Mindrolling Monastery

Mindrolling Monastery was established in 1676 AD. It was mandatory for the monks to learn astronomy, the Tibetan lunar calendar, as well as Buddhist scriptures, calligraphy, rhetoric, and Traditional Tibetan medicine.

Brief

It was once damaged in 1718 by Mongols and was rebuilt during the reign of the 18^th century under the reign of the 7^th Dalai Lama. Then after it was damaged again in the middle of the 20^th century. Today, it is still under rebuilding.

Location

The monastery is located in Zhanang County about 100 kilometers southwest of Lhasa , and there is about 100,000 square meters large. The main hall is called “Zulukang”, and its murals are painted ferocious Buddha with multiple heads and arms, which is one major feature of Ningma pa. There are two main chapels on the third floor of this main hall, one of which is called “Lama Lhakhang Chapel”, and it houses the painting of the important Nyingma Pa Lamas。

Features

Mindrolling Monastery features on astronomical & calendar teaching , Tibetan medicine teaching , and being well-known across Tibet for the beautiful calligraphy. According to the tradition, some well educated monks are selected, and being assigned as the teacher in the monk’s academy that is attached with Potala Palace, while others are assigned to Menzikang whom are responsible for the research and the preparing the revision of “Tibetan calendar” for each year. The monks of this monastery are allowed to get marry and having kids and the succession of the monastery is not entirely limited to the relationship between father and son.

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How to get to there

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Mindrolling monastery is about 15 kilometers southeast from Dranang county, it is recommended to rent a local vehicle that costs usually RMB 30.00 – 50.00 per person for a trip from Tsetang to here with one 7 seats minivan.

Distance from Mindrolling

• To Lhasa : 130 kilometers, about 2.5 hours’ drive
• To Tsetang: 50 kilometers, about 1 hours’ drive