About Us
Before we tell you about how Drukpa Penang was set up and how it re-emerged after a massive fire that burned down the entire center in April 2005, let us take you through some of the basic topics:
The idea of establishing a spiritual practice center in Penang was first initiated by His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa, the Supreme Head of the Drukpa Lineage. He gave the name, Druk Tharpa Choling, meaning Dharma Liberation Garden with the hope that anyone coming to join in the spiritual practice at Druk Tharpa Choling (also known as Drukpa Penang) would eventually be liberated from samsaric sufferings.
Drukpa Penang was officially inaugurated by His Eminence Zhichen Bairo Rinpoche, the father of His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa.
This 150-year-old premise was renovated to replace ceiling beams and pipes. It has since been fully restored to house an Amitabha statue, flanked by the Four Armed Avalokiteshvara on the left and Guru Padmasambhva on its right.
Then in April 2005, a fire broke out, perhaps caused by some of the hidden aged wiring in the building, and this unexpected event caught many people's attention. Luckily, Drukpa Penang's resident lama, Gelong Yontan, escaped without hurting himself. Here are some photographs from the press:
How it looks now (the selected photographs were taken during His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa's visit in April 2007):
We have a long way to go... Thank you all for staying with us all these years... Live to Love!!
Gelong Ngawang Yontan, the present resident lama of Drukpa Penang
About Penang
The island of Penang is fondly known by the locals as the Pearl of the Orient. It lies off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, covering an area of 285 sq kmand a narrow strip of approximately 760 sq km on the mainland known as Seberang Perai(Province Wellesley), which is separated by a channel 3 km wide at the closest point. They are linked by the Penang Bridge and a cross-channel ferry service.
Here are some informative websites on Penang, click for more:
Get to Drukpa Penang
Click image for larger view of map in PDF format
Drukpa Penang is located right in the heart of George Town, in close proximity to the ferry terminal, and it is walking distance from bus terminal, banks, post office, money changers, restaurants, shopping centers and many food stalls.
Cititel and Bayview Hotels are the two very good hotels, within walking distance from Drukpa Penang. Around the same area, there are also many budget hotels, motels and guesthouses for backpackers.