Cogri Monastery

Cogri Monastery, also known as Kasa Monastery, is one of the larger Gelugpa monasteries in Luhuo County. Its full name is “Cogri Gaden Shadrub Phelgyaling”

Brief

It was founded in 775 AD by Cogri · Loyi Jiangcun, one of the seven great Sanskrit-Tibetan translators of the Tubo Dynasty. Originally belonging to the Nyingma sect, it was later converted to the Gelugpa in 1650 AD (the 7^th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Shunzhi Emperor). It is one of the thirteen major Yellow Hat sect monasteries in the Kham region.

Located to the west of Luhuo County town, near the border with Garze County, the monastery is situated in Dupa Village, at an altitude of 3441 meters. The majority of the followers are engaged in agriculture for their livelihood.

Scale

In the past, Cogri Monastery had over 800 monks, but currently, there are 266 monks residing in four kang cun (Dratsang). The monastery covers an area of over 15,000 square meters. The orderly and tightly arranged double-story wooden houses indicate its size. The spacious platform within the monastery is used for hosting debates, prayers, exorcisms, and other major religious events, accommodating tens of thousands of people.

Every year, during the 1^st month of the Tibetan calendar, the monastery holds the grand prayer ceremony “Molam-Chenpo”, during which devotees from all directions come to pray to the deities and listen to scriptures. The scene is grand, and the musical instruments of the monastery produce magnificent music.

Architecture

The main hall is the place where all the monks gather to recite scriptures and practice rituals. In the center is a large gilded statue of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect. On the right are various protector deities, and on the left are the stupas of the monastery’s past masters and living Buddhas. The colorful murals on the walls are rich in content.

Visitors can also see the Maitreya Hall by entering through the side door. The 10-meter-high statue of Maitreya, also known as the Jampa Buddha, is a significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. According to Buddhist legend, Maitreya was originally born into a Brahmin family in India and later became a disciple of Sakyamuni, eventually inheriting the position of the future Buddha. The left side of the main hall houses the auspicious hall, where scriptures are recited throughout the year, while the kitchen and guest room are located on the right. Behind the monks’ quarters, there is a courtyard where young lamas study scriptures and Buddhist doctrines. The scripture hall is filled with shelves holding Buddhist scriptures.