Refuge at Rumtek
Karmapa travelled to New Delhi, where he met Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru the Indian Prime Minister. Pandit Nehru fully understood the difficulties faced by Karmapa's followers and promised that the Indian Government would provide financial assistance for the construction of the new monastic center. He made assurances that there would be a free supply of food and clothing for the people there.
The Maharaja of Sikkim graciously gifted seventy-four acres of land at Rumtek to The Gyalwa Karmapa, in perpetuity. The Sikkim Government generously donated funds towards the preliminary construction costs and provided free timber. A motorable road was made, electric cables brought in and water provided.
The Government of India made a large grant for the immediate construction of an assembly-hall and for residential quarters for the monks. Despite the generosity of so many people these funds were insufficient for the purpose, so Karmapa added a huge amount from his own resources. Work on clearing the site began 1962.
There were many casual laborers not included in this figure. The foundation stone of the new monastic center was laid by the new Ruler of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal. It took four years to complete the construction of the new center, designed in the most beautiful traditional Tibetan style. It was named ’Pal-Karmapa-Densa-Shed-Drup- Chos-Khor -Ling', meaning ‘The Seat of His Holiness The Gyalwa Karmapa: A Center for the Teaching and Practice of the Dharma.'
The rare treasured religious relics, icons and books brought from Tibet were installed in the new monastery. On the first day of the first month of the fire horse year (1966). The Gyalwa Karmapa ceremonially entered the new Center. It was a magnificent and highly auspicious occasion.
In 1967 Karmapa, accompanied by a party of ninety-five followers, visited Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, at the request of His Majesty the late King. During the course of his stay in Bhutan he visited Tak Tsang, the ,Tiger's nest' cave-monastery, famous for the visit of Guru Padmasambhava. He also travelled to the Kyichu temple in Paro, there performing special rites for peace and tranquillity in the world and for the preservation and propagation of the Dharma everywhere. His Royal Highness the late King and Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother most generously presented the Tashi Chos Ling palace at Bumthang, together with its entire landed property, to Karmapa, who proposes to start a large Dharma Center there.
 The New Rumtek Monastery |  |