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Mindrolling Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma Pa of Tibetan Buddhism.

It is located in the suburbs of Zhanang County, Shannan City

Mindrolling Brief

Mindrolling Monastery was founded by Lume Tshulkhrim Sherab in the 10^th century. It is the main monastery of the “Southern Route Great Perfection” in the “Later Propagation Period” of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the three major monasteries of the Nyingma Pa in “U-Tsang.”

In AD 1676, or according to some sources in AD 1677, Gyurme Dorje · Terdag Lingpa, the fifth Dalai Lama’s tutor and a great master of the Nyingma sect, carried out a major renovation and expansion of this monastery.

In the early 18^th century, during the invasion of Tibet by the Jungar army, parts of the monastery were destroyed, but later restored under the Polhanas regime.

In AD 1718, Jungar military officer “Tsainam Druphu” prohibited the Nyingma pa and destroyed their statues, scriptures, and Stupas. This led to the deaths of many lamas, tutors, translators, and patrons of Mindrolling Monastery in the turmoil, along with the devastating destruction of precious artifacts in the monastery.

In AD 1720, under the advocacy of the seventh Dalai Lama and secular officials, the Nyingma pa was reinstated, and destroyed Nyingma monasteries across the tibetan region were restored. Geshe U-gyan Gasang and Geshe U-gyan Chodra oversaw the major renovation of Mindrolling Monastery.

Despite significant damage during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, the basic layout of Mindrolling Monastery was preserved. Subsequent restoration work was carried out after 1983.

In 1996, it was designated as a regional cultural heritage site in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

In 2006, the State Council of China included Mindrolling Monastery in the sixth batch of nationally protected cultural heritage sites.

Mindrolling Monastery Architectural

Mindrolling Monastery is located east of Zhanang River, surrounded by mountains on three sides.

The monastery’s polygonal walls, built with slab stones, hold high value for studying Tibetan architectural art and style.

The main building faces west, with a grand scale and an existing area of about 100,000 square meters.

The main structure in the monastery is the main Hall, facing west and consisting of three floors:

The ground floor is the main hall, with a width of 30 meterss, a depth of 36 meters, and there are 20 pillars including two 5.5-meter high pillars leading to the second floor; the central part of the second floor features a courtyard surrounded by five small halls and monks’ quarters; the third floor has two Buddha halls, with the Lakhang containing portraits of famous lamas from the Nyingma pa.

Within the main hall, there is a hall dedicated to the Dharmapala, with many human heads depicted on the door frames and lintels.

The main hall’s walls are adorned with fierce-looking, multi-headed and multi-armed Dharmapala statues, a prominent feature in Nyingma pa monasteries and tantric dratsang.

According to Tibetan Buddhism, these wrathful Dharmapalas are guardian deities defending the monastery against enemies and demons, known as “Dharmapalas.”

From an artistic perspective, these rough and exaggerated divine figures represent Tibetan Tantric art and have a close relationship with the primitive Bon religion art.

Mindrolling Main Hall

On both sides of the front of the main hall, there are six small Buddha niches, each containing statues of the founders of the Nyingma pa, Kagyu pa, Sakya pa, and Gelug pa.

The main entrance porch is adorned with murals of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Wheel of Life

The main hall on the ground floor houses a gilded statue of “Terdag Lingpa” and murals of Buddhas. The second floor houses a gilded statue of Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara, while the third floor serves as the bedrooms of past eminent monks.

In the middle of the second floor of the main hall is a courtyard with monks’ quarters and five small halls, namely: Desha Lakhang, Minjiu Palzhen Lakhang, Sherab Lakhang, Namgye Lakhang, and Palma Wanggye Lakhang,

Desha Lakhang contains a stupa with the eight Buddhas, a silver stupa of the 9th Triba Gonsang Wanggye, and a set of “Kanjur” scriptures.

Minjiu Palzhen Lakhang houses a silver stupa of Minjiu Palzhen, daughter of “Terdag Lingpa”, adorned with rubies and emeralds, along with gilded Buddha statues, a handwritten copy of the “One Hundred Thousand Prajnaparamita Sutra,” and works by “Terdag Lingpa”

Sherab Lakhang features eighteen Arhats in clay and murals of past Lama founders on the walls.

Palma Wanggye Lakhang contains a silver stupa of the 5th Triba of Mindrolling Monastery – Palma Wanggye, and many gilded Buddha statues

Namgye Lakhang houses gilded Buddha statues, a silver stupa, and a handwritten copy of the “One Hundred Thousand Prajnaparamita Sutra.”

The northern temple houses only Dharma protectors.

Mindrolling Sang-o Phodrang

Sang-o Phodrang is located to the north the main hall, consisting of a sutra hall and a Buddha hall. The sutra hall has 36 pillars, with 4 tall pillars leading to the upper level, forming a courtyard; it houses the “Terdag Lingpa” clay statue and wall paintings of a thousand Buddhas, including Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Tara, among others.

Inside the Buddha hall, there are gold-plated statues of Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara (two stories high), Sakyamuni Buddha, Vajrapani, Hayagriva, and other guardian deities; the walls are adorned with paintings of Sakyamuni Buddha and more.

The third level of Sang-o Phodrang is the Sireng Lakhang, spanning 6 pillars, primarily housing the silver stupa of Khenchen·Sang-o Dantsen, various Buddha statues made of sandalwood, gold-plating, clay, and more. Surrounding this Lakang are 5 small Lakangs, a silver stupa hall, and a pavilion.

Donggu Lakhang, also known as the “Thousand Buddha Hall,” contains clay statues of the Tryadhva-buddhah, many Buddha statues, and a copy of the “One Hundred Thousand Prajnaparamita Sutra.”

Dechen Lakhang mainly houses the silver stupa of the venerable Trile Palzhen and clay statues of lamas.

Chogyu Lakhang, covering a size of 4 pillars, features a silver Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara statue, a gold-plated Amitayus Buddha statue, a clay statue of Khenchen Ogyen Dantsen, and a handwritten copy of the “Kanjur.”

Denma Lakhang, also known as the “Earth Deity Hall,” predominantly showcases wall paintings depicting stories related to earth deities.

Gyepang Nge Lakhang is the residence of Padmasambhava and his twenty-five disciples, primarily housing a bronze statue of Guru Rinpoche, clay statue of Gyepang Nge, and serving as a place for monks to study scriptures; the walls of the entrance gate depict stories of Padmasambhava and Sakyamuni Buddha.

Silver Stupa Hall, spanning 4 pillars, houses the silver stupas of the second generation Palzhen Rennamgye, the fourth generation Triba Trile Namgye, and Jungung Gatsutsen; it also features gold-plated statues of eight manifestations of Padmasambhava and his eight main disciples, along with handwritten and printed copies of the “Ganjur.”

Dechen Pavilion, covering an area of 4 pillars, primarily contains the silver stupa of the third generation Triba·Pema Dantsen, with silver stupas of Jun Yeshe Ledrun and Lobzang Gyatso on both sides. In the front, there is a gold stupa of Logchen·Dama Sheri, along with a Nyingma pa copy of the “One Hundred Thousand Prajnaparamita Sutra.”

Mindrolling Namgye Phodrang

Namgye Phodrangis located in the northwest of Sang-o Phodrang. It was constructed under the supervision of the fourth-generation Triba·Trile Namgye. It has three floors and being built with stone blocks, facing west.

The first floor is called “Sangba Rendru Lakhang”, also known as the “Original Achievement Hall,” which primarily houses the “Sangba Rendru” clay statue; and Mani Lakhang is right next to it.

The second floor is Cho Basang, a hall for offerings with an area of 4 pillars, with historical events depicted on the walls from the “Bama Gatang”; the central Lakhang area is with 4 pillars which contains gilded images of Kanklo (Kanchen·Shewatso, Loben·Penbu Chen), Qusong (Chogye Trisong Detsan), and eight kinds of gilded lotus flowers.

The third floor has Lama Lakang, with an area of four pillars, housing the Buddha of Amitayus; there is also a Kanjur Hall, which houses the “Kanjur” classics inside.

Chokor Lunbhu Lakhang

To the north of Chokor Lunbhu Lakhang stands a three-story stone building. The hall covers an area of 10 columns (4 long columns, 6 short columns), with a Buddha hall at the back covering an area of 4 columns. Inside the hall, there is a gilded copper statue of “Terdag Lingpa”, and the walls are adorned with images of “Buddha in the Dharma Realm from the ten directions”

There are warehouses and other ancillary buildings surrounding this lakhang

The second floor of Chokor Lunbhu Lakhang houses Senchung Lang Pavilion, which includes wooden room with the kitchen located at the very top. Below Pavilion, there are gilded statues of Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara and Lama clay sculptures. The roof is adorned with gilded Victory Banners and other decorations.

The third floor of Chokor Lunbhu Lakhang is “Linchung Gunsa”, which commonly known as the bedroom, covering an area of 2 columns, and houses various small Buddha statues and scriptures.

Mindrolling Gonsang Phodrang

This Phodrang has an area of six columns, housing statues of “Terdag Lingpa”; inside the hall, there are statues of protector deities.

In the hall, there is also a seat of “Terdag Lingpa” and a statue of his son, “Dsengyu”

Mindrolling Monastery Influence

Mindrolling monastery is a monastery with the characteristics of a Buddhist academy, emphasizing the study of Buddhist classics, grammar, rhetoric, and appointing monks proficient in history, Buddhist studies, Tibetan language, medicine, and calendrical calculation as monastic teachers within the Potala Palace, while another group of monks is responsible for calendrical calculation and the compilation and revision of the “Tibetan Calendar,” all of which originate from here.

It is also renowned for its Tibetan calligraphy, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan incense making.

Monks of Mindrolling monastery are allowed to marry and have children, and the inheritance of the monastery is not strictly limited to the father-son relationship.

Mindrolling monastery holds a very important position in the study of the history and doctrines of the Nyingma tradition.

Shechen Monastery is one of the 6 Great Nyingma Pa monastery of Tibetan religion. It is located in north edge of Dege county, approximately 20 kilometers west from Dzogchen monastery.

Brief

It was founded in 1695 by Shechen Rabjam Tenpé Gyaltsen who was sent to Kham by Dalai Lama V. It is renowned for the authenticity to the teachings at shedra and the quality of its sacred arts. The location is at the valley, which is 10 kilometers to the road junction between Nangdo and Dzogchen. Shechen monastery has 160 satellite monasteries spread out in the Himalayan region.

How to get to there

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Shechen monastery is located in a open valley of Base village, which is about 20 kilometers from the road intersection that connects Manigango in the east and Sershul county in the west. It is about 80 km west from Manigango. The only pass between Manigango and Shechen monastery is the Hai-Zi La pass (4500 meters), and it takes nearly 3 hours’ drive to cover this distance;

Sershul is about 150 northwest of Shechen , which may take 3-4 hours to cover this distance, and Sershul county is about another 3.5 hours drive to Yushu airport, which has direct flight to major cities of China, such as Beijing, Xining….

Alternative, Garze Gesar airport will be the nearest airport to this site

There is no bus to reach Shechen monastery, the possible way that you can use are:

• To take the bus from Garze(Kanze) to Sershul, get off the bus at San Ca He, from which you will need to hitchhike for 20 kilometers to reach the valley entrance to Shechen monastery, which is about 300 meters westward at the bottom of the valley
• The simpler way is to rent one local minibus from Manigango to Shechen , which may cost RMB 700.00 – 800.00 for a round trip within a day

Dorje Drak Monastery’s full name is “Thubtan·Dorje Drak Ewam Chogar“. it belongs to Nyingma pa of Tibetan Buddhism.

It is located on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Gongga County.

“Dorje” means “vajra” and “Drak” means “rocky mountain“; the monastery’s name is derived from the natural formation of a “vajra” symbol on the mountain behind the monastery.

Established around the year 1650 AD by “Tashi Dorje”,

Dorje Drak Monastery, along with Katok Monastery, Dzogchen Monastery, Palyul Monastery, Shechen Monastery, and Mindrolling Monastery, are collectively known as the “Six Great Monasteries” or “Six Great Practice Centers” of the Nyingma Pa.

Brief History

In the late 16^th century, the ruler of one of the original “thirteen Wan-hu(10,000 households),” “Tashi Dorje,” was defeated by “Shenshaba·Tshalden Dorje,” and his territory was taken over by the Shenshaba family.

“Tashi Dorje” then spread his teachings everywhere and established the Tibetan Buddhist group in Tsang region – the “Ewam Sect.” Later, “Tashi Dorje” founded Dorje Drak Monastery; it also became the main monastery of the reincarnations of the 2^nd “Renze Chenpo,” and his successor

In 1718 AD, the Mongolian Dzungar tribe invaded Tibet, causing severe damage to this monastery.

It was rebuilt during the administration of Polhanas in Tibet (1728 AD – 1747 AD).

In the 1960s, during the Cultural Revolution, it suffered further destruction.

In 1981, new religious policies were implemented, initiating the restoration process of the monastery.

In 1984, the local government allocated special funds to assist the monks in restoring the monastery.

Currently, there are 23 monks in this monastery.

Characteristics of the Nyingma Pa

The term “Nyingma” in the Nyingma Pa carries ancient and traditional meanings; it is the earliest of the four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism, with its lineage dating back to the “early dissemination period” (8^th century AD), later referred to as the “old school” to distinguish it from the “new schools” that emerged during the “later dissemination period.”

Nyingma Pa extensively inherits the teachings and rituals passed down during the Tubo kingdom period, integrating a significant amount of rituals from the indigenous Tibetan Bon religion.

Nyingma Pa believes that they have inherited the esoteric scriptures translated during the early dissemination period of Tibetan Buddhism before the suppression of Buddhism by Langdarma, focusing primarily on the “old esoteric mantras.”

The Transmission of Nyingma Pa

The transmission of the Nyingma Pa has mainly been preserved through two avenues: one being passed down through generations in the community by masters to their disciples or within families, and the other being the “hidden treasures” discovered through revelations.

However, other Tibetan Buddhist sects have always denied the authenticity of the Nyingma Pa’s “scriptures.”

Later, the Sakya sect’s Dharma King Gongkar Gyantsen discovered the original Sanskrit text of the Nyingma pa’s “Vajrakilaya,” transmitted by Padmasambhava, in a ancient temple in the Shangchu Valley of the “Sesheng” region. This led to the acknowledgment that the Nyingma pa’s “hidden treasures” scriptures are profound teachings passed down from the Buddha himself.

The Development of Nyingma Pa

Unlike other sects of Tibetan Buddhism such as the Sakya and Gelug, Kagyu, the Nyingma pa did not have a central monastery from the beginning and developed in a decentralized manner. It also did not have as close a relationship with local powers

During the Yuan Dynasty, the Nyingma pa established connections with the central government. However, due to its loose organization and single-line transmission, it never formed a stable monastic power.

It was not until the 16^th century that relatively large Nyingma monasteries appeared in U region (now, Lhasa and its surrounding). Particularly in the 17^th century, the Fifth Dalai Lama established the Ganden Phodrang regime, vigorously promoting and advocating the Nyingma teachings, leading to rapid development of the Nyingma school.

It was only then that the two vital monasteries of the Nyingma Pa in U region (now, Lhasa and its srrounding), the Mindrolling Monastery and Dorje Drak Monastery being built which signify the significant expansion of Nyingma pa. The Fifth Dalai Lama even specially built a monastery (Nyelam Pelgyeling Monastery) to propagate the teachings of Nyingma pa

Hidden Treasures(Sutra)

An important part of the Nyingma pa is the “hidden treasures,” which are Buddhist scriptures excavated from caves or underground.

Around the 12^th century, individuals within the Nyingma tradition began uncovering these hidden treasures, and they were known as “Terton.”

Among them, “Nyangral Nyima Ozer” discovered the Upper Hidden Treasures, while “Guru Chokyi Cho” discovered the Lower Hidden Treasures.

In the 15^th to 16^th centuries, the Terton “Ratna Lingpa” compiled the Upper and Lower Hidden Treasures with his own discoveries, creating the “Southern Treasures.”

In the early 16^th century, a noble descendant from the region of Riwo Dragsang in Angren County, named “Rinchen Dondrup Tencho Gyantsen,” unearthed numerous hidden treasures and compiled them for printing. These treasures, excavated in the northern region called “Qiang”, were then called the “Northern Treasures.”

The “Northern Treasures” contain many scriptures that were not present in the original Buddhist scriptures or the hidden treasures, such as the “Khendro Nyingthig.” These hidden treasures include teachings on the Nyingma tradition, medicine, and the history of the Tubo Tibetan Empire, with notable works like the “Five Treasures of Dharma” and the “Padmasambhava Treasure,” providing valuable insights for studying Tibetan history.

Dorje Drak Monastery Features

Dorje Drak Monastery emphasizes both the Exoteric and Esoteric teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, with a distinct lineage of the Nyingma tradition known as the “Far-reaching Buddha Word” teachings.

The monastery focuses on transmitting the “Northern Treasure” teachings within the “Revealed Treasure” tradition, along with some Buddhist scriptures from the “Three Sutras.”

It recognizes Renzen chenmo·Tungye Tenchu Gyantsen as the first living Buddha of the monastery.

The lineage of living Buddhas is passed down in a reincarnation form, with each living Buddha bearing the title “Renzen chenmo” before their system name.

They also study the revealed treasures of Bema Lezetsai, Jangda Tashi Dorj, collecting over fifty volumes; specializing in the “Pure Vision” teachings of the Fifth Dalai Lama and the Fifth Renzen chenmo in the “Pure Vision Tantra.”

The current abbot of the monastery is Renzen chenmo·Dorje Drak Living Buddha, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Political Consultative Conference and the Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association.

Statues Worshiped

The statues worshiped at Dorje Drak Monastery are mainly consist of the “Five Dhyani Buddhas,” essential for the practice of achieving enlightenment, including Manjusri Bodhisattva representing “body, speech, and mind,” and “Master Padmasambhava” representing merit and accomplishment. Additionally, there are the “Nectar” and “Vajra Peg” symbolizing worldly accomplishments, as well as the three worldly protectors known as “Non-Humans,” “Fierce Mantras,” and “Offering and Praise Worldly Deities.”

The “Non-Humans (Kinnara),” originally malevolent deities in Tibetan Bon religion, later adopted as protective deities by the Nyingma pa. Described as angry, semi-naked figures resembling humans but not entirely, they are depicted as black, with tangled hair, and armed with disease pouches, ghost-capturing banners, black lassos, and magic thread balls.

Among the most renowned protective goddesses is “Palden Lhamo,” the chief among the “Non-Humans（Kinnara）.”

The Four Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism

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Katok monastery is one of the 6 great monasteries of the Nyingma Pa tradition of Tibetan religion. It is located on a top of mountain with altitude of 4200 meters above sea level in Baiyu county.

Brief

It was founded during the 12^th century and expanded in 1656. The original gompa fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1956.

Its reputation

The monastery had a reputation for fine scholarship and produced some of the greatest scholars in Tibetan history. In 1999, disciples of Kenpo Munsel and Kenpo Jamyang at Katok Monastery compiled a Katok edition of the ‘Kama’ (also ‘Karma’ ) in 120 volumes. It contains many rare Nyingma treaties on Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga that had never been seen outside of Tibet. Its mystery festival is held on June 10^th on the Tibetan Calendar each year.

The drive to here

The drive from Pelyul county to Katok monastery takes usually 3 hours, the driving distance is about 70km, the first 35km was to drive along Jinsha River, which is one of the tributaries of the Yangtze River, to the road intersection, where one dirt road leads into the valley, then another 25km around to reach He Po village, where to cross a bridge passing through the monastery’s attached guesthouse, then entering the mountains, the altitude starts to ascending. The last 20 km may take 1 hour or more to complete.

New Buildings

The new assembly halls, and guesthouse, and chapels are just accomplished in 2016, and the 2016 Katok festival was also the ceremony to activate those new buildings.

How to get to there

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Katok Monastery is located in the site almost the top of the mountain in Shu-Song village of Pelyul County. For centuries, this monastery has been isolated due to its difficult location; However, this monastery can be view from the air when taking the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa;

Nowadays, one jeep-able paved road has been build that you can reach this site with auto-mobile. The village where the monastery is located in is in a valley that is nearly 30 kilometers from the valley junction, which is about 40 kilometers to Pelyul county in the south, and 60 kilometers to Derge County in the north.

To rent a vehicle from Pelyul county to Katok monastery usually cost RMB 700.00 – 800.00 per trip;