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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;

Dzogchen Monastery is one of the six great monasteries of the Nyingma Pa of Tibetan Buddhism.

Location

It is located in the east Derge of Kanze (Garze) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Kham, Present, West Sichuan Province). Approximately 52 kilometers west from Manigango which is a wild-west small town in the northwest region of Kham.

Inheritance

It was founded by Pema Rigdzin, 1^st Dzogchen Rinpoche in 1675 AD and is thought to be the largest Nyingma monastery. It became renowned for its Shri Singha Shedra established by Gyalsé Shenpen Thayé, and is also known as the principle repository of the Konchok Chidu cycle of the Jangt. It was one of the most famous centers of sacred ritual dance, commonly known as “Lama Dance” OR “Monk Mask Dance“.

How to get to there

The monastery is by the road that connects Manigango and Sershul county. It is about 50 km west from Manigango, the only pass between this two sites is the 4,500 meters Hai-Zi La pass, it takes about 2.5 hours to cover this distance;

Sershul is about 170 northwest of Dzogchen, which may take 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 when it is completed in the end of 2018

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

• To take the bus from Garze (Kanze) to Sershul, get off the bus at Geng Da village, from which you will need to walk for about 1 kilometers to reach the assembly hall
• The simpler way is to rent one local minibus from Manigango to Dzogchen , which may cost RMB 600.00 – 700.00 for a round trip rental

Pelyul Monastery, known in full Tibetan as “Pelyul Namgyal Yangchub Ling”, translates to “Auspicious and Victorious Island of Bodhi.” The Tibetan word “Pelyul” means “Auspicious Place.”

Located on the northern slope of Baiyu County, Pelyul Monastery is a Nyingma monastery of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the six great Nyingma monastic centers (the other five being Katok Monastery, Dzogchen Monastery, Shechen Monastery, Dorje Drak Monastery, and Mindrolling Monastery). It was also historically one of the five great monasteries patronized by the lords of the Derge Kingdom.

The monastery is built on the mountainside, surrounded by towering peaks. With its vast architectural complex covering an entire mountain of Baiyu County, its densely arranged temples and monastic dwellings create a breathtaking spectacle.

The Legend of the Monastery’s Founding

Before Pelyul Monastery was established, when Princess Wencheng passed through Baiyu on her way to Tibet, she planted a tree here by inserting a branch into a bull’s horn. This tree is known in Tibetan as “Jomma Lhatso”

Later, the great translator Vairotsana, while traveling to Zhawalong, also planted a cypress tree in Baiyu and made a prophecy.

These auspicious signs and Guru Padmasambhava’s prophecy aligned with the prediction that a flourishing Buddhist sacred site would emerge south of Katok Monastery.

In 890 CE, the great Tibetan master Jutö Rinchen Jire Chuwangpo came to Baiyu for meditation, leaving behind relics such as meditation caves and stupas, which are preserved to this day. This made Pelyul the first established Nyingma practice site in Kham. Later, successive generations built a reliquary temple on the original site of his rock fortress.

In 1675 CE, the King of Derge vowed to build a monastery, expanding the reliquary temple into what became Pelyul Monastery. The great master Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, upon the request of Vajra Treasure Master Mingyur Dorje and Serlo Tonpa Gyaltsen, assumed the monastery’s throne and became the spiritual teacher of the Derge King.

Subsequently, the third-generation disciple Jongön Pema Norbu and others traveled across Tibet, establishing monasteries, gathering disciples, and spreading the teachings. This led to Pelyul Monastery having over a hundred branch monasteries, thousands of retreat centers, and hermitages spread across Kham, Central Tibet, and Amdo. Today, Pelyul Monastery oversees approximately 360 affiliated monasteries.

At its peak, the monastery housed 3,000 monks.

Lineage & Teachings

Pelyul Monastery’s teachings blend the Nyingma school and the Marpa Kagyu tradition of the Phagdru Kagyu lineage, making its exoteric and esoteric teachings unique from other Nyingma traditions.

The monastery’s spiritual throne holders follow a reincarnation lineage known as Karma Yangsé. Traditionally, each successive monastery head receives monastic ordination at Palpung Monastery, the main seat of the Karma Kagyu school in Derge.

Architecture

The main structures of Pelyul Monastery include seven assembly halls, three Buddha halls, three reliquary stupas, eight large prayer wheel houses, and numerous monk quarters, accommodating over a thousand monks.

• The Great Assembly Hall can seat over 2,000 monks for simultaneous meditation and chanting.
• The smaller halls are used for scriptural teachings, meditation retreats, philosophical debates, astrology, and Tibetan medicine.
• The Buddha halls enshrine statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Gongpo (protective deities), Anye Machen, and Nyenpo Yutse. The walls of these halls are adorned with exquisite murals created by Thangka artists from Rebgong.
• The three reliquary stupas contain the remains of Pelyul Chökyi, Agong Khenpo, and Dongyu Khenpo.

Among them, the reliquary stupa of Pelyul Chökyi Rinpoche is the most magnificent:

• Standing 5 meters high with a 3-meter-wide base, the stupa is made of copper plates and is ornamented with silver, gold plating, coral, and agate.
• A white, right-coiling conch shell is embedded in the structure.
• At the top, a silver shrine houses a Buddha’s tooth relic, making it an exceptionally ornate and sacred monument.

The golden rooftop of Pelyul Monastery follows the mandala architecture of Tibetan Buddhism, consisting of three tiers:

1. The lower tier enshrines Guru Padmasambhava.
2. The middle tier enshrines Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara.
3. The top tier enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha.

During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, Pelyul Monastery was almost entirely destroyed.

In the early 1980s, the Sichuan Provincial Government and the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Government approved the reopening of Pelyul Monastery as a religious site. An initial funding of 268,000 RMB was allocated, and the monastery was rebuilt under the leadership of its abbot, Thubten Tsultrim (“Tüsum”).

The restoration efforts received support from both Tibetan communities and international devotees.

After years of reconstruction, the monastery was able to rebuild its assembly halls, Buddha halls, monastic college, meditation retreat centers, hermitages, and monk quarters.

In the early 21st century, additional structures were built, including the Guru Rinpoche Pure Land Mandala, the Mingyur Dorje Relic Stupa, and the Eight Auspicious Stupas, along with the recreation of several Buddha statues.

Gomé Meditation Retreat (Pelyul Retreat Center)

In 1988, the monastery’s abbot, Tüsum, decided to rebuild the retreat center.

H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.H. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, and H.H. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony and performed blessings.

The newly reconstructed retreat center was named “Gomé Meditation Retreat of Palyul.”

• By 1990, construction was completed, and the first group of 40 monastics entered a strict three-year, three-month retreat under the direct guidance of Tüsum.
• Today, the retreat center can accommodate 50 monks at a time. Each retreatant has an individual retreat room.
• The center also features a main assembly hall for group practice, which enshrines the Three Bodies of Buddha, numerous statues of great treasure revealers (tertons), sacred termas, and a complete mandala for the Three Accomplishment Teachings.

Deity Retreat Center

In addition to the main retreat center, Pelyul Monastery has a smaller retreat facility called the Deity Retreat Center (Tenzin Drubde). This center is dedicated to lama retreats for deity practices, where over 20 monks are in continuous retreat, practicing sadhanas such as Vajrakilaya (Dorje Phurba) and other deity teachings.

Mind Training Center

The monastery’s abbot, Tüsum, also established a Mind Training Center to provide a peaceful retreat environment for monks and lay practitioners preparing for intensive retreats.

Every five months, the center offers a “100-Day Preliminary Practice Course,” personally taught by Tüsum.

Ling of Study and Contemplation (Nyingma Monastic University)

In 1992, H.H. Penor Rinpoche, Tüsum, Khenpos, and tulkus of Pelyul Monastery held a conference and decided to upgrade the monastic college into a Nyingma monastic university, officially named “Nyingma Higher Buddhist Institute: The Island of Study and Contemplation” (Nyingma Shedra).

H.H. Penor Rinpoche personally funded the entire construction of the university. In 1994, the university officially opened, with Tüsum serving as the first principal.

The campus is built in traditional Tibetan architectural style and spans over 50,000 square meters.

It consists of:

• Lecture halls
• A grand Buddha hall
• Debate courtyard
• Nine classrooms
• Residences for Khenpos (professors)
• 350 student dormitories
• A library
• An archives room
• A dining hall
• Reception rooms
• Storage facilities
• A garage
• Landscaped outdoor areas

The academic system was jointly designed by Penor Rinpoche, Tüsum, Guchung Tulku, and Palyul’s Khenpos.

The full curriculum spans nine years, and graduates who pass exams and successfully defend their thesis receive the Khenpo degree.

The first enrollment in 1994 admitted 200 students. Since then, the university has accepted new students annually, maintaining an enrollment of around 350 students in the early 21st century.

Each student receives an individual dormitory, and their tuition, food, and living expenses are fully sponsored by H.H. Penor Rinpoche.

In 1998, Tüsum expanded the university by adding an affiliated school, offering free education in:

• Classical Tibetan literature
• Tibetan grammar
• Tibetan poetry
• Chinese language
• Religious rituals
• Tibetan astrology & calendrical studies
• Traditional Tibetan arts & crafts

By the early 21st century, the school had enrolled over 100 students, including underprivileged children and adults.

Tibetan Sutra Library

Starting in 1983, Tüsum spent twenty years raising funds and organizing teams to engrave over 50,000 pages of Karma Kagyu scriptures into printing blocks.

In 2003, a six-story library was built to store these sacred texts. Each floor covers 1,100 square meters, providing a permanent home for the Karma Kagyu Buddhist canon.

Religious Activities

Pelyul Monastery holds eight major Buddhist ceremonies annually, with the grandest and most spectacular event being the “Ten Days of Palyul” from the 1st to the 10th day of the 3rd month in the Tibetan calendar.

During this festival, the monastery hosts:

• The Great Thangka Unveiling Ceremony
• Cham Dance (Ritual Mask Dance)
• Tibetan Opera Performances

Pilgrims and visitors from Qinghai, Western Sichuan, and Gannan Tibetan regions gather in large numbers, creating an awe-inspiring, solemn, and vibrant atmosphere.

Other significant annual religious ceremonies include:

• Karma Kagyu Dharma Assembly
• Tenth Day Puja
• The Eight Sadhana Deities Practice,
• Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Puja (Jé A Nalimba)
• Vajrakilaya Puja
• Simhamukha (Lion-Faced Dakini) Puja (Ma-de)

Each grand Dharma assembly includes Vajra Cham (sacred Vajra dance rituals) as part of its ceremonies.

How to get to there

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Pelyul monastery is actually located on the north side of the hill in the center of Pelyul county, so the first thing is to get to Pelyul county first, then to this site.

The overland journey is via three routes that leading in or out Pelyul county:

• Pelyul to Garze (Kanze) : 230 kilometers, about 7 hours drive
• Pelyul to Derge : 100 kilometers, about 3.5 hours drive
• Pelyul to Batang : 200 kilometers, about 6.5 hours drive

Airport : There is no airport near Pelyul county. The closest one is Garze Gesar Airport, which is about 290 kilometers northeast.