05/10/2026
The Search for Zandokpalri — Padmasambhava's Copper‑Colored Mountain Talk and presentation
by Mike Farmer
at Lekdanling and on zoom on Saturday 14th November at 17.30.
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We're excited to share that Mike Farmer will be presenting a fascinating exploration into the origins and history of Zangdokpalri, the Pure Realm of Padmasambhava's Copper-Colored Mountain.
This talk will take us on a journey through the spectacular architectural tradition of Zangdokpalri in Tibet, beginning with a newly photographed and rarely studied treasure: the Border Taming Temple, Mangyul Jamtrin Lhakhang. Remarkably, this ancient structure appears to predate Padmasambhava's legendary visit to Tibet by at least 150 years, during the reign of King Trisongdetsen.
We'll then follow the evolution of the Zangdokpalri form through the centuries, including its magnificent nineteenth‑century recreation at Katok, which has inspired a wave of new temple construction across Tibet. Yet, this revival comes at a difficult time, as ongoing persecution casts a shadow over these cultural efforts.
There is a direct connection between the story of this lecture and the recent terrible flooding on the Trisuli River in Nepal and Tibet. Mangyul Jamtrin Lhakhang is located close to the Upper Trisuli River in Tibet. Other monuments such as the ancient Buddha Stupa Thuman, at Rasuagadhi, further south on the Trisuli River, have almost certainly been destroyed. This is of little concern in the face of the overwhelming human tragedy of the Trisuli floods, but it reminds us that the Himalayas are a very fragile environment and the time for their study and preservation may be running out.
Join us for a rich and eye‑opening look at a lineage of architecture, devotion, and history that continues to shape Tibetan culture today.
The talk is open to everyone. We are pleased to share with you that all donations collected during the talk will be offered to ASIA, a nonprofit organisation affiliated with the Dzogchen Community and founded by late Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.
For many years, ASIA has played a vital role in supporting Tibetan and Himalayan communities by establishing health centres, schools, clean water systems, and other essential infrastructure across Tibet and Nepal. At present, ASIA is actively engaged on the ground in Nepal, assisting local communities in rebuilding their homes and restoring basic services following the recent disaster.
We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Dorota Dylka, who has donated the photographic works from her recent exhibition, Echoes of the Hidden Light, held at Lekdanling. The artwork will be on display at Lekdanling and proceeds from sale of these pieces will likewise be directed toward ASIA's humanitarian initiatives in Nepal and Tibet.
Following the talk, you are warmly invited to join us for a small gathering with snacks and w**e. This will provide an opportunity for informal chat with Mike regarding his research, as well as with Dorota about her artistic work.
If you attend online, please donate to the cause through the link
https://dona.asia-ngo.org/nepalemergency/
We look forward to sharing this meaningful and enjoyable evening with you.
DCUK Gakyil and Lekdanling team
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Michael Farmer is a retired architect who has worked on many major international projects such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. He has also been involved with Tibetan culture for many years. His maps have appeared in many publications, including the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism (Wisdom 1991) and the Tibet Handbook (Footprint 1996). Among other projects he has recently completed An Atlas of the Tibetan Plateau (Brill 2022) and a unique study of Tibetan Geoglyphs presented to IATS 2022. He also very recently gave a major presentation to the "Naming and Renaming Place" conference at the Humboldt University, Berlin, entitled "Surveying the Silenced", describing the devastating mapping of Tibet over the last 100 years. He has designed several Tibetan gonpas, including the major Lhakhang of Shechen Monastery in Nepal. He is currently working on producing maps and geographic research for the forthcoming study of the Journal of Dudjom Rinpoche with Dr Cathy Cantwell and is continuing research into the ancient "Border Taming Temples" of Tibet.
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