Construction of the present-day Namkha Khyungdzong Monastery in Yalbang, Humla began in 1985. In the 1970s, the Second Degyal Rinpoche was traveling through the area when he stopped and pointed at a large bolder in a dense patch of forest. “This is the head of an elephant,” he said. “I will build a monastery here and hold Vajrakilaya drupchens.” He spoke these words to Pukmoche Lama Gyaltsen, Captain Tsetop, and the others accompanying him.

At the time, however, not a single person had any intention of building a monastery—nor could anyone have imagined that a monastery like the one that stands here today would one day built. The words of the Second Degyal Rinpoche were a prophecy of what was to come.

In 1985, construction began in accordance with Degyal Rinpoche’s vision and the heartfelt wish of Tsewang Rinpoche. Seeing that the Namkha Khyungdzong teachings were falling into decline, he knew that establishing a monastery dedicated to upholding the lineage was essential. So, with Tsewang Rinpoche leading the project, Gyepa Rinpoche, Tulku Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche, and Captain Tsetop began the construction using whatever resources they could find. From that point onward, Tulku Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche assumed primary responsibility for the monastery and, in time, completed the construction of the main temple and its inner shrine supports.

Since then, the monastery has grown into a flourishing center for the study and practice of the Nyingma teachings in general, and the Namkha Khyungdzong lineage in particular. It is home to more than 350 monks and 150 nuns—who now have their own nunnery, Pema Odsal Choling —as well as a large community of lay practitioners.

Surrounding the main temple are school buildings, sports fields, monks’ quarters, the Teaching Temple (Chötri Lhakhang), shedra buildings, storerooms, a dining hall, kitchen, bathrooms, Rinpoche’s retreat house and residence, the Bodhi Stupa (Jangchup Chorten), a Hundred-Syllable Mantra Prayer Wheel, and a temple for offering lamps.

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