Sakya Tibetan Society situated in Puruwala, District Sirmur, Himachal Pradesh, was established by His Holiness Sakya Trizin in 1969. The settlement has members from all the three provinces of Tibet with the majority being from Sakya. When His Holiness came to exile in 1959, many of the families from Sakya also followed His Holiness to India.
The refugees from Sakya remained together and formed a “Sakya Camp” in Sikkim and started their livelihood as road construction laborers for over seven years. In the meantime, for the benefit of the lay community of Sakya, His Holiness was working on an idea to have a permanent place and livelihood for these refugees. In spite of all the hurdles and hardships, His Holiness worked tirelessly and with the encouragement and support from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and financial assistance from European Refugee Campaign, the site for the settlement was purchased in 1967.
In 1969, Sakya Tibetan Society was formally registered as a society and the refugees themselves began construction of the new settlement. For their livelihood, agricultural land was made available and a handicraft centre was also established. The settlement had taken firm root with employment opportunities for everyone. In 1981, Sakya Thubten Namgyal Ling monastery was established, thus fulfilling the religious requirements of the settlers. In 1982 His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited to the settlement of the blessings and formal opening of the new monastery.
Sakya Tibetan Society is now a vibrant and energetic Tibetan refugee settlement in the region. The settlement is fortunate to have the continued blessings and guidance of His Holiness Sakya Trizin since its inception.
source: Palden Sakya News Magazine