Thupten Dorje Drak Aewam Chokgar Chökhor Namgyal Ling is one of the six main monasteries of the Nyingma (Early Translation) school. Its religious lineage primarily upholds the terma teachings of the tertön Rigzin Gödem, along with the kama and terma traditions of the Nyingma school. The seat was first established in 1610 by Rigzin Ngagi Wangpo. The name “Dorje Drak” (Vajra Rock) comes from the naturally occurring image of a turquoise vajra cross on the mountain behind the monastery. In the past, it was renowned for its extensive study of sutra and tantra texts, as well as the three wheels of activity, with over two thousand disciples.

Afterward, His Holiness Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, in order to preserve the name and lineage of Thupten Dorje Drak, reestablished the monastery in Simla, northern India, in 1984.

The main statue in Monastery is a Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Guru Padmasambhava, Also Thousand-Eyed (arms) Avalokiteshvara and the Stupa which represent Victory Monument. The scripture repository houses the Kangyur and Tengyur, the words and teachings of the Buddha.

Monthly and yearly traditional ritual practices and festivals are held on the tenth and twenty-fifth days of each month. Observances such as the purification ceremonies on the Full moons, summer retreats, and fasting practices are regularly observed.

In the basic monastic institute, students learn everything from writing and reading to ritual practices and traditions. At the Thubten Lungtok Shedrup Pende Ling, the college of the Early Translation School, students study the major texts (treatise on Buddhist Philosophy) for nine years. At the Tegchok Ösel Ling retreat center, three-year, three- root retreats are practice. With nearly two hundred monks, this is a great monastery dedicated to the study, practice, and propagation of the precious teachings of Buddha’s scripture and realization through study, contemplation and meditation.