Shechen Monastery at Bodhgaya, India

For Tibetan tradition Buddhists, an important temple not to miss in Bodhgaya will be Shechen Monastery built by the Great Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
It is just less than 10 minutes' walk straight from the MahaBodhi Temple, a few doors away from the Chinese temple. One is welcomed by a serene atmosphere once one walks through the gates.

Path to the admin building, resident quarters of the monks and Guesthouse (Yes! and I heard it is at reasonable rates and always full during peak pilgrim season)

The Memorial Stupa for Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche with a picture of him below (both pictures of Dilgo Rinpoche with their crown were taken from pictures hang on the wall of the admin office)

And this is his present reincarnation : Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche.

(Caught a picture of the friendly Rinpoche before his departure for Nepal :-) )

If Rinpoche does not travel, one can register at the Admin office to have an audience/interview with him between 1-2pm.

(If it is the first time one hears about both Dilgo Rinpoche, it is recommended to read the book or watch the documentary : Brilliant Moon (which is an autobiography of Dilgo Rinpoche) or facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dilgokhyentseshechen or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dilgo-Khyentse-Yangsi-Rinpoche/226315370736444?fref=ts to get a better understanding so that when one visits him, one pays the due respect (I must repent I was ignorant of any history when I tagged along with my Tibetan Buddhist friends, it was until much later I read and watched Brilliant Moon :P) ) 

Oh, one recommendation by friends is to offer butter lamps at Shechen Monastery which they say the quality is much better. This could be requested at the Admin office and one may personally visit the butter lamp houses just beside the Stupa to light the lamps personally. 

Rejoice for the many lamps we had lighted. :-) 

May the lights of Wisdom dispel the darkness of ignorance,

May All Beings Be Well & Happy

May Bodhgaya continue to be serene...

For information on vegetarian food at Bodhgaya, one may visit this page:

http://vegefoodhunt.blogspot.sg/search/label/Oversea%20Delights-India-Gaya