H.H. the Dalai Lama and the Tibet Institute Rikon

Upon the wish of H.H. the Dalai Lama, the Tibet Institute Rikon was founded in 1966 by the brothers Henri and Jacques Kuhn. The institute is under the patronage of H.H. the Dalai Lama who chooses the Abbots and assigns the monastery its duties. Providing for the spiritual needs of Tibetans of all traditions in Switzerland and in Europe, constitutes the main duty of the monks. As is the case in all monasteries in Tibet and in exile, its residence quarters are ready to receive H.H. at any time.

Not having received permission to enter Switzerland on the occasion of the consecration of the monastery, H.H. the Dalai Lama came to Rikon for the first time in 1973. For all Tibetans in Switzerland and Europe, most of whom saw their spiritual leader for the first time in their life, this was a moving event (picture below).

Over the years the Dalai Lama visited his 'outpost' in the west for a total of 15 times: in 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1985 (Kalachakra in Rikon, consecration of the stupa), in 1988 (20th anniversary of the Tibet Institute), 1990, 1993 (25th anniversary of the Tibet Institute, inauguration of the library), 1994, 1995 (60th birthday of H.H.), 1998 (30th anniversary of the Tibet Institute, blessing of the prayer drums), 2005 (picture gallery), 2010 (picture gallery), 2013 (picture gallery) and 2018 (www.tir50.ch).

 

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