Not from there but yes, there are a few monasteries there of Nyingma (Dudjom Tersar), Drukpa and Drikung Kagyu traditions. (they aren't actually that old, all being established (at least in their current form) after the Tibetan diaspora). There is also a retreat area up on the hills near the main Guru Rinpoche cave with lots of serious practitioners in caves, mainly Nyingma, with a Nyingma ani gompa too.JonathanB wrote:Tso Pema was where I was first thinking a few months ago. It seemed like there would be long established monasteries considering Guru Rinpoche was from there.
Ontrul Rinpoche is probably the your best bet there (if he isn't travelling), given that he lives there. He leads a Yangzab Dzogchen programme for western students, I think. But there are other lamas that come and go. Whilst I was in the area a Nyingma lama gave Nyingthig Yabshi empowerments and Yeshe Lama instructions.
It's a really great place to practice, but not necessarily always good for teachings, but every where is hit and miss in that regard as lamas tend to move about. If you could work out exactly when you are going and what lamas you want to see you could always email their monasteries to find out if they will be around at that time. It would be a shame to go all the way to India to see a lama only to find they are travelling to teach at your home town the same time you are there.
One reason I recommended Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, et al. is because Ka Nying Shedrup Ling posts teachings on-line and you can remain in touch when you come back home. It would also be a shame to establish a profound connection only to have to leave and never see them again.
