Zhide Dratsang

Zhide Dratsang, also known as “Shide Dratsang” or by its full name “Zhide Ganden Samtan Ling,” is not a monastery but a dratsang (monastic college).

Initially, it belonged to the Nyingma Pa of Tibetan Buddhism, but later it was converted to the Gelug Pa. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Daoguang (Reign from 1820 to 1850 AD) bestowed the name “Ningxi Temple” upon it.

Location

Zhide Dratsang is located about 500 meters southwest of the Ramoche Temple, in the third alley of Tsemoling Lane, on the north side of Beijing East Road. There are several tailors at the entrance of the alley. Walking north along the alley, you will first reach Tsemon Ling Monastery, and a bit further west, you will find Zhide Dratsang.

Currently, Zhide Dratsang is situated in a Tibetan residential courtyard. It has not been restored and remains a ruin.

Introduction

Zhide Dratsang is one of the four earliest Buddha halls in Lhasa, founded in the early 9^th century during the Tubo Dynasty.

According to the “Annals of the Kings of Tibet,” Zhide Dratsang was one of the many Lakhang (Buddha halls) built around Jokhang Temple, originally called “Gawa Lakhang,” which was relatively small in scale.

The “Biography of the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso: The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel” records that Zhide Dratsang was built by King Tritsu Detsan (AD 802 – AD 838).

In the 9^th century, Langdarma’s persecution of Buddhism led to varying degrees of destruction of many monasteries, including Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple, Samye Monastery, and Zhide Dratsang.

According to the “Golden Chronicles,” in the early 15^th century, with the support of the Tsangpa Desi of the Sakya Regime, Zhide Dratsang was expanded on its original site. It evolved from a Lakhang into a dratsang, with the number of monks increasing to over 20, and a fixed support system was established.

Later, the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso (AD 1708 – AD 1757), presided over another expansion. Zhide Dratsang then converted to the Gelug sect and became a subsidiary temple of Reting Monastery, serving as the residence of the Reting Rinpoches.

Subsequently, the Third Reting Rinpoche, Ngawang Yeshe Tsultrim Gyatsan, oversaw the renovation and expansion of Zhide Dratsang and obtained the imperial name “Ningxi Temple” from the Qing court.

In 1947, due to the “Fifth Reting Rinpoche Incident,” Zhide Dratsang was destroyed.

Reconstruction began in 1949, and by 1960, Zhide Temple housed 300 to 400 monks.

After 1960, the temple was destroyed again.

From 1965 to 1984, the temple was used as a military camp, and walls were built around it.

After the army left in 1984, civilians gradually moved in.

In 2011, Zhide Dratsang was included in the restoration plan under the key cultural relics protection project of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

In 2013, Zhide Dratsang was listed as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Architecture

The main structures of Zhide Dratsang include the scripture hall, Buddha halls, monks’ quarters, and monks’ kitchen.

At the center of the Dratsang is a square courtyard. The rear part contains the Buddha halls and scripture hall, while the other three sides of the courtyard house the monks’ quarters and kitchen.

The scripture hall is about 42 meters deep and 54 meters wide, with 48 columns. There is a skylight in the middle that extends to the second floor, and the walls are adorned with colorful paintings.

Behind the scripture hall are three Buddha halls in a row. The central hall is the main hall, flanked by two side halls. The three halls are interconnected and supported by a total of 12 columns. Originally, these halls contained clay sculptures and painted murals.

In front of the main entrance of the scripture hall is a veranda. There are small rooms on either side of the veranda, accessible by stone steps leading to the second floor.

Zhide Dratsang has over 100 monks’ quarters, all in the traditional Tibetan style with flat roofs and two stories.

An auxiliary building is located on the west side of the main hall. The northern half is a later-built toilet, while the southern half serves as the kitchen. Upstairs, near the eastern side, is an open area surrounded by low walls, measuring four columns in size, used for storing firewood and yak dung for fuel.

There was originally a stone well in the northwest part of the courtyard that provided drinking water for the entire Dratsang . Nowadays, residents of the courtyard draw water from a faucet in the middle of the courtyard and use a communal toilet on the west side of the courtyard.

To the north of Zhide Dratsang was an independent area that no longer exists. This area had entrances on the east, west, and south sides of the main building. Since 1937, it served as the residence and working area for the Reting Rinpoche who served as the regent and his key monks. This area had at least two cooks and covered an area of 16 columns.

The Reting Rinpoche’s own quarters were in the north wing of the main hall, behind the Lakhang (scripture hall). Originally, it had five stories, with the Rinpoche occupying the third, fourth, and fifth floors. Each floor covered an area of 16 columns.

There was also a toilet at the western end of the building.

The southern part of the main hall had a basement used for storage, and the upper floors were used for meetings and entertaining guests. A similar layout can be seen in the main hall of the Norbulingka

The main scripture hall of Zhide Temple is called “Ji-Ji Lakhang.” Like the side Lakhangs, it is supported by four columns and once housed three statues, though the details are no longer known.

The western side hall enshrines the Jampa Buddha (Maitreya), and the eastern side hall enshrines the Ji-Abissem Buddha. Both side halls contain scriptures stored on bookshelves against the east and west walls. Stairs are located at both the eastern and western ends of the building.

The scripture hall has three entrances. The main entrance is on the south side, with a smaller entrance on the southern end of the west wall for logistics, chores, and kitchen staff. There is also a discreet small door at the northern end of the west wall, leading to a narrow courtyard that used to house important monks and attendants.