Bongya Monastery

Bongya Monastery, also known as “Wenjia Monastery,” the Tibetan name is “Bongya Manri Shedrub Mingdröl Ling,” meaning “Manri Liberation Teaching and Meditation Center.” It is a Bonpo tradition monastery

The monastery is located on the northern slope of the mountains near Muhesha Village, in the northwestern part of Ququhu (Chu Khol) Township, Tongren County, Qinghai Province, at an altitude of about 3,200 meters.

Overview

Bongya Monastery was founded in 1062 AD and is the largest Bon monastery in Qinghai Province. Due to its architectural style resembling the Potala Palace, it is also known as the “Little Potala Palace.”

The original site of the monastery was located in the “Redemu” area, just below its current location.

Initially, Bongya Monastery was a branch of Khyung Mo Gonpa in Tongde County, with its head lama, Khyung Tsang, serving as the head of the monastery. As the monastery grew, it developed its own system of reincarnated lamas, and the lineage became known as the “Bongya Lama.”

Religious Ceremonies

Bongya Monastery holds a seasonal religious ceremony four times a year, once each season.

One of the most significant events is the seven-day autumn retreat, dedicated to the Five Principal Bon Deities and the Walshe Bon Deity ritual. This retreat begins on the 15^th day of the ninth lunar month and ends on the 22^nd. It includes meditative practice and performances of the Vajra Dance. The purpose of this ceremony is to pray for the well-being of the people. It has become the largest and most important Bon religious festival in the region, drawing the most devotees from far and wide for pilgrimage and worship.

Development

In 1874, the reincarnated lama of Tshewang Tsang Sherab Namgyal, Bongya Yungdrung Puntsok Rinpoche, along with four of his monk disciples, built a Three Buddha Hall at the site. This attracted a growing number of practitioners who came for spiritual practice.

In 1980, when the 10th Panchen Lama visited various regions of Qinghai, he met with Bongya Lama and gifted him a decree. He also expressed his wish to rebuild and restore all the Bon monasteries in the Huangnan Prefecture area.

Under Bongya Lama’s leadership, Bongya Monastery began its expansion, eventually achieving its current scale.

Today, under the guidance of Wenjia Rinpoche, the monastery has established three institutes: a Five Sciences Academy, a Debating Academy, and a Meditation Academy, providing excellent conditions for learning and spiritual practice for its followers.

With the deep spiritual teachings and rigorous dharma transmission, today’s Bongya Monastery has become one of the most influential Bon monasteries, with a large number of disciples.

At its peak, Bongya Monastery housed over 800 monks. Currently, it has 108 monks, including 5 resident lamas and 9 khenpos.

Religious Ceremonies

Bongya Monastery holds a seasonal religious ceremony four times a year, once each season.

One of the most significant events is the seven-day autumn retreat, dedicated to the Five Principal Bon Deities and the Walshe Bon Deity ritual. It includes meditative practice and performances of the Vajra Dance. The purpose of this ceremony is to pray for the well-being of the people. It has become the largest and most important Bon religious festival in the region, drawing the most devotees from far and wide for pilgrimage and worship.

Notable Figures

Bongya Rinpoche
Bongya Rinpoche, also known as Wenjia Gyalwang Lungtok Gyatso Rinpoche, is often referred to as “Wenjia Rinpoche” or “Wenjia Lama.” He is a renowned Tibetan scholar and a distinguished historian and Buddhist philosopher. He currently serves as the abbot of Bongya Monastery in Qinghai. Through extensive study, reflection, and meditation, he has assimilated the essence of the Dharma and cultivated a selfless worldview. Rinpoche has made significant contributions to promoting Tibetan culture, particularly Bon culture, through his teachings, debates, and writings.

Some of his major works include:

• The Powerful Treasures of Guru Yoga
• The Heart Essence of the Buddha’s Words and Teachings
• A Brief Explanation of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
• Guidance on the Path to Omniscience
• Treatise on the Elimination of Darkness by Nature
• Songs of the Spiritual Path
• A Detailed Explanation of the Origins of Buddhism
• The Mirror of the Bon Tradition
• Collection of Teachings on Mind Training
• Anthology of Poetry
• A Concise Discussion of Bon Traditions and Chapters
• Biographies of Great Masters
• Tibetan Grammar
• Tantric Rituals and Notes
• Questions and Answers on Buddhism and Culture
• Collection of Essays
• Collection of Official Correspondence
• Calligraphy Collection
• Collection of Historical Writing

Jume Lodro Rinpoche

Jume Lodro Rinpoche, also known as “Jume Rinpoche,” is the third reincarnation of the esteemed Agong Lama. He was born on September 22, 1984, in the sacred land of Muru Sangge, at the foot of Mt. Zuri in Dzori Monastery, located in the present-day Donggaka Village, Niao Township, Diebu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. His father, Gesang, was a Vajrayana practitioner, and his mother was named Yurong.

In the autumn of 1995, Jume Lodro Rinpoche was recognized by Dzongtrul Nanka Tenzin Rinpoche as the unmistakable reincarnation of the third Agong Lama. He then left his parents and traveled to Bongya Monastery in Qinghai. On the way, they visited the famous Labrang Monastery, where he received the name “Jume Lodro” (meaning Fearless Wisdom) in the Manjushri Hall. On September 15 of that year, Rinpoche arrived at Bongya Monastery and took his monastic vows in front of Bongya Gyalwang Lungtok Gyatso Rinpoche, receiving the full monastic name Jume Gesang Lodro.

Key works:

• The Reincarnation Lineage of Jang Rinpoche
• Compilation of the Works of Tshechog Rinpoche, the Buddhist Master: The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment