Katok Dorjé Den
The oldest of the Six "Mother" Nyingma monasteries, Katok Dorje Den was founded by Katok Dampa Deshek (1122-1192), younger brother of Phagmodrupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170), in 1159, above Horpo, in East Tibet. The site represents the main sacred place of enlightened activity. After the original monastery had fallen into disrepair, a new monastery was built on the site in 1656 by Rigdzin Düddul Dorje (1615-1672) and Rigdzin Longsal Nyingpo (1625-1692). The monastery has always had a reputation for fine scholarship and produced some of the greatest scholars in Tibetan history, such as Katok Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu (1698-1755) and Getse Pandita Gyurme Tsewang Chokdrup (b. 1761). More recently, Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso (1880-1925) and Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (1879-1941) were among the greatest lamas associated with the monastery.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
