Shalu Shedra

The Shalu Shedra (College) at Tilokpur, India is the exile seat and centre for the revival, restoration, preservation and protection of the Bhulug Lineage tradition Tibetan Buddhism founded by Omniscient Buton Rinchen Drub.

In recent times, while His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa was on a religious tour to the Northern part of Tibetan communities and Monasteries in Dehradun areas in the Uttarakhand State, the Shalu monks requested His Holiness the Karmapa to bless their seat and also to confer to them religious teachings. During the course of briefing the Karmapa on the special interest His Holiness the Dalai Lama had taken in this Settlement, His Holiness the Karmapa also took deep interest and asked about their future plans for the monastery. On hearing their future plans for the Monastery’s development, His Holiness the Karmapa told the monks about the New Monastery Building at Tilokpur which could be suitable for their Monastery. He felt he could make this offer, provided the Shalu monks first apprise His Holiness the Dalai Lama about this. If His Holiness approved the offer, the Karmapa expressed His wish to donate it to the Shalu Monks. On hearing this, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was greatly moved and praised the Karmapa’s most generous  offer, which showed His Holiness’s deep commitment for the cause of preserving precious Bhulug  Lineage traditions. 

Immediately, Shalu monks relayed this auspicious information to His Holiness the Karmapa, which set the stage for the actual transfer of ownership of the Tilokpur New Monastery to the Shalu Monks. The entire complex of the new monastery built in 2006 at Batoli Village (30 minutes walk from the old monastery) was given to Shalu Monastic Tradition Holder Monks. 

The Senior Monks from Shalu monastery arrived at Tilokpur from their old seat at Paonta Sahib. The majority of the Shalu Monks moved into the New Monastery on 27th April 2018. At present, 55 monks are following rigorous religious and spiritual training and education at the New Monastery under the guidance and mentoring of four senior monks who had escaped to India from the original Shalu Monastery in Tibet at different times. In addition to studying Buddhist dialectics and philosophy and Tibetan language as the core subjects, the monks also learn English, Hindi and Mathematics.