche kindly took on increasing responsibility for running the centre. He enthusiastically built up the monastic sangha, developing Samye Ling as a unique experiment combining a monastery, nunnery, and lay community.
Lama Rinpoche became Abbot of what was now known as Samye Ling Monastery and, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, received the title “Rinpoche” in recognition of his vast dharma attainment and activity.
2008
– 2012
Samye Completion Project
Between 2008 and 2012, all energy and resources were dedicated to building the final two wings of the Samye Project. Upon completion, these new buildings became home to the reception and administration offices, shifting the administrative focus of Samye Ling from Johnstone House to the Temple complex. In addition, they housed a state-of-the-art, 300-seat lecture hall for conferences and major events.
Construction of the final phase of the Samye Project
The Parinirvana of Khyabje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
Then, on 8th October 2013, our founder Akong Tulku Rinpoche died in tragic circumstances in Chengdu, China. Although this stunned his many followers, Samye Ling continues to develop and flourish under the guidance and inspiration of Akong Rinpoche’s brother and Regent, Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche.
Khyabje Akong Tulku Rinpoche and his brother and Regent, Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche in May 2013
Khyabje Akong Tulku Rinpoche departs Samye Ling for the last time in September 2013
2017
H.H. the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s visit to the UK
50th Anniversary of Kagyu Samye Ling
In 2017 Samye Ling celebrated its 50th anniversary. Celebrations were highlighted by the historic first visit of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje to the UK. His Holiness spent a memorable day in KSD London though on this visit he was not able to travel north to Samye Ling.
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Drodul Trinley Dorje & Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche during His Holiness’ visit to the UK
Establishing the UK Kagyu Monlam
While His Holiness was in KSD London, Lama Rinpoche promised His Holiness to host a UK Kagyu Monlam at Samye Ling. Consequently, in 2018 the first UK Kagyu Monlam took place in Samye Ling, with participants from around the UK and Europe and presided over by Drupon Khen Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe Rinpoche himself.
Drupon Khen Rinpoche Karma Lhabu & Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche leading the 5th UK Kagyu Monlam in 2025.
Despite a break during the Covid 19 pandemic, Samye Ling has continued to host the annual UK Kagyu Monlam and it is our wish and prayer that His Holiness Karmapa will visit Samye Ling to lead the first European Kagyu Monlam on our 60th anniversary in 2027.
2019→
Upholding the Dharma
In June 2019 on the final day of the second UK Kagyu Monlam, in a deeply moving ceremony, Lama Katen was invested as the Deputy Abbot of Samye Ling, with full responsibility for the the day to day running of the centre
Under Lama Katen’s steady guiding hand we have entered a new phase in the development of Samye Ling as a centre for Buddhist learning. In recent years, a number of eminent Khenpos have come to teach for at least one month each, so that for at least six months of each year there are several Dharma teachings being delivered every day.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Khenpo Lekthong on a walk through Samye Ling with Lama Katen
Drupon Khen Rinpoche greeted by Khenpo Jamyang Lodro, Khenpo Karma Drodul, and Lama Katen upon arrival to Samye Ling
Khenpo Karma Drodul and Khenpo Jamyang Lodro with Abbot Lama Yeshe Rinpoche and Lama Katen
Tulku Damcho Rinpoche in Samye Ling
Khenpo Ghawang, Khenpo Phurpa Wangchuk, and Lama Katen visiting Holy Isle from Samye Ling
Khenpo Karma Tashi leads a teaching and practice retreat in Samye Ling
Kagyu Samye Ling continues to thrive under the spiritual direction of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Drodul Trinley Dorje, and the Vajradhara Chamgon Khentin Tai Situpa. We are deeply grateful for their continued and inestimable support. The next major milestone will certainly be the visit of the Gyalwa Karmapa and we look forward to it with great joy and eagerness.
This short overview is to help us recollect with gratitude all that has contributed to our sixty years of growth, to appreciate the kindness of the Buddha in giving his profound teachings, and of the Tibetan masters who have skillfully presented them here.