Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini over 2,500 years ago. A small town in the Terai of southern Nepal, Lumbini stands as one of the four major pilgrimage sites for over 500 million Buddhists around the world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it hosts monasteries representing diverse Buddhist traditions from many countries.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the father of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, envisioned building a “Thousand Buddha Temple” in Lumbini. The purpose was to support a monastic community at the site of the Buddha’s birth and to extend a warm welcome to the hundreds of thousands of international pilgrims who visit annually. In September 2011, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche initiated the construction of the Thousand Buddha Temple to manifest this magnificent vision.
After over a decade of dedicated efforts, the temple was formally inaugurated by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche in 2024 on the auspicious occasion of Lhabab Düchen and is now nearing full completion.
At the heart of the temple’s main shrine hall stand the Buddhas of the three times—past, present, and future—surrounded by one thousand gilded Buddha statues. In this sacred space, a single prostration or offering carries the merit of offering to one thousand Buddhas, making the temple a uniquely powerful support for Dharma practice.
While the main shrine has been consecrated, important final work remains, including the completion of retreat and accommodation facilities for monks, pilgrims, and lay practitioners.
By supporting the completion of Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling, you participate directly in the creation of a sacred place that will benefit practitioners and pilgrims for generations to come.
SDF extends an invitation to everyone to share in this vast merit by making even a small offering.