
Nalanda’s monastic community
Within our community of 28 monks, many have been committed to Nalanda for more than ten years with some approaching twenty years. More recently over the last eighteen months or so, at least five men in their early thirties have joined our monastic community with four taking ordination here. Additionally, the number of Nalanda monks on the FPMT registered teachers list is also increasing.
Originally, since 1981, Nalanda consisted of one old French manor house. Since 2008 Nalanda uses the public building built by Jean-Francois Bergevin. After we developed a Masters Plan, with great help from architect Martijn Prins, a third building was constructed. This is now our second monk’s residence.

Monks attending Masters program class
Since 2013 we have been joined by Geshe Gyaltsen and also offer two full-time FPMT study programs: Master program and Basic program.
Both programs are attended by monks, nuns and lay students. Most years we enjoy visits from high lamas for example, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khandro-la or Ganden Tri Rinpoche.
In order to preserve the Vinaya tradition the bi-monthly So Jong ritual and the yearly Yarne and Gayay are maintained. During the annual Rains retreat, Geshe Gyaltsen is also teaching a Vinaya text to all Gelongs.
Nalanda Monastery has an increasing potential to be instrumental in preserving the tradition in the West. Rinpoche recently said during the Vajrayogini retreat that “he would like Nalanda monks to go Kopan and participate in the Monlam prayer festival, and that he would like to see the prayers for the festival being translated into English”. For both a sponsor was found immediately and it seems Rinpoche would like Nalanda to organize a prayer festival in the west in the future.

Monks helping in the kitchen
All Nalanda’s monks participate in daily prayers and in the large pujas for example Tara Puja, Sixteen Arhats Puja and Medicine Buddha Puja which are held weekly.
Enhancing the local monastic community further, in 2018 a nunnery, Dorje Pamo, was opened, which is located only 5 miles (8 km) from Nalanda.