Parping is a village picturesquely situated in the mountains, about an hour drive from Kathmandu. It is a unique pilgrimage spot for Buddhists. It is there, that the cave where Guru Rinpoche realised the Dorje Phurba sadhana is located. He also spent about a year in a different cave there, where he subdued Tibet's protective deities (The Twelve Tenma). In Parping, there is also the Tara statue self-arising from a rock and the ancient temple of Vajrayogini, where Marpa, on his way to India, received teachings and empowerments from two students of Naropa: Chitherpa and Painda.
In this unique place, Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche's assistants purchased land and offered it to Rinpoche with the intention to establish a drubkhang or a three-year retreat centre there. The construction took about two years and was completed in autumn 1997. The centre was officially consecrated and received the name Benchen Drubde Osal Ling (Benchen Clear Light Retreat Centre). In 1999, sixteen monks commenced the first traditional three-year retreat there, guided by Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche.
Later on, in 2004, both Rinpoches decided to start an institute for higher philosophical studies (shedra) in Parping, to educate monks from Benchen and other monasteries. The project came to fruition owing to His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche's Dharma activities and great efforts.
On 19 February 2007 - even before finishing all construction works and the inauguration ceremony - the first 38 students were accepted. Three days prior to that, Tenga Rinpoche performed special rituals to remove obstacles and grant the success of the studies. He also offered a statue of Manjushree filled with mantras and special substances. Bodhisattva Manjushree is the patron of all those studying: he bestows the ability to comprehend and memorise teachings, sharpness of mind and wisdom.
Benchen shedra, named Benchen Nangten Thösam Ling Institute (BNTL) is the sixth such institution within the Karma Kamtsang tradition set up in exile.
Soon afterwards, the construction of a second retreat centre devoted to Shangpa Kagyu and Kalachakra practices was underway. The buildings are ready, but due to the damages in Benchen monastery in Kathmandu caused by the earthquake, currently some of monks are accommodated in the new centre and the retreat has not yet begun.
The main stupa holding the relics of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche was also built in Parping.
