Editing Rumtek Monastery (section)

==History==
Originally built under the direction of [[Changchub Dorje, 12th Karmapa Lama]] in the mid-18th century,<ref>{{cite journal |first=Achary Tsultsem |last=Gyatso |translator=Saul Mullard and Tsewang Paljor 
|url=http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/bot/pdf/bot_2005_02_03.pdf |title=A Short Biography of Four Tibetan Lamas and Their Activities in Sikkim |journal=Bulletin of Tibetology |number=41 |date=February 2005 |page=57}}</ref> Rumtek served as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage in [[Sikkim]] for some time. But when [[Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa]], arrived in Sikkim in 1959 after fleeing [[Tibet]], the monastery was in ruins. Despite being offered other sites, the Karmapa decided to rebuild Rumtek. To him, the site possessed many auspicious qualities and was surrounded by the most favorable attributes. For example, flowing streams, mountains behind, a snow range in front, and a river below. With the generosity and help of the Sikkim royal family and the local folks of Sikkim, it was built by the 16th Karmapa as his main seat in [[exile]].

After four years, construction of the monastery was completed. The sacred items and relics brought out from [[Tsurphu Monastery]], the Karmapa's seat in Tibet, were installed. On [[Losar]] in 1966, the 16th Karmapa officially inaugurated the new seat, called "The Dharmachakra Centre", a place of erudition and spiritual accomplishment, the seat of the glorious Karmapa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2022 |title=Rumtek Monastery also called the Dharmachakra Center |url=https://www.sikkim.com/news-documentary/Rumtek-Monastery-also-called-the-Dharma-Chakra-Centre,-is-a-monastery-located-in-Rumtek,East-Sikkim.-It-is-the-seat-in-exile-of-the-Gyalwang-Karmapa,-inaugurated-in-1966-by-the-16th-Karmapa.-It-is-also-one-of-the-main-tourist-attractions-in-Sikkim./143591199247394068411567530544047870308 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=www.sikkim.com}}</ref>

The monastery is currently the largest in Sikkim.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} It is  home to the community of monks and where they perform the rituals and practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage. A golden [[stupa]] contains the  relics of the 16th Karmapa. Opposite that building is a college, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Rumtek is located {{convert|24|km}} from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, at an altitude of about {{convert|1500|m}}.