Sixty-five years ago, a pair of Tibetans fled their country in 1959 after it was invaded by China.
Arriving in a small village in Dumfries and Galloway with a vision to set up a Buddhist monastery to preserve their culture, Samye Ling was built.
One of the co-founders, Akong Rinpoche, oversaw the development of the site until his death in 2013. Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche is now the abbot of the monastery, and continues Akong’s vision. Here are some photos showing some of the grounds and inside the temple at Samye Ling. The monastery operation has grown from just one former shooting lodge to a large temple that can hold up to 500 people, accommodation for resident and visiting monks and nuns, and gardens with various Buddhist and world peace-themed sculptures.
The site is still being developed to this day.
One of the co-founders, Akong Rinpoche, oversaw the development of the site until his death in 2013. Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche is now the abbot of the monastery, and continues Akong’s vision. Here are some photos showing some of the grounds and inside the temple at Samye Ling. The monastery operation has grown from just one former shooting lodge to a large temple that can hold up to 500 people, accommodation for resident and visiting monks and nuns, and gardens with various Buddhist and world peace-themed sculptures.
![Inside the main temple at Samye Ling where teachings and prayers take place.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/27/14/24/20240520_105113.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Inside the temple
Inside the main temple at Samye Ling where teachings and prayers take place. | Katharine Hay
![There is a range of different retreat options at Samye Ling. There are week-long retreats at the monastery's Purelands Retreat Centre, which is half a mile from Samye Ling. These are guided retreats with a balanced daily programme of meditation and teaching sessions. For those wishing to engage in a longer period of retreat, there is the annual Winter Retreat on Holy Isle, where Samye Ling has a centre, or a traditional four-year retreat.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/27/14/32/DSC04403.JPG.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Courses and retreats at Samye Ling
There is a range of different retreat options at Samye Ling. There are week-long retreats at the monastery's Purelands Retreat Centre, which is half a mile from Samye Ling. These are guided retreats with a balanced daily programme of meditation and teaching sessions. For those wishing to engage in a longer period of retreat, there is the annual Winter Retreat on Holy Isle, where Samye Ling has a centre, or a traditional four-year retreat. | Katharine Hay
![Samye Ling is adorned in Buddhist murals and scroll paintings, known as thangkas, which show different aspects of the Buddhist pantheon, including mystic diagrams of Tibetan astrology, pharmacology and theology. The monastery became a base for Sherab Palden Rebu, who died in 2012 aged 101. He was a master artist at the monastery and strove to preserve the traditional, religious art of Tibet.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/27/15/09/20240520_104706.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Artwork at Samye Ling
Samye Ling is adorned in Buddhist murals and scroll paintings, known as thangkas, which show different aspects of the Buddhist pantheon, including mystic diagrams of Tibetan astrology, pharmacology and theology. The monastery became a base for Sherab Palden Rebu, who died in 2012 aged 101. He was a master artist at the monastery and strove to preserve the traditional, religious art of Tibet. | Katharine Hay
![A naga stupa sits in the water at Samye Ling where Moodlaw Burn joins the White Esk. It was built as an offering to the Nagas (protective water spirits). There is another watersmeet 2km south of Castle O'er where the White Esk joins the Black Esk.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/05/27/15/53/DSC04411.JPG.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Naga Stupa
A naga stupa sits in the water at Samye Ling where Moodlaw Burn joins the White Esk. It was built as an offering to the Nagas (protective water spirits). There is another watersmeet 2km south of Castle O'er where the White Esk joins the Black Esk. | Katharine Hay