Lower Tantric College

Also known as “Gyümé Dratsang” in Tibetan, Gyümé Dratsang is a tantric college of the Gelug Pa of Tibetan Buddhism. It is one of the highest institutes of tantric studies within the Gelug tradition.

Located on Beijing Middle Road in Lhasa, it borders the Meru Monastery to the east and covers an area of approximately 2,100 square meters.

Brief

Gyümé Dratsang was founded in 1433 AD by Tsongkhapa’s seventh great disciple, Jeydzun·Sherab Sengge.

The college suffered severe damage during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s.

In 1980, following the implementation of new religious policies, the local government allocated funds for its restoration.

By the 2000s, Gyümé Dratsang had more than 50 monks engaged in tantric studies.

Features

The main hall enshrines a large statue of Je Tsongkhapa, and the meditation hall is adorned with numerous conch shells. The side hall houses many statues of Tara.

On the candelabrum in the side hall is a butter lamp with a cap resembling a hat supported by an iron rod. The flame’s heat causes the cap, called “Chema” by the attending monks, to rotate continuously without the rod moving.

The temple also features a thangka painting called “Drolma Songjin,” whose eyes seem to follow the observer no matter the viewing angle.

On the second floor of the shrine, many painted jars called “Pengbu” are stored, sealed with colorful cloth.

These jars are painted with two different patterns: one representing the heavens and the other the seabed. Inside the jars is soil from regions such as Shigatse and Shannan. Tibetan people often request “Pengbu” from Gyümé Dratsang when building houses and bury them at the top of new homes to symbolize auspiciousness and peace.

Many monks leave Gyümé Dratsang, as the monastery allows for flexible admission and departure, resulting in fluctuating numbers of monks.

Although Gyümé Dratsang is nominally part of Ganden Monastery’s tantric college, it functions independently. It stands on an equal footing with Ganden Monastery and is a higher-ranking institution than the tantric colleges of Drepung and Sera monasteries. Monks from the three major monasteries must complete their studies in Exoteric Buddhism before entering Gyümé Dratsang for tantric studies.

Architecture

Gyümé Dratsang’s main buildings include the assembly hall, Buddha hall, debate courtyard, and scripture printing room. Among these, the main hall stands out in terms of both scale and artistic value.

Main Hall

Located at the center of Gyümé Dratsang, the main hall faces south and is a four-story building with over 70 rooms.

First Floor of the Main Hall:

• Assembly Hall: The southern part of the first floor is the large assembly hall, covering an area of 882 square meters with 48 columns. The central four columns extend to the second and third floors, supporting a high skylight. The assembly hall can accommodate over 500 monks for chanting. The walls are adorned with murals depicting stories of the Gelug school. The eastern room of the assembly hall contains 12 columns and houses three clay statues of Buddha. Six large murals of protector deities are painted on either side of the main door.
• Buddha Hall: The northern part is the Buddha hall, occupying 415 square meters with a western wing. It enshrines clay statues of Tsongkhapa and his three disciples, about 10 meters tall. The left and right sides of the Buddha hall are dedicated to protector deities.

Second Floor of the Main Hall:

• The second floor has a “冂”-shaped layout. The northern hall enshrines clay statues of Amitayus and Avalokiteshvara. Other rooms are monk quarters.

Third Floor of the Main Hall:

• This floor also serves as monk quarters.

Fourth Floor of the Main Hall:

• This smaller floor, supported by a single column, is the Dalai Lama’s residence.

Debate Courtyard:

• To the west of the main hall, there’s an open debate courtyard surrounded by a corridor, with a southern passage leading to the scripture printing room.

Scripture Printing Room:

• Located south of the debate courtyard.

Gates:

• The main gate is 43 meters directly in front of the main hall, while the second gate is 40 meters in front. Both gates have flanking monk quarters, now reconstructed.

Scale and Management

The number of monks in Gyümé Dratsang is limited to 500, divided into five khamtsen (monastic divisions).

Administrative Positions:

• Khenpo (Abbot): 1 Khempo, with a three-year term.
• Lama “Ongtse” (Head Lama): 1 Head Lama, also with a three-year term.
• Chagdzo (Administrator): 4 Chagdzo, with four-year terms.
• Geckö (Disciplinarian): 1 Geckö, with a one-year term.

All these positions used to require approval from the Dalai Lama or the Regent for appointment.

Admission Requirements and Studies

To be admitted to Gyümé Dratsang, monks must have completed studies in one of the three major Gelug monasteries in Lhasa. Although Drepung and Sera monasteries also have tantric colleges, these are considered lower-level stages, while Gyümé Dratsang represents an advanced stage.

Gyümé Dratsang has an organizational structure parallel to Ganden Monastery.

Curriculum:

• The primary studies include Guhyasamāja, Cakrasaṃvara, Yamantaka, and other tantric and protector practices. These deities, often depicted with animal heads or in yab-yum (father-mother) forms, distinguish tantric practices from general Buddhist practices.

Practices:

• The studies involve extensive use of mantras, initiations, mandalas, and rituals.

Gyümé Dratsang does not have a fixed study duration, allowing monks to leave or remain for life. However, monks with the “Lharampa” degree (equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist studies) can be promoted to administrative positions within the dratsang based on seniority, marking the pinnacle of monastic advancement.

Study and Promotion Process

The organizational structure of Gyümé Dratsang is similar to that of other dratsangs. However, key positions from the Geckö (disciplinarian) upward must be filled by Lharampa degree holders.

Promotion Pathway:

1. Geckö: Upon completing the term, monks are promoted based on seniority.
2. Lama Umdze (chant leader): After serving as Geckö, monks are promoted to Umdze based on seniority.
3. Khenpo (abbot): Following their term as Umdze, monks can be promoted to Khenpo based on seniority.
4. Khenpo Su: After serving a three-year term, Khenpos retire and are known as “Khenpo Su.”
5. Jangtse Chöje or Shartse Chöje: Retired Khenpos can be promoted to these positions based on seniority. These titles translate to “Dharma Lord of the Northern Peak” and “Dharma Lord of the Eastern Peak,” respectively, and are associated with Ganden Monastery’s two major dratsangs.
6. Ganden Tripa: The Jangtse and Shartse Chöje take turns filling this role, becoming the throne holder of Ganden, inheriting the lineage of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school.
7. Reincarnate Lamas: After serving as Ganden Tripa, monks can be recognized as reincarnate lamas, allowing them to be reborn as tulkus.

Ganden Tripa: This position is held for seven years, after which the monk becomes “Trisur,” a retired Ganden Tripa. Both serving and retired Ganden Tripas are eligible to be candidates for acting as regents in the absence of the Dalai Lama, overseeing the administration of Tibet.

Monastic Discipline

Gyümé Dratsang is known for its strict monastic discipline.

All monks, including reincarnate lamas, receive equal treatment in terms of living conditions. Monks engage in practices characteristic of ascetics and itinerant monks, leading austere lives under stringent regulations:

Ascetic Practices:

• Daily Schedule: Monks attend four sessions daily, beginning at 2 AM, barefoot regardless of the weather.
• Study Practices: Each monk digs a pit under a tree, lines it with stones, and sits there to study regardless of the weather.
• Fasting: Monks observe the practice of not eating after noon.
• Sleeping Arrangements: Monks sleep collectively in the main hall at night.
• Pilgrimages: Monks travel annually to designated locations, practicing 21 different rituals. These journeys involve marching in formation, carrying their own belongings, with only the Khenpo allowed to ride a horse, regardless of weather conditions.