The great & noble wish
When Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche first taught in Denmark, it was on the island of Samsø. Hundreds of international meditators gathered to receive his detailed teachings on Gampopa’s Precious Garland. Inspired by the joy and sincerity of the participants, Rinpoche said, “Let’s find a place, so people now and in generations to come have a sanctuary to study and practice Buddhadharma.” This heartfelt wish marked the beginning of Gomde.
In keeping with tradition, a spiritual place is given an auspicious name. Rinpoche chose Rangjung Yeshe Gomde, meaning “Practice Center for Self-Existing Wakefulness.” From that moment, he began teaching annually in Denmark.
Gomde was officially founded in 1995, inspired by the success of the 1994 Cloudless Summer Camp on Samsø. Early in 1995, the search for a suitable location led to an abandoned farm at the foot of Tornbjerg (“Thorn Mountain”) on the Helgenæs peninsula. With the blessings of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, the property was purchased on June 15, 1995—a date auspiciously coinciding with the anniversary of Chokgyur Lingpa’s treasure teachings. Since then, Gomde has flourished year by year, sustained by the love, care, and tireless efforts of countless volunteers.
You can read the public announcement from when Gomde was purchased here: Gomde Has Been Bought.
Vision
Gomde Denmark is dedicated to preserving and sharing the Buddha’s authentic teachings on love and inner freedom. As a living focal point for study and practice, everyone at Gomde offers their heart to make these timeless teachings accessible to all, regardless of background or experience.
The key vision of Gomde is to help people discover freedom from within—not as a distant theory, but as an actual and transformative experience. Dharma is about us and our lives, offering universal methods that are relevant and applicable to everyone.
Guided by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s vision, Gomde Denmark is planning exciting new developments. Rinpoche has envisioned the creation of a large new temple to serve as a central space for teachings, meditation, and practice. Additionally, plans are underway for a dedicated retreat area with small, individual cabins, offering practitioners a secluded space. By the lakes, a new building called the Lotus House is being designed, with many new rooms to accommodate practitioners and guests.
Here you can read some core values of Gomde, formulated by the community, some years back.
- Openness: Creating a welcoming space for experienced practitioners, beginners, Buddhists, and non-Buddhists alike, where everyone can explore the transformative insights of Buddha.
- Authenticity: Upholding the unbroken lineage of Buddhist teachings through guidance from highly qualified teachers, lamas, nuns and monks.
- Retreat and Practice: Giving opportunities for both individual and group retreats in the precious lineage of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.
- Community: Building a vibrant and supportive community where practitioners can grow and thrive together, in love and mutual respect.
- Connection to Nature: Honouring the innate beauty of nature by avoiding harmful methods of cultivation, building and cooking.
- Integration: Encouraging the practice to be embodied in all aspects of life, and reaching out to those in need with generosity and inclusivity.
