Muya Monastery is located in the Geri Ma Village of Tagong Town, the entire village and monastery are nestled at the foot of the Yala Snow Mountain, with abundant cattle and sheep, offering a picturesque and deeply imbued Tibetan cultural atmosphere.
It is an important temple of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The name “Muya” represents the ancient and historical Tibetan region, holding significant importance in both the Tubo Kingdom history and the “Epic of King Gesar.” The old translation for “Muya” was “Mi Yao.” Today, it serves as both the name of an ancient tribe and a regional designation.
This is perfectly exemplified in the Geri Ma Village. Here, the people are simple, tourists are few, and there is almost no commercialization. The few visitors that do come are quiet and mainly take photographs. The monks in the monastery move through the village seemingly unaffected by the gaze of outsiders.
Muya monastery of Tagong is divided into a complex of buildings including the Buddhist Institute, Lama Temple, Jomu Temple, and Tibetan Hospital. In the village, one can see the Jomu Temple and other buildings, while the main monastery building is situated on the mountain behind the village, offering a view of the Yala Snow Mountain.
The walls of the monastery are adorned with numerous plaques inscribed with the six-syllable mantra, creating a unique and densely packed visual spectacle. Below the plaques are golden prayer wheels, which are almost always being spun by local Tibetans and monks.
Looking out from Muya Monastery towards Geri Ma Village, the houses are more scattered and colorful. In front of the monastery, there is a huge Mani stone Piles, consisting of millions of stacked Mani stones.
The Mani pile is a unique form of Tibetan culture and a manifestation of the Tibetan people’s devotion to Buddhism. The characters and patterns inscribed on the Mani stones are derived from the six-syllable mantra found in Buddhist scriptures, serving as sacred objects for devout Buddhists.
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