Geshe Sopa, founder and abbot of the Deer Park Buddhist Center

The Teacher's New Temple explores how spiritual inspiration has led to committed lives and the building of a new temple at Deer Park Buddhist Center in Wisconsin's Dane County.

In the program, produced by Wisconsin Public Television, viewers meet Geshe Sopa, founder and abbot of the center. Geshe Sopa is a longtime friend of the Dalai Lama and a highly respected Tibetan Buddhist teacher. He entered the monastery at age 9, escaped from Tibet during the Chinese invasion and taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today students travel from all over the world to be inspired by his teachings and to visit the 12-acre center near Oregon.

In 2005, the center undertook the building of a new temple that strove to blend modern environmentally sensitive construction with the work of traditional artisans. Geshe Sopa's dream was to provide a gathering place for the growing number of people from around the world, including Tibetan refugees and Westerners, who were seeking a place to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism.      

The Teacher's New Temple looks at the completed building's symbolic architecture and artwork, which reflects the rich historical lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. Learn how dedicated people gave of their time, skills, materials and financial resources to construct and decorate this unique building that promotes and represents the growth of Tibetan Buddhism in the west.