Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery

USA, New York, Woodstock

The site for the monastery was bought by the abbot of the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, in 1978. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1982, and in 1989 the Buddha statues were consecrated. The monastery was officially opened in 1995. It is the main seat in North America of the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa.
The monastery occupies 10 ha. The principal structures are the main hall, Freedom of Life Pond, relic pagoda, library, and private retreat rooms. The main hall is two stories high and most of its architectural and interior design, including paintings and sculptures, were created by Tibetan artists and volunteers. The hall houses a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and is decorated with the eight auspicious symbols as well as various mantras. The ceiling of the hall is painted with lotuses and the Six-Syllable Mantra, “om mani padme hum.” The building also contains the Karma Kagyu Institute, a translation center which offers Tibetan and Sanskrit language classes for local people.