Gyirong Gonpa, also known as Gyarong Gonpa, with its ancient name “Togon Yungdrung Ling” (Tibetan: Gyarong Gonpa), is named after “Gyarong Yungdrung Yeshe,” hence it is called either Gyarong Gonpa or Gyirong Gonpa.
The exact date of its establishment remains uncertain, with two differing claims: one suggesting it was founded in 1648 CE, and the other in 1633 CE.
This is a Bon religion monastery and one of the family temples of the Gyarong Geshe lineage.
The monastery is located approximately 18 kilometers west of Luohuo County, at an altitude of about 3,300 meters.
Currently, the temple houses over 100 nuns (jomo).
The present abbot of the monastery is the fourth reincarnation of Master Yungdrung Yeshe, known as Chime Yungdrung Rinpoche.
Origin of the Gyirong Gonpa
In both the Sutra of Recollection Prophecy and the Sutra of Recollection of the Buddha, there are prophecies regarding the establishment of this temple by the Venerable Gyarong Yungdrung Yeshe.
Yungdrung Yeshe established two colleges at Gyirong Gonpa: one for scriptural studies and another for esoteric meditation practice. Through these, he trained outstanding masters such as Dodan Yungdrung Gyaltsen, Geshe Yungdrung Dengzhen, Lama Langgong Chicheng, Puwo Nima Gyaltsen, and Dharma King Songa Zhaba, among others. Countless disciples attained self-realization under his guidance.
Relying on the excellent traditions he passed down, the teachings of the Yungdrung Bon tradition spread to every corner of the Kangqu Tibetan region, laying the foundation for the unique methods of the Geshe school.
This place has not only produced great Dzogchen lineage masters like Yungdrung Yeshe and Yungdrung Gyaltsen but has also welcomed many accomplished practitioners who came to practice Dzogchen here.
Gyirong Gonpa Terrain
The terrain for the construction of Jirong Monastery is shaped like a right-handed conch shell. About one thousand meters to the north, the Xianshui River flows from west to east, while the Dada River flows from south to west, merging into the Xianshui River.
In front of the monastery, there are the “Mother Xu” sacred mountain and the “Manjushri Wrathful” sacred mountain. High monks such as Dorje Öser Gyatso and others have practiced the Yungchong Heart Doctrine here.
Within the “wings” of the conch shell-shaped terrain, there are many sacred meditation sites of past high monks, including places where Yungchong Yixi and Yungchong Gyatso practiced.
The “Transmission Prayer Sutra” mentions “the practice site of Dolong Yangwen, where Jiarong Yungchong Yixi offers prayers…” referring to this location.
At the top of the mountain is the meditation site of Dawa Zhaba.
Dawa Zhaba had practiced esoteric Buddhism at Jirong Monastery for a long time and received many nuns (known as Jue Mu) from all directions who came to hear the teachings and practice here.
This place is also considered a special and sacred site where many wisdom dakini gather and bestow blessings, possessing the five merits of a tranquil meditation forest.
The Great Masters
After the passing of Yungchong Yixi, his disciples, including Dorje Yungchong Gyatso and Zase Dawa Zhaba, as well as successive masters and virtuous friends, continued to teach the Buddha’s teachings at Jirong Monastery in line with Yungchong Yixi’s aspirations.
Zase Dawa Zhaba was born in 1882. His father was Zha Zhi Dan Zang Wang Jia, and his mother was Dai Jia (of Mongolian descent).
From a young age, he entered Jiawa Niang Mai Gu Monastery, where he relied on the great wisdom master Xindan Ciwang Jie and received his ordination. He learned and practiced the teachings of both the exoteric and esoteric traditions from many great masters, particularly venerating the wise teacher Xiaza Zaxi Gyatso.
At the age of forty, in 1921, he went to Jirong Monastery to practice esoteric Buddhism, where he taught Buddhist practices to practitioners from all over the world, particularly nuns, and trained many disciples such as Zhang Song Ze Weng Dan Zang.
Master Dawa Zhaba taught the profound esoteric heart practices to the nuns, guiding them in listening, thinking, meditation, debate, writing, chanting, and practicing according to the teachings, which made Jirong Monastery’s Esoteric Meditation Institute famous far and wide as a nunnery.
According to legend, on April 13, 1935, Dawa Zhaba passed away in a rainbow-like display in the sky, accompanied by auspicious signs such as natural mantras, leaving behind only his hair and nails.
Restoration and Reconstruction
During the Cultural Revolution, Jirong Monastery suffered significant damage. The halls, monks’ quarters, and other structures were severely destroyed, and regular activities such as teachings and religious practices were disrupted to varying degrees.
In the 1980s, the monastery was reopened. With the approval and support of the local government, Rinpoche Agen Gyapa led the monks in restoring the monastery’s tradition of religious practice and teachings. However, the monastery’s infrastructure remained in a dilapidated state, and there was much work to be done.
In 2010, Chiwang Dharma King—Kyimé Yungdrung Rinpoche, the fourth reincarnation of Yungdrung Yixi—was enthroned as the abbot of Jirong Monastery.
Since then, under the leadership of the new abbot, efforts have been made to improve both the quality of teachers, education, and monastic management, as well as to enhance the external infrastructure of the monastery.
The region where the monastery is located is economically underdeveloped, and local devotees were unable to provide sufficient financial support for its renovation. Therefore, with the help of Han Chinese supporters, the abbot initiated restoration work in 2010, starting with the construction of a mountain road. Gradually, the dilapidated structures were repaired and rebuilt, including the main hall, dormitories, and dining hall of the nuns’ meditation center.
Between 2010 and 2013, thanks to the tireless efforts of the abbot and the generous support of benefactors and compassionate individuals, Jirong Monastery successfully rebuilt the road from the foot of the mountain to the summit. The main hall and dining hall of the nuns’ meditation center were completed, and several new dormitories were gradually constructed, alleviating the previous issue where multiple nuns had to crowd into a single wooden hut.
At present, construction is still ongoing…
Education and Management
Despite its challenging conditions, Jirong Monastery has upheld the legacy of past masters and developed into a rigorous and well-structured higher Buddhist institute for nuns, known as the Five Sciences Buddhist Academy. More than a hundred resident nuns diligently study and practice throughout the year under the guidance of Master Agen Gyapa and Geshe Sherab Jinpa.
The monastery strives to provide support for the nuns’ daily lives and studies, primarily relying on donations from benefactors and compassionate supporters.
A unique feature of the Jirong Monastery Nuns’ Buddhist Academy is that incoming nuns may choose between two study paths: the “Lecture and Debate Academy” for Buddhist philosophy or the “Meditation Academy” for esoteric practice.
Nuns who choose the “Lecture and Debate Academy” must undergo twelve years of study, starting with Buddhist logic and debate, eventually mastering profound Buddhist philosophy. They must be able to articulate key doctrinal points clearly, debate without hindrance, and deliver fluent teachings, ultimately becoming qualified Dharma teachers.
Nuns who enter the “Meditation Academy” must undergo six years of systematic practice, progressing through the preparatory and main stages of Bon Buddhist meditation. By the time they leave the meditation center, they are expected to have attained the ability to independently navigate all aspects of their future spiritual practice.
The academy enforces strict management and maintains a well-structured curriculum. All nuns must adhere to the monastery’s daily schedule, and failure to do so results in disqualification from further studies at the monastery.
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