Tsurphu monastery

Tsurphu monastery is one of the many monastic institutions established in Central Tibet in the 11^thand 12^th centuries. It was founded as a meditation retreat in 1187 AD by Dusum Kyenpa, whom came from Kham and received his teachings from a disciple of the hermit ascetic Milarepa.

Brief

Dusum Kyenpa is regarded as the first Karmapa with a lineage of Truku that continues to this day. During the next five centuries Tsurphu monastery grew into a religious center.

Like most of Tibet’s largest monasteries, it was drawn into the political arena, leading to its destruction by Mongol armies in 1642 during a lengthy war between rivaling noble families in U and Tsang provinces. Tsurphu monastery slowly rebuilt and restored its status as an important Kagyu pa center when nearly a thousand monks were in residence. This monastery was tragically destroyed in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution and began rebuilding in 1980 by the 16^th Karmapa.

How to get to there

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By bus

One round trip bus get to Tsurphu monastery from Lhasa city

• Start station: Bus stop is in the alley 200 meters from the west side of Jokhang temple
• Departure: in between 07:00 – 08:00, departures when the vehicle is full
• Return: at 15:00pm

The Four Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism

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