Tibet Tours: Monasteries in Tibet

TASHI LHUNPO MONASTERY

is the seat of the Penchen Lama, built in 15th century by the first Dalai Lama,called Gedun Drub. On the slops of Drolmari, situated to the west of the fortress of Shigatse Dzong. The monastery is composed of 3 big colleges such as Tsennyi college, Ngapa college,Tse Gonkang college and one big assembly hall with numerous chapels around. The main object of the monastery are the giant gilled copper statue of the Future Buddha Maitreya which is (26Meters) high, built in 1914, embodying loving kindness, contains 6,700 teals of gold and 150 metric tons of copper, and within it, an enormous juniper tree from Reting monastery functions as a life-supporting axis, Sok-Shing in Tibetan, The tomb sutpas of the successive Penchen Lamas, the tomb of the 4 th, 10 th and from those of 5 th to the 9 th together respectively. There are around 500 monks nowadays.

SHALU MONASTERY

SHALU MONASTERY was originally built in the 11 th century by Jetsun Sherap Jungne of Shangshung and renovated with monastery extension in 15 th century by Gonpopel, Drakpa Gyeltsen and Buton Rinchendrup with the financial aids, provided by the Mongolian Emperor, Oljadu. Shalu’s construction style is differed from those of other monasteries in Tibet that it has a Chinese style roof, made of yellow and green glazed turquoise tiles with porcelain relief carvings and it murals are painted in Niwari, Chinese and Tibetan styles. The monastery is three storeys high and it has one assembly hall with some chapels on both ground and upper floors. The main object of the monastery is the black stone statue of Chenresig Kasrapani. Shalu has 65 monks nowadays

PALCHOE MONASTERY & KUBUM STUPA

was founded in 14 th century by local Chieftain, Rebtan Kunsang for funeral of his mother's death and it was once a complex of 15 monasteries that brought together three different Tibetan Buddhist sects in the one compound. Nine of the monasteries were for Gelukpa Sect, Three were for Sakyapa Sect and the rest three were for Botonpa Sect which is one of the minor orders in Tibetan Buddhism. At the present day, the monastery is composed of one main assembly hall and some small chapels, inhabited by 70 monks. The Kubum Pagoda stupa was also built in 14th century by Rabten Kunsang. The Stupa is nine storey high and 75 chapels, dedicated to the murals and statues, describing the tantric Tibetan Buddhism.

SAMYE MONASTERY

located 210Km south of Lhasa and it is the first monastery of Tibet, built in 8 th century by the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen under the patronage of Pedmasamvawa and Shatarakshita. Samye's design was based on that of the Odantapuri temple of Bihar in India and is a mandalic symbol of the universe. The central temple represents Mt Meru known as Sumeru in Sanskrit and the temples around it represent oceans, the continents and the sub-continents that surround the mountain in Buddhist cosmology. The monastery has around 170 monks nowadays.

GANDEN MONASTERY

is situated 60Km east of Lhasa and it was founded in the 14 th century by Tsongka pa himself, named after the paradise of the future Budha Maitreya. Ganden was the first and leading Geluk pa monastery, constructed by Tsongkapa himself. The monastery has two main colleges known as Shartse ( east point ) and Jangtse ( North point ) were respectively founded by two of Tsongka pa's closest disciples, Namka Pel Sangpo Neten Rongyelwa. There is also a tantric college, established by another of Tsongka Pa's students. Je Sherap Senge.

SERA MONASTERY

was founded in around 15th century by Jamchen Choeje who is another famous disciple of Tsongka pa and it is the second largest monastery of Tibet. There are three big colleges with numerous chapels and house chapels. The most attraction to visit this monastery is to see the monks debating which hold from 3-5Pm everyday apart from Sunday

DREPUNG MONASTERY

DREPUNG MONASTERY is the largest monastery in Tibet, built in the 15 th century by Jamyang Choeje who is one of Tsongkapa's foremost disciple. The monastery is beautifully located up in a hill at the distance of 7 Km from the old section of the city and it is the biggest monastery in Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery has four main colleges with numerous small chapels and house chapels, known as Khangtsen in Tibetan. There are around six hundred monks nowadays.

PALYUL NAMGYEL JANGCHUBLING

was built at the village of Palyul in 1665 by the King of Derge, Lachen Jampa Phuntsok who appointed Rigdzing Kunzang Sherap as it’s first throne holder and it was originally connected with Kagyupa sect but nowadays it has a very big influence of Nyingmapa sect. The temples of Palyul were constructed on the slopes below the peak of Dzongnang and the ridge Dago Osel Lhari. Among them the most important was the Lhasarkang, constructed by Kunzang Sherap himself and containing a gilded copper image of Shakyamuni in the form of Jowo Yishin Norbu as well as the frescos of Namcho deities.

Gonlung Jampa Ling

The site of Gonlung Jampa Ling was originally chosen by the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso and then the 4th Dala Lama on wards started to build the monastery. The monastery used to have many famous Tibetan scholars such as Changkya Rope Dorje, etc. There is the most beautiful landscape of pies of mustered fields, blooming in yellow followers. The monastery is located in the Huzhu Xian and the majority population is Tu tribe.

Gonggar Choede Monastery

Gonggar Choede monastery, which was built in 1464, belongs to the Zung branch (meaning grey earth ) of the Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The principal founder of the Dzongpa Tradition was Dorje Chang Kunga Namgyal (1432–1496). The main monastery of the Dzongpa is Gongkar Chode just south-west of Lhasa on the south side of the Tsangpo River at the distance of 55Km from Lhasa. In the 16th century, the monastery was beautified with wall paintings of the Khyenri school of Tibetan paintings done by the well-known artist of the times, Jamyang Khyentse Wangchuk The history of the monastery is traced to the first visit of Jowo-je Palden Atisha (980–1054 CE), Buddhist teacher from the Pala Empire. During his first visit, Atisha had stopped close to the location of the monastery, prostrated in the direction of the monastery and prophesised that one day a monastery would be built at this location, which would become famous. He had marked the location with a mound of white pebbles in the form of a Mandala (this mound got destroyed during the Cultural Revolution). The Dzong was under the stewardship of Dorje-denpa Kun-ga Namgyal also known as Dorje Chang Kunga Namgyal (1432–1496), who was a well-known Guru who had received training in the Sutra, Tantra and Tantric rituals from masters of all traditions. He was the holder of the Dzongpa tradition of the Sakyapa school of Tibetan Bhuddism. When he was sitting on the roof of his house in the Gongkar Dzong, while reciting the religious scripture, the Vajradhatu, a leaf of the scripture was flown away by wind and it fell at a location where the present Gongkar Choede Monastery is located. It is mentioned that between Gongkar and Tsetang there are seven gompas of the Sakyapa sect, including the Gongkar Dorjeden, known as Gongar Choede, the pillar of Sakyapa power, to the south of the Tsongpo valley. Gonggar Choede monastery is three storey’s high and the assembly hall is dedicated to the old paintings and three big statues of Sakya Pendita, Shakyamuni and Guru Rinpoche. The monastery survived many beautiful old wall painting date back to the 16th Century. It is worthwhile to spend some time with torch to explore the wall painting both in the main assembly hall and on the second floors. The Gongkar Monastery also became famous because it was here that the artistic Central Tibetan painting of Kyenri originated.

Dzokchen monastery

Dzokchen monastery is located in a small beautiful valley with rocky capped mountain. It has main assembly hall, Zangthok Peri and some other temples. The monastery has around 600 monks nowadays.

Dzamthang Monastery

Jonang Culture centre which is within Dzamthang. From the junction, we drove 15Km to Jonang culture centre through a beautiful valley with full of typical Tibetan styled houses whch are extremely beautiful. There are three monasteries at Jonang culture centre which are Tsechu, Choeje and Sangnga Gompa. Among them, the oldest monastery today is Choeji and the assembly hall of Choeji is old and it has many old Thangka and Statues. In the upper part of Choeji, an old statue of Shakyamuni. Underneath the statue, you can go and do clockwise direction around the pillar under the statue in order to get blessing and get rid of once’s bad karmic action. It is said that the statue is always not be able to be taken nice photos. The three monasteries are all together and the most upper part or on the left side is Tsechu Gompa and the main statue is also Bhuddha Shykyamuni and an old statue of Dolpopa who is the main lineage of Jonangpa. The middle one is Choeji which is the oldest one. The last one or the biggest one is Sang Nga. It is a newly re-built monastery and there is a big tomb stupa of the monastery Lama who passed away. There are beautiful wall painting of Kalachakara and it’s attendents, Bhuddha’s life sotry. The forth floor chaple is dedicated to the great masters from different orders in Tibet. Fifth floor is the library and printing boards shelfs. The top floor is dedicated to a mandala of Tara. Next to this temple, there is a temple of a huge Maitreya Bhuddha. There are also a tantric college and philosophical college where they call Shedra and Drupdra nowadays. Joangpa order is said to be started from Dolpopa based on Bhudha Shakyamuni teachings. Dolpopa is the first lineage of Jonangpa and now they are 47th lineages. Dolpopa was born in Dolpo in Nepal. Jonangpa is mainly practising Tantra and they have a very deep source of Kalachakara practice and meditation. They are building a giant new mandala of Kalachakara which will be the world’s largest Kalachakara Mandala.

Dunggar monastery

Dunggar monastery in the west of the county. It was built on a hill side and has a very beautiful newly built assembly hall and a golden stupas. The ground, first and second floors of the stupa re dedicated to different statues of different sects. As soon as we enter the gate of the monastery, there is a representative Sakar Guthok of Mila Repa which is also nine storeys high. To the left of the Sekar Guthok, there are two beautiful Mani Lhakang and some prayer flag poles covered by numerous prayer flags. The secenery of the Serta nomad camp from the monastery is also dramatic.

Drotsang Monastery

Drotsang monastery was built 6 hundred years back by one of the famous Lama called Drotsang Dorje Chang who was born in the village near by Lhasa. The main object of Drotsang monastery is the statue of Dorje Chang. The monastery was built in mostly in Chinese styles with more wood achitecture. They have very beautiful typical architecture. Nowadays they have around 10 monks. There is a very big ancient Dram which was 600 hundred years history and there is rock made Mandal which has 4 hundred years history.

Darkar Terdzong

Darkar Terdzong was originally a sacred mountain where there is a big cave of Guru Rinpo Che. As a history goes, Some evila spirits escaped from Tso Ngonpo and admitted in Darkar Terdzong and they did many evil deeds. By the time, Guru Rinpo Che transformed into a man with a monkey head and took meditation in the cave. When he completed the meditation, miraculasly hit his Vajra to the roof of the cave and made a hole. He got out of the cave through the hole and defeated those evil spirits and since then it became a very sacred cave and mountain. Darkar Terdzong means a man with a monkey head. After that in around 15th Century, Tsongkapa also came to the site and used to give teachings there. We could see a big rock throne of Tsongkap while we are doing outer Kora. There are a no of sacred caves around the outer Kora and if we visit all the caves, it will take us around 5 hrs to complete the outer Kora.

Atsok Gompa

The Atsok Gompa is located at the bank of Yellow river bend. It is also a Gelukpa monastery. From Samthang la to the junction to Xinghai Xian is 20Km and then 27Km to Xinghai

Traling Monastery

We will drive to Traling monastery which is at the distance of 15Km. The monastery was located in a beautiful grassland up in a mountain slop and the monastery was richly built. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and it has around hundred years history. There is a big assembly hall, one giant stupa, Sangthok Pelri and some other small chaples. There is a big sky burial which is the main burial in the region of Golok.. The main abbots or teachers fo the monastery are Tenpei Ngima who is 82 years old, Pedma Lodro who is 83 years old and Yeshi Pelsang who is 93 years old.

Taglung Monastery

Taglung monastery was founded in the 13th century as the seat of the Taglung school in Kagyupa order. According to the history, at one time, it may have housed some 7000 monks but nowadays it has around over hundred monks. The most important object of the monastery was its’s Tsuglakkang, also known as red Palace.

Serta Monastery

Serta monastery or Lharong Gar which is to the east of Serta county at the distance of 20Km. We took the main high way to Chengdu and after 20Km, turn left and entered a big gate of the monastic university of Lharong Gar. It is the biggest monastic university which I have ever seen. The university is fully spread all over a whole valley. It is divided into two sections, monastery and nunnery. There is a border between the nunnery and monastery that the monks are not allowed to enter nunnery gate and nuns are not allowed to enter monastery gate. There are two main big halls with golden roofs where one is used for monks to study and another one is used for nuns to study. Both of them have third floors and second and third floors have many rooms which are used for different classes including Tibetan medicine. There are over 10000 including both monks and nuns coming from different regions of Tibet and main land China. The best view for photos is from Zangthok Pelri stupa. Just next to Zangtok Pelri stupa, there is a monastery guest house too. Both nunnery and monastery do not have any statues like other monastery or nunnery in the assembly halls.They are just calss rooms like normal universities.

Damding Monastery

Samding monastery was originally a nunnery but nowadays, the monastery has mostly monks. The monastery is located to the south east of nakartse county at the distance of 10Km. The monastery was the seat of Samding Dorjee Phakmo who was the highest re-incarnation of the female in Tibetan Bhuddhism. Samding monastery is a Nyingmapa sect nowadays and it has a dozens of monks to stay in. The most important object of the monastery is the tomb stupas of the successive of Samding Dorjee Phakmo.

Ralung Monastery

Ralung monastery is the seat of Dukpa Kagyupa order and it was founded in around 12th century. The monastery is located to the south east of the main road just after crossing Karola pass at the distance of 7Km from the main road. The Ralung monastery is one of the most sacred and one of the most oldest monasteries of Drigung Kagyupa sect in Tibet. it has some beautiful old paintings and old statues of Kagyupa order Lamas. The monastery has around 30 monks.

Nenang Monastery

Nenang monastery is located on the right side of the road to Tsurpu monastery in Gurum village at the distance of 35Km from Lhasa and it was founded by the first Zhamarpa Tokden Drakpa Senge in 14th century and it later became the seat of the successive incarnations of the first Pawo Chuwang Lhundrup Rinpo che in 15th century, the most renowned of whom was the historian the second Pawo Tsuklak Trengwa in 16th century. The main things that we can see in Nenang monastery are the Lhakang Chenmo and Jampa Lhakang which is also the assembly hall of the monastery. Jasmpa Lhakang is dedicated to the statue of Maitreya Buddha and a throne of Pawo Rinpoche. There is also a large gilded stupa reliquary containing the ashes of the tenth Pawo Rinpoche who passed away in India, flaked by two smaller ones containing relics of the sixteenth Karmapa and the fifth Pawo Rinpoche.

Lhalang Monastery

Visit Lhagang monastery which is one of the 108 small temples, built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in order to press down the branches of the Supine Ogress. The monastery has over 1300 years history and the most sacred statue of the monastery is Jowo Shakyamuni which dates back to the 7th century. As per the history, the Jowo Shakyamuni was built in Lhagang according to 8 years Jowo after the image of Jowo Shakyamuni magically spoked when it arrived in Lhagang saying that she did not want to move from there but as per the King Songtsen Gampo’s strong wishes to bring the statue to Lhasa, they built the present statue of the Jowo in Lhasa for the stead of the onw which is in Jokang today. The monastery was originaly a Kagyupa sect and then in around 12th cnetury, the monastery was gradually transformed into Sakyapa sect. I thas over 30 monks noadays. We went to visit some nomad camps from Lhagang to the sought west and there is a big Bhuddist community after around 15Km from Lhagang where all the locals, monks and nuns gather to make thousand offering of flowers, water etc

LABRANG TASHIKYIL MONASTERY

is one of the six biggest Gelukpa monasteries in Tibet and it is the largest Gelukpa monastery in Amdo region. It was founded in 1709 by the first Jamyang Zhepa Ngawang Tsondru who was revered as an emanation of Tsongkapas teacher Umapa Pawo Dorje. During his studies in Lhasa, where he was a contemporary of Desi Sangye Gyatso, he received his title Jamyang Shepa. After returning to his homeland, he then founded the most powerful monastery in Amdo. The main buildings of the great temples and colleges of Labrang Tashi Kyil were constructed by Jamyang Shepa and his successors. He himself founded the Tsokchen Dukhang Tosamling or assembly hall in 1709, the Gyume Dratsang or lower tantric college in 1716, the Sokshing Chora or college of dialectics and the Jokang temple, containing a much revered Jowo Rinpoche image flanked by 108 others in 1718 and the rest of the temples or the colleges were built by the successors of Jamyang Shepa respectively.

KUBUM JAMPALING MONASTERY

was founded in the 15 th century by one of the Tsongkapa's disciples, Jangsam Sherap Zangpo. It is the largest Gelukpa establishment in the Kham region and the development of the monastery was maintained over the centuries by the successive incarnations of Pakpa Lha whose father Kuchor Toden, had been an actual disciple of Tsongkapa. The most revered object in the monastery are the statue of Maitreya or the future Buddha, Tsongkapa and his two main disciples, Kedrup Je and Gyeltsep Je and the statues of 16 arhats respectively.

KARDZE MONASTERY

was originally constructed by Mongolian Qosot which has around 540 years history and it was the second largest monastery in Kham region. The monastery has assembly hall and some small temples like other monastery and Inside the main assembly hall, there are statues, representing the founders of the Kadampa, Gelukpa, and Nyingmapa lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. There are around 7 hundred monks nowadays.

PALPUNG THUBTEN CHOEKORLING MONASTERY

was founded in 1717 by the 8 th reincarnated Tai Situ Chokyi Jungne and considered to be the biggest establishment of Kagyupa sect in Derge and it rapidly became the most important study centre in east Tibet for the Kagyupa tradition. Before the construction of the monastery, the 7 th reincarnation of Tai Situ lived mostly at Karma Gon monastery in lhato. The main object in the monastery are a large gilded copper image of Maitreya, flanked by Padmasambhava and Tara.

KALDEN JAMPALING MONASTERY

was founded in the 15 th century by one of the Tsongkapa's disciples, Jangsam Sherap Zangpo. It is the largest Gelukpa establishment in the Kham region and the development of the monastery was maintained over the centuries by the successive incarnations of Pakpa Lha whose father Kuchor Toden, had been an actual disciple of Tsongkapa. The most revered object in the monastery are the statue of Maitreya or the future Buddha, Tsongkapa and his two main disciples, Kedrup Je and Gyeltsep Je and the statues of 16 arhats respectively.

THOLING MONASTERY

the temples and religious buildings of Tholing are the most significant in far west Tibet. The monastery was constructed under the guidance of the great Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in around 11 th century although some historian refers to the date of 996.During his life time, he is said to have built 108 temples throughout far west Tibet and Ladhak eventhough few still exist, those at Tholing are considered to be the best examples of Guge style of Buddhist art. Tholing was the main religious centre prior to the visit of the great Indian Pandit Atisha due to the influence of Rinchen Zangpo. Atisha was invited by Rinchen Zangpo under the instruction of the Guge King Yeshe-O. As the history goes by, Yeshe-O was very devoted to Rinchen Zangpo's activities and he himself founded the monasteries in Tholing. Yeshe-O sent his men to India to invite Atisha several times but they returned after being refused their request several times. Yeseh-O sacrificed all his life in order to invite Atisha. He was captured by invading troops from Qarloq who demanded ransom. When Yeshe-O's nephew Jangchub O tried to save his life, Yeshe- O responded to his nephew by saying I am an old man. My life now is short. Use the ransom to invite and assist Atisha to come to Tibet. When Atisha was moved by Yeshe-O's dedication to Buddhism, Atisha finally agreed to visit Tibet and he was amazed to see Buddhism flourishing when he arrived in Guge.

DRATHANG MONASTERY

an important conservation site for Tibet's artistic heritage. The temple complex like Samye monastery was founded in 1081 by Drapa Ngonshe, a native Dranang valley and one of the 13 saints associated with it and completed in 1090 by his nephews. The ground floor of the monastery preserves a marvelous wall paintings both in Newari and Tibetan style and it is the best fascinating wall paintings preserved in the central part of Tibet.

PHUNTSOK LING MONASTERY & JONANG KUBUM

was once the central monastery of the Jonang Pas ( Jonang Kagyu subsect ). This Jonang Kagyu subsect is especially known for the examination of the nature of emptiness which is practised in the monastery by it's greatest scholar, Dolpopa Sherap Gyaltsen ( 1292-1361 ). The Jonang Kubum was built by Dolpopa Sherap Gyaltsen in the 14 th century and it was the spiritual centre of Jonang Pas. The murals on the wall in Jonang was painted by Tibetan artists in the 14 th and 15 th centuries and they were strongly influenced by the Nepalese styles. It was said to be one of the best preserved monuments in Tibet, resembling the Gyangtse Kubum

MINDROL LING MONASTERY

was built in the 17 th century by Orgyen Terdak Lingpa and it is believed to be the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in the Utsang region. The monastery has one main assembly hall and it is dedicated to the statues of Guru Rinpoche and Terdak Lingpa. The main assembly hall itself has another statue of Terdak Lingpa, along with Dorje Chang ( Vajradhara ) and a row of Kadam-style Chortens. The monastery has around 70 monks at the present day.

TRIDOM HERMITAGE OR NUNNERY

was built when the King Trisong Detsen offered his queen to Padmasambhava. The Padmasambhava concealed lots of treasures in the Kiri Yangdzong cave above Tridom. Yeshe Tosgyel herself also remained in meditation in Tridom for many years, which is why the original nunnery was constructed at this particular point. There is medicinal hot springs within the nunnery which can be considered to be the cleanest natural hot spring in Tibet and it is full of visitors during the whole year. There are around 130 nuns at the present in the nunnery.

DRIGUNG THIL MONASTERY

is the head monastery of the Drigungpa school of the Kagyupa order. The Drigungpa is one of the eight schools derived from the teachings of Phakmodrupa Dorje Gyelpo whose seat was established at Densathil, northeast of Tsetang. In 1167, a hermitage was founded at Drigungtil by Minyak Gomring, a disciple of Phakmodrupa and it was expended by Phakmodrupa's most famous student, Jigten Gonpo. The main object in the monastery are the statue of Jigten Sumgon, the founder of the monastery,Guru Rinpoche and Shakyamuni respectively. There are 270 monks nowadays in the monastery.

RETING MONASTERY

was constructed in the 11 th century by Dromtonpa, the foremost Tibetan student of the great Bangali master Atisha. Here Dromtonpa established the principle seat of his Kadampa school and according to legend, 20,000 Juniper trees and Springs emerged from the hairs of his head miraculously. The monastery was expended by Dromtonpa's successors and the great 5th Dalai Lama. During the 7 th Dalai Lama, Reting monastery became the seat of the Reting Rinpoche successives when the 4 th Reting Rinpoche Ngawang Chokden became the teacher of the 7 th Dalai Lama. The main object in the monastery are the statue of Jowo Jampel Dorje and a very sacred cave used by Tsongkapa when he wrote Lamrim Chenmo, the stages of the path to enlightenment. There are around 70 monks in the monastery nowadays.

TSURPU MONASTERY

is the seat of the Karmapa and it was founded in the 1180s by the first Karmapa Dusum Kyenpa, some forty years after he established the Karmapa order in Kham, the place where he was born and Tsurphu was the third Karmapa monastery to be built and after the death of the first Karmapa, it became the head monastery for the Sakyapa order. The monastery is composed of one main assembly hall and some chapels. The main object of the monastery are some very revered relics of the 16 th Karmapa, as well as statues of Amitabha and Shakyamuni. Tsurphu has 300 monks nowadays.

TASHI LHUNPO MONASTERY

is the seat of the Penchen Lama, built in 15th century by the first Dalai Lama,called Gedun Drub. On the slops of Drolmari, situated to the west of the fortress of Shigatse Dzong. The monastery is composed of 3 big colleges such as Tsennyi college, Ngapa college,Tse Gonkang college and one big assembly hall with numerous chapels around. The main object of the monastery are the giant gilled copper statue of the Future Buddha Maitreya which is (26Meters) high, built in 1914, embodying loving kindness, contains 6,700 teals of gold and 150 metric tons of copper, and within it, an enormous juniper tree from Reting monastery functions as a life-supporting axis, Sok-Shing in Tibetan, The tomb sutpas of the successive Penchen Lamas, the tomb of the 4 th, 10 th and from those of 5 th to the 9 th together respectively. There are around 500 monks nowadays.

SHALU MONASTERY

was originally built in the 11 th century by Jetsun Sherap Jungne of Shangshung and renovated with monastery extension in 15 th century by Gonpopel, Drakpa Gyeltsen and Buton Rinchendrup with the financial aids, provided by the Mongolian Emperor, Oljadu. Shalu�s construction style is differed from those of other monasteries in Tibet that it has a Chinese style roof, made of yellow and green glazed turquoise tiles with porcelain relief carvings and it murals are painted in Niwari, Chinese and Tibetan styles. The monastery is three storeys high and it has one assembly hall with some chapels on both ground and upper floors. The main object of the monastery is the black stone statue of Chenresig Kasrapani. Shalu has 65 monks nowadays

SAMYE MONASTERY

located 210Km south of Lhasa and it is the first monastery of Tibet, built in 8 th century by the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen under the patronage of Pedmasamvawa and Shatarakshita. Samye's design was based on that of the Odantapuri temple of Bihar in India and is a mandalic symbol of the universe. The central temple represents Mt Meru known as Sumeru in Sanskrit and the temples around it represent oceans, the continents and the sub-continents that surround the mountain in Buddhist cosmology. The monastery has around 170 monks nowadays.

GANDEN MONASTERY

is situated 60Km east of Lhasa and it was founded in the 14 th century by Tsongka pa himself, named after the paradise of the future Budha Maitreya. Ganden was the first and leading Geluk pa monastery, constructed by Tsongkapa himself. The monastery has two main colleges known as Shartse ( east point ) and Jangtse ( North point ) were respectively founded by two of Tsongka pa's closest disciples, Namka Pel Sangpo Neten Rongyelwa. There is also a tantric college, established by another of Tsongka Pa's students. Je Sherap Senge.

DREPUNG MONASTERY

DREPUNG MONASTERY is the largest monastery in Tibet, built in the 15 th century by Jamyang Choeje who is one of Tsongkapa's foremost disciple. The monastery is beautifully located up in a hill at the distance of 7 Km from the old section of the city and it is the biggest monastery in Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery has four main colleges with numerous small chapels and house chapels, known as Khangtsen in Tibetan. There are around six hundred monks nowadays.

PALYUL NAMGYEL JANGCHUBLING

was built at the village of Palyul in 1665 by the King of Derge, Lachen Jampa Phuntsok who appointed Rigdzing Kunzang Sherap as it’s first throne holder and it was originally connected with Kagyupa sect but nowadays it has a very big influence of Nyingmapa sect. The temples of Palyul were constructed on the slopes below the peak of Dzongnang and the ridge Dago Osel Lhari. Among them the most important was the Lhasarkang, constructed by Kunzang Sherap himself and containing a gilded copper image of Shakyamuni in the form of Jowo Yishin Norbu as well as the frescos of Namcho deities.

SERA MONASTERY

was founded in around 15th century by Jamchen Choeje who is another famous disciple of Tsongka pa and it is the second largest monastery of Tibet. There are three big colleges with numerous chapels and house chapels. The most attraction to visit this monastery is to see the monks debating which hold from 3-5Pm everyday apart from Sunday