Taklung Monastery

Located at the southern foot of Maomao Mountain in Pangduo Township, Linzhou County, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, Taklung Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Taklung Kagyu school, and the principal monastery (mother monastery) of this lineage.

The monastery integrates the teachings of the Kadam and Kagyu traditions. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties, it developed into a major religious center in northern Tibet, receiving imperial patronage and recognition from Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty and the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. At the same time, Riwoche Monastery was founded in present-day Riwoqe County, Chamdo, creating the “Upper and Lower Taklung” lineage system.

After reopening in 1982, the monastery preserved cultural relics such as an imperial saddle bestowed by the Kangxi Emperor. In 2015, it launched an expansion project and held the enthronement ceremony of the Dharma King. In 2024, branch libraries were established, including a library for ancient texts and an intangible cultural heritage sub-museum. Today, the monastery preserves sacred relics such as a silver stupa and a miraculous self-manifest statue, while continuing religious practices and contributing to cultural heritage such as Tibetan calligraphy.

About the Taklung Kagyu

The Taklung Kagyu school is one of the eight minor branches of the Phagdru Kagyu, itself one of the four main sub-schools of the Dagpo Kagyu lineage. It is historically influential and has survived to the present day.

“Taklung” is a place name. In Tibet, there are two locations known as Taklung: one in today’s Linzhou County, Lhasa, in the Pengbo region; and another in Langkazi County, Shannan Prefecture.

Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal (1142–1210), a disciple of Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo, founded the “Taklung Dorjeden Monastery” in the Pengbo Taklung area of present-day Linzhou. This became known simply as “Taklung Monastery.” Because it lies north of Lhasa, it was also called “Northern Taklung Monastery.” The lineage that developed from it came to be known as the Taklung Kagyu, and its founder, Tashi Pal, was honored as “Taklung Thangpa.”

From the time Taklung Thangpa assumed the position of abbot (commonly referred to as the “Taklung Dharma King”), until the tenure of the fourth abbot Sangye Ön (1251–1296), the leadership saw a transition. Sangye Ön served only one year before stepping down, after which Mangala Guru became the new fourth abbot.

After leaving Pengbo, Sangye Ön traveled to the Kham region, to Leiwuqi (“Leiwuqi” meaning “Great Mountain”), in search of a site to found a monastery. In 1277, he established Yangong Monastery and the grand “Sama” assembly hall at Na’itang, on the upper reaches of the Sechu River before the sacred mountain Dechenpozhang. He served as the first abbot there. Later, in 1326, Abbot Ugyen Gonpo completed the “Khrajima” assembly hall (some accounts say Sangye Ön laid its foundation in 1285, with completion in 1328 under Ugyen Gonpo). This monastery became one of the two principal centers of the Taklung Kagyu and the main seat of the school in Kham.

According to legend, when Sangye Ön left Taklung Monastery, he took with him two sacred relics: the relics of Milarepa and a pair of shoes worn by him (some sources say it was his staff and spoon).

The Taklung Kagyu lineage transmitted at Pengbo’s Taklung Monastery came to be known as “Upper Taklung” (Tib. Yatang), while the lineage of Leiwuqi’s Riwoche Monastery became “Lower Taklung” (Tib. Matang).

Both monasteries were founded by members of the Gase family, and the abbotship was passed down through a system of hereditary succession (known as “Wengyu”), wherein nephews or younger male relatives inherited the position.

Introduction

Taklung Monastery is located in Linzhou County, Lhasa City, at the foot of Qiala Mountain in Pangduo Township. Its full name is Taklung Thang Monastery. The monastery was founded in 1180 CE by Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal, who propagated the teachings of the Kagyu school.

Although Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal’s teachings derived from the Phagdru Kagyu, they developed distinctive characteristics. Thus, the lineage transmitted from Taklung Monastery came to be known as the Taklung Kagyu.

In 1276 CE, a disciple, Sangye Ön, was sent to the region of Riwoche (Leiwuqi), where he founded Riwoche Monastery. This became the principal seat of the school in Kham, known as Matang (“Lower Taklung”), while the mother monastery, Taklung, was referred to as Yatang (“Upper Taklung”).

Taklung Monastery grew to a vast scale. The Guide to the Sacred Sites of Ü-Tsang records:
“Within the Auspicious Taklung Thang Monastery, the number of sacred Buddhist relics is beyond counting. Most notable is the statue in the hermitage of Master Taklung Thangpa, which once miraculously spoke. In the upper floor of the main assembly hall stands an image of Master Jangchub Ö, whose hair continues to grow. Such miraculous objects are too numerous to list.”

Life of Tashi Pal

Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal was born in Yangshö Bongreten, into the Rugé branch of the Zhas Tsangpo family.

At the age of 18, he took monastic vows. His preceptor was Kadam master Lhagangpa Sherab Dorje, and his disciplinarian was Chatrin Gomangwa. He later studied Kadam teachings such as the Bodhisattvacharyavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life) and the Compendium of Studies under Geshe Zhagönpa, traveling to Tangja, Dangse, Jomuthang, and other places to receive teachings.

At 24, he went to Lhoka to study under Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo, receiving Kagyu teachings for six years.

After Phagmo Drupa’s passing in 1170, he traveled to Meldro Gungkar to study further with Kadam master Chakapa. He received full monastic ordination with Khyangshemawa as preceptor, Mabajongtangpa as disciplinarian, and Khyangdün Gemiwa as instructor, gaining deep knowledge of both Kadam and Kagyu traditions.

In 1180, he was invited by the people of Da, Zhe, and Rongto to Taklung, where he founded Taklung Monastery and was honored with the title Taklung Thangpa.

After the monastery’s completion, Taklung Thangpa remained there for 30 years, teaching and guiding disciples. By the time of his passing, the monastery housed 3,000 monks.

He frequently sent offerings and scriptures to Dansa Til Monastery, founded by his teacher Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo, though these were repeatedly seized by his fellow disciple Zhigungpa. This caused him much sorrow.

In 1210, he passed away at the age of 69.

A report given in 1204, after the Mongol general Doda entered Tibet on behalf of Köden, stated:
“In Tibet, the Kadam monasteries are the most numerous; the monks of the Taklung school are the most virtuous; the power of the Drigung school is the greatest; and Sakya Pandita’s scholarship is the highest.”
This demonstrates the high reputation of the Taklung Kagyu during that era.

Taklung Thangpa himself was regarded as the “most virtuous” master of his time and held great renown throughout northern Tibet.

Life of Rinchen Gonpo

After the passing of Taklung Thangpa, his nephew Guyawa Rinchen Gonpo (1191–1236) succeeded him as abbot (khenpo) of Taklung Monastery.

Rinchen Gonpo became a monk at the age of 11 and, at 13, studied under Taklung Thangpa at Taklung Monastery. At 20, following his master’s passing, he assumed the role of abbot.

During his tenure, he first built a small silver stupa about one cubit in height, followed by a larger silver stupa, enshrining within its sūrya platform (the stupa’s neck) a statue of Master Phagmo Drupa cast from 17 liang of gold.

He also constructed two reliquary stupas, enshrining an image of Master Taklung Thangpa within silver bowls covered by silver parasols. In addition, he built a large silver statue of Taklung Thangpa.

Because the monastery possessed a great many scriptures and sacred images, in 1228 he oversaw the construction of a grand assembly hall. He also renovated monastic residences, raising the number of monks from 700 to 2,800.

Rinchen Gonpo was a skilled administrator. Not only did he govern Taklung Monastery effectively, but he also formalized agreements requiring peasant households to perform corvée labor for the monastery. Historical records state that, within a short time, he increased the number of subjects under his jurisdiction from 82 to 5,000.

The Abbots of Taklung Monastery

The third abbot of Taklung Monastery, Sangye Yajun Shirawa Lama (1203–1272), lived a life of reclusion and formulated detailed monastic regulations. Tradition holds that when the Yuan dynasty’s Imperial Preceptor Phakpa Lama was returning from Dadu (Yuan capital) to Sakya and passed Taklung Monastery, Shirawa Lama went out to greet him, and the two performed the “head-touching” greeting (thödröl). This gesture, in Tibetan Buddhism, was exchanged only between persons of equal standing, showing the high status of Shirawa Lama and the significant influence of Taklung Monastery at that time.

It is said Shirawa Lama entrusted his nephew, Mangala Guru (1231–1297), to the care of Phakpa. After his passing, another nephew and disciple, Sangye Ön (1231–1294), initially succeeded him as abbot. However, with Phakpa’s support, Mangala Guru ultimately secured the position, becoming the fourth abbot of Taklung Monastery.

Mangala Guru became a monk at age 16 under Khenpo Tangjawa and Master Khedrup Zhaba Sangpo, studying the Vinaya and the Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. Under the guidance of Khedrup Tokchenpo, he learned the practices of Hevajra, Kalachakra, and the profound teachings of Taklung Thangpa. At 25, he received full ordination at Taklung Monastery from Khenpo Tongkaba Woser Gyünle and Ajakan Wenpa Rinchen Tashi.

Later, under Abbot Sangye Yajun, he received instructions on the “Six Yogas of Naropa” and Mahamudra, engaging in 16 years of meditation retreat and attaining samadhi (deep meditative absorption).

He presided over Taklung Monastery for 25 years. After his passing, the esteemed master Mapang Gonpo Tashi Lama became the fifth abbot.

The ninth abbot, Tashi Pelzang (1359–1424), was honored by the Ming Emperor Yongle with the title of State Preceptor and presented with a silver seal and official decree. In 1376, at age 18, he was appointed abbot. At 20, he traveled to Lhasa, where he was warmly received by the Situ Gyalrongpa of the Tséba lineage and others. Tibetan historical records note that he was a contemporary of Je Tsongkhapa. His descendant, Dharma King Tashi Beyoba (1408), also became head of Taklung Monastery and heard teachings directly from Tsongkhapa. Because Tashi Pelzang was responsible for building Rinchencha Monastery, his connections with the Kadam school were strong.

Under the abbacy of Chöjé Rinpoche Awang Chapa Pelzangpo, Taklung Monastery experienced significant growth. By the late 15th century, it remained widely renowned across Tibet for its strict discipline, in contrast with the increasingly lax practices in other monasteries.

During the Ming dynasty, the ninth abbot, Taklung Tashi Pelzang (1359–1424), was blessed by the eighth abbot Redanakare upon first sight. At age six, under the disciplinarian Gönpa Rinshün, he studied writing and recitation; at 11, he learned tantric teachings from Rinchenwa; and at 17, he received full ordination from Rinpoche Namkha Pelzangpo and Letün Rinchen Ngö, taking the name “Tashi Pelzang Nyima Wangbu Sönbe Gochak” (meaning “Auspicious Vajra Armor Protector”). At 18, he assumed leadership of Taklung Monastery, widely turning the wheel of Dharma.

After the death of his master Namkha Pelzangpo, he commissioned a cubit-high silver reliquary stupa, a large Buddha statue, and many scriptures. He was later appointed State Preceptor by the Ming Emperor Yongle, receiving a silver seal and decree. He suffered from heart disease and passed away in 1424. After his death, the tenth abbot was Sonam Gyaltsen (1386–1434), who at age 46 built a jewel-encrusted stupa containing exquisite statues.

Although the Taklung Kagyu lineage continued into modern times, its strength gradually waned under the growing influence of the Gelug school.

Present Situation

The two principal monasteries of the Taklung Kagyu school—Taklung Monastery and Riwoche Monastery—once each housed three to four thousand monks. Over the centuries, Riwoche grew into the largest monastery in Chamdo. Later, both Taklung and Riwoche adopted the tulku (reincarnated lama) system for their abbots.

Taklung Monastery developed two main tulku lineages: the Taklung Machang incarnation line, traced back to the 13th century (to Rinchen Gonpo), and the Taklung Dzigdrul incarnation line, beginning around the 17th century. The Italian Tibetologist Giuseppe Tucci recorded in Tibet: Land of the Snows:
“Taklung Monastery had three reincarnate lamas presiding: the Shachung Tulku, the Machang Tulku, and the Dzigdrul Tulku. Whenever one lineage seat fell vacant, it was filled by a boy from the Dowa family of noble monks.” (The Dowa family is the Dokha family.)

Riwoche Monastery also developed two tulku systems, beginning around the 17th–18th centuries. Over time, numerous branch monasteries of the Taklung Kagyu appeared across Ü-Tsang, Tsang, and Kham, producing many eminent masters.

The Taklung Kagyu tradition’s main teachings include the Thirty-Nine Practices and other transmissions.

From the 18th century onward, the school gradually declined. In 1679, an internal conflict among Taklung leaders over control of the monastery led to the loss of all territorial holdings, and even the abbacy of Taklung Monastery itself was seized. The Dowa (Dokha) family only regained influence when Dowa Tsering Wanggyel was appointed Kalön (minister) by the Qing Emperor, the Seventh Dalai Lama, and the Kashag, earning him the title “Kalön Shachung.” The Dowa family held extensive estates not only in Dokha Khika but also in Lhasa, Pengbo, and elsewhere.

In the early 21st century, the abbot of Taklung Monastery was Dzigdrul Tulku Dingjen Wiser, who also served as deputy secretary-general of the Tibet Branch of the Buddhist Association of China.