Thosamling offers a truly unique environment for study, retreat and practice. It is located amongst the fields just outside the rural village of Sidhpur at the foot of the Dhauladhar Ranges. 

Thosamling Temple

Thosamling Temple has a complete set of the Kangyur and Tengyur and is quite different in style to most TibetanTemple’s. Its light spacious feel and the frescoes of the female deity of wisdom, Prajnaparamita and the twenty one Taras make this a very special place. The building of this Temple was completely sponsored by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Above the Gompa is our well appointed library which boasts an impressive collection of texts and books about Buddhism. Much of our Library was funded through the kindness of the Khyentse Foundation, led by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche who like us, is committed to preserving the Buddhadharma from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. We are continually adding new books to our collection and students are encouraged to supplement their course texts by reading widely. 

Opposite the temple, across the pond and gardens are our two accommodation blocks. Here there are comfortable furnished rooms either with shared or private bathrooms available. The rooms are designated silent areas and provide a comfortable place for study, practice or retreat. The rooftops of these buildings are excellent spaces for morning or evening yoga, Tai Chi or walking meditations and have stunning views of both the mountains and the rural landscape.

To the left of the temple is the main building, comprising the office, classrooms, recreation space and dining rooms. These are communal and social spaces where most of the action of Thosamling happens.

Meals at Thosamling are provided three times a day, breakfast, lunch and Dinner. All meals are vegetarian and designed to provide our community with a well balanced, nutritious and tasty variety of food. Much our produce is fresh from our garden grown organically. Meals are available without onion, garlic, milk, eggs or chili for those practitioners with these dietary requirements.

It is important to recognize that Thosamling Institute is not a guest house. The Facilities here are provided for course participants and for those genuinely looking for a place to practice or complete retreats. For this reason there is a minimum stay of one week for guests. To discuss your individual plans and ensure that we have a place for you we require that you make a booking in advance by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Unfortunately at this time Thosamling is unable to provide accommodation for men. Male students stay a short walk away in the village of Sidhpur where there is plentiful private rental accommodation. Men enrolling in courses are encouraged to contact the office so that we can support you in finding village accommodation.

Living within a Buddhist Community

There are several principles residents of Thosamling must abide by while on the property. These help us to live harmoniously together and ensure we place Dharma centrally within our lives. By being particularly mindful of our body, speech and mind, the lay community can assist the ordained to live peacefully within their vows.

• Honour all life - Abstain from intentionally killing any living being
• Honour ownership - Abstain from stealing or taking that which is not freely given
• Honour truth - Abstain from lying
• Honour Spiritual Focus - Abstain from sexual conduct
• Honour Purity - Abstain from intoxicants and smoking
• Dress modestly in accord with a monastic environment.
• Avoid harmful speech - Be constructive in your comments and aim always to use skilful means to increase understanding and find amicable solutions to difficulties.
• Avoid harmful actions – Behave always in a way that demonstrates your respect for others and the Buddha’s teachings.

Staff, residents and guests whose behaviour is not in accordance with these guidelines may be asked to leave.

Those staying at Thosamling for more than one week also should be aware that they are coming to live within an established community. As such they are asked to contribute to group harmony and positive collective karma by engaging in karma yoga and group Dharma practice.

Each person is required to engage in daily karma yoga. This work might be sweeping the temple steps, cleaning the dining room tables or some other task that contributes to the welfare of everyone within Thosamling. The tasks are simple and should take no more than half an hour each day to complete. Those in retreat will be given tasks compatible with their requirements.  We see such activity as an opportunity to create merit as we serve the needs of our Dharma community and contribute to its harmony.

The morning practice session begins each day with optional silent meditation from 5.45am to 6.20am. From 6.20am to  7am morning prayers and dedications are performed by Geshe-la and the nuns. These prayers, common to all four of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions are recited each morning in Tibetan. By practicing together each day we remind ourselves of our shared motivation to benefit all sentient beings and our commitment to support each other in this task.

*These prices are valid from January 2012 on and are subject to change.

*These prices are valid from January 2012 on and are subject to change.

When leaving Thosamling, roomcleaning and loundry service  Rs.  145

A Tibetan Community and an Indian Village

Sidhpur for the most part is a rural Indian village made up of Indian farming families, chai shops and dabas (simple Indian restaurant). There is a growing Tibetan population based mainly around the Norbulingka Institute, which is a centre for Tibetan art and cultural preservation.

Sidhpur itself is ringed by Drolmaling Nunnery and Khamtrul Rinpoche’s Monastery. Gyuto Monastry, the residence of His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa is also only a short walk away. As a result you will often see monks and nuns around town as they make their way to different teachings and ceremonies at other monasteries and nunneries in the local area.

In terms of shopping there are a few small grocery shops that will cover all your basic needs. Small restaurants are beginning to take off serving both Indian and Tibetan food.  There are also a growing number of internet stations for the technology dependant where you can cheaply access email and download.

If you are craving a bit more action and more western food McLeod Ganj, the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a short bus or taxi ride away. Here almost anything is available in terms of food and social activity.

Click here to Apply