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Dongzhulin Monastery was built in 1667, and at one time housed treasures which rivaled Potala Palace, such as: gilded Maitreya, statue of White Drolma, Buddhas of Three Worlds, the ruler of the hell, Manjusri, 18 Arhats statues and Tangkar scroll paintings depicting Buddhist stories. Unfortunately it was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution and the current structure was restored in 1987.

Brief

Previously, it was named “Chong-Chong-Gang Monastery” that means a monastery by a crane lake. Originally, It was a Kagyu Pa tradition monastery. It converted to Gelu Pa merging with other 7 small monasteries nearby and finally becoming Dongzhulin Monastery in 1667. In the late Qing Dynasty, there were over 700 lamas and 10 Living Buddhas in this monastery.

Buildings

The Assembly Hall of Dongzhulin Monastery was designed in earth and wooden structure with 4 floors and 82 thick pillars. On the first floor, Tsongkhapa and his two disciples (Damarenqing and Kezhujie) are enshrined.

Some other enshrined Buddhism deities on the same floor are Sakyamuni, Avalokitecvara (Goddess of Mercy), Bhodisattva Manjusri, Bhodisattva Samantabhadra and Drolma.

The chanting hall, Buddhist chapels and chambers for Buddhist images are settled on the 2nd and 3^rd floors. Among of those, the most impressive statues are the statue of Qingba Buddha (Maitreya) and the statue of Juewolakang (Sakyamuni).

Tangkar

It also houses a huge Tangkar with 8.5 meters long and 5.2 meters wide, and it is unfolded on the Gedong Festival in the 12^th month of Tibetan calendar.

Dongzhulin Monastery sits on the slop of a mountain that overlook the beautiful Jinsha River Gorge (Yangtze). It is not well-known, more popular with the local Tibetans. The Mask Dancing Ceremony attracts thousands of followers each year.

How to get to there

Usually, the first step is to take flights or land transportation to arrive in Shangri La city, the capital town of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There are about more than 15 buses leave for or passing through Benzilan county everyday. Dongzhulin Monastery is about 23 kilometers away from Benzilan county

Be advised There is no direct public bus to this monastery from Benzilan, so you will have to use local minibus which usuaolly charges RMB 30 per person one way

Rabgya monastery is also known as “Tashi Kundeling monastery“. It is an important branch of Sera monastery, found in 1769 AD by a Mongol, whom was named Arik Geshe, and he was from Kokonor lake.

Brief

In the period from 1952-1958, the monastery occupied an area of 700 acres, including 12 halls, and more than 1,100 dorms for Lama, monk students; and one Palace for Panchen Lama. There were about over 1,300 monks in this monastery, unfortunately it was damaged badly in the 1960s’ of 20^th century, after repairing since 1980, it now has recovered, and there are 5 halls, and more than 182 dorms

Buildings

The building of this monastery have been rebuilt during the late 1990’s of 20^th century; but some old religion artworks still remain, including a handfull pillar carpets. The assembly hall has a trilingual inscription above the door, and contains 64 carpeted pillars. The broad cliff behind the monastery is known as Mt. Khyung-Ngon (Blue Garuda). The top of this mountain offers a great view of the Yellow River.

Location

It is situated in the north bank of Yellow River in Rabgya county, facing west to Yellow River, it is about 70 kilometers from the capital town of Xia-Da-Wu of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it is Gelug pa tradition, as to be a sub-branch of Sera monastery.

Rabgya monastery Data

How to get to there

There is no direct bus to this monastery; there are buses leaving from Xining or Tongde or Guide for Da Wu town that will pass through this monastery, Or by chartered vehicle to get here;

Distance from Rabgya to…

• To Dawu Town : 70 kilometers, about 2 hours’ drive
• To Xining  : 350 kilometers, about 8 hours’ drive
• To Tongren : 300 kilometers, about 7.5 hours’ drive

The Four Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism