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Sakya Pa Monasteries

Pewar Monastery

January 4, 2022 by Tibetan Trekking Travel

Pewar Monastery, also known as “Baiya Monastery” in Chinese Pinying, is located in Dege County, Garze Prefecture, about 90 kilometers away from Dege County. It is accessible by road but no electricity.

Breif

It was founded in 1225 AD by Paldan·Yangchub Lingpa, one of the thirteen disciples of Rigung·Jigtensum whom was the founder of the Drigung Kagyu Sect. The period when Paldan·Yangchub Lingpa was the abbot was the most prosperous time of Pewar Monastery in its history, which according to the records of Pewar Monastery, the total number of monks and workers at that time exceeded tens of thousands.

However, about a hundred years after the establishment of Pewar Monastery, due to the changes of Drigung Kagyu itself, and following the conflict between Sakya pa, it became a Sakya tradition monastery at the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. After that, by 1959, there were only more than 100 monks remaining, and now there are about more than 50.

Introduction

The “Lakhang” hall is the oldest hall in Pewar Monastery, which was built during the Drigung Kagyu era, and it has a history of about 700 years. The “Lakhang” hall is a big assemblly hall with 30 pillars, in addition to the Spirit-pagodas, there are many precious Buddha statues and sutra pagodas in it

The “Lase” hall (meaning “New hall”) was built by Dege Tusi (meaning “chieftain”) — Tenpa Tseren, whom raised the funds. It has a history of nearly 300 years and has the scale of 36 pillars, which is even 6 pillars more than The “Lakhang” hall. This was a huge and difficult project in Dege which was poor in materials at the time.

In addition, there are five new and old Dharma shrines

Around 1958, most of the monastery itself and the Buddhist statues and pagodas enshrined in it were destroyed, and the “Lase” hall was preserved because it was used as public housing by the local villages

During the Cultural Revolution in 1966, Pewar Rinpoche properly collected more than 700 pieces of precious Buddha statues, sutra towers, and offering vessels, which were worth hundreds of millions of yuan.

In 1983, after the implementation of the religious policy in Dege County, with the joint efforts of the eminent monk headed by Pewar Rinpoche and the local religious people, and with the help of foreign friends ( by Kham Aid Foundation, the Pewar Monastery Mural Preservation Project ), the damaged “Lase” hall’s wall, assemblly hall, canteens, many temples of Dharma shrines, meditation institutes and other buildings, as well as many Buddha statues, spiritual pagodas and so on.

It is now working on rebuilding the old “Lakhang” hall, 25 lecture halls, canteens, butler rooms, As well as ten monks’ houses, it is hoped that Pewar Monastery will be given a new look.

Mural

In the long-term development of traditional Tibetan paintings, many styles and schools of various styles and inheritance systems have been formed. Among them, there are three major painting schools that still exist and are the most influential: that is,

–the “Miantang” painting school, which was founded by the master of painting Manla·Dengzhu Gyatso in the 15th century;
–the “Chentse Chenmo” painting school, which was founded by Chentse Chenmo in Shannan Area of Tibet;
–the “Karma Gartse”painting school, which was founded by Nanka·Tashi Rinpoche in the 16th century

The Thangka murals in Pewar Monastery are the most complete and exquisite Karma Gartse paintings in Garze Tibetan area.

The murals preserved from the Yuan Dynasty to the present have become cultural treasures.

A lot of gold were used in each thangka, the face of the Buddha painting is painted with gold, and the clothing lines are all outlined with gold, and the technique is delicate, which embodies the extremely high artistic value.

Annual practice and worship

In addition to renovating the new and old main halls, lecture halls and meditation halls of the temple, Pewar Monastery also held various practice and worship in the same way as before.

In the meditation center, there are monks who practice in retreat for three years and three months.

In addition, various regular pujas and worship rituals have been added as below listed

In January, the “Cause And Effect” Inheritance Guru Pujia, the Red Guanyin Ten-day Amrita-dra-chompa Pujia

In April, the Tathagata Puja·In May, Pujia for the auspicious bodhisattva and the rituals for the prosperity of prayer teachings

In June, Pujia for Summer retreat

In September, tthe “Cause And Effect” Inheritance Guru Pujia

In December, the Great Vajrayana Pujia

Filed Under: Sakya Pa Monasteries

Shalu Monastery

June 26, 2017 by Tibetan Trekking Travel Leave a Comment

Shalu monastery was be built by noble families of the Tsangpa during Tibet’s great revival of Buddhism, and was an important center of the Sakya Pa. It is known as a center of scholarly learning and psychic training for hundreds of years and its mural paintings were considered to be the most ancient and beautiful in Tibet.

Brief

The protection of Shalu was a project that was listed under the 11th Five Years Plan (2006 – 2010). It was thought to be one of the biggest heritage renovation projects in Tibet that involves reinforcement of its buildings, maintenance of sewage treatment facilities and improvement of fire and flood control systems”.

Shalu is about 30 kilometers south of Shigatse , was founded in 1040 AD by Chetsun Sherab Jungnay, and being extended in the early 14th century, by Kunzang Drakpa Gyaltsen. Shalu is one of the rare religious sites in Tibet that luckily avoiding the demolishing during the Cultural Revolution. The main Serkhang Temple was rebuilt in the middle of 1980 of 20th century, its interiors still remain exactly as what it was built. The history of the assembly hall dated back to the 11th century, which was rare and precious examples of Pala art. Unfortunately, some of the murals in the ground floor chapels are partly damaged due to the lack of knowledge of preserving this old arts;

Shalu was destroyed by an earthquake in 1329 AD, and was rebuilt in 1333 AD by local noble families and the last Khagan of the Mongol Empire Toghon Temür. The new buildings were dominated by Mongolian styles, however, the artisans are from Tibet and Nepal that results the style of Shalu is one mixture of Mongol, Tibet, and Nepal.

At the time of the monastery’s rebuilding 1330, Buton Rinpoche (1290 AD -1364 AD) was the host of the monastery, whom was a remarkable scholar and writer of the Sakya Pa and is Tibet’s most celebrated historian. He brought the the fundamental texts of Buddhism “Kanjur” & “Tenjur” to Shalu, in the meantime he supervised the creation of nearly 500 tantric mandalas, some of which are still be seen if the monk allows you to enter the sacred chapel. Buton Rinpoche cataloged the Buddhism texts. He also wrote the History of Buddhism in India and Tibet there, which many Tibetan scholars use in their study today. After his death the monastery became an important center of Tibetan Buddhism studiy and Buddhist learning for centuries.

  • Shalu Monastery
  • Shalu Monastery
  • Shalu-light
  •  Shalu-main-hall
  • Shalu-prayer-flag
  • Shalu-rooftop

Shalu Monastery Data


Address

Xia Lu village, Jia Cuo Xiong Xiang

Opening hour

09:00 am – 17:30 pm

Altitude

3,900 meters

Entrance fee

RMB 40 per person

How to get to there


By Bus

From Shigarste bus station, one bus evey 40 minutes to one hours; rate: RMB 5 per person

By Chartered vehicle

Approximately RMB 100.00-150.00 round trip

Filed Under: Sakya Pa Monasteries

Dranang Monastery

May 5, 2017 by Tibetan Trekking Travel Leave a Comment

Dranang monastery is also called Dratang monastery, and just 2 kilometers away from Dratang down which the monastery is located. It was found in 1081 by Drapa Ngonshe, whom was a native of Dranang valley and one of the 13 Holy men of Dranang valley.

Brief

Dranang monastery is an important conservation site for the artistic heritage of Tibet, and it is thought to be one of the evidence to prove the Tsangpo River valley region is the source of Tibetan and Tibetan culture.

Damage and Rebuild

Dranang monastery became Sakya pa in the 14th-15th century, and then being damaged by the Dzungar armies in the 18th century. It was repaired in the 1920’s and 1930’s by Reting Rinpoche, whom was the regent of Tibet from 1922-1941. Then it was damaged again during the 10 years culture revolution in 1960’s. Despite such enormous loss, the ground floor of the assembly hall has preserved a series of frescoes which are unique in Tibet. That is regarded to represent important synthesis of the Pala Indian Style and central Asian style;

Construction

The construction of Dranang monastery is similar to Samye monastery. Its main hall are surrounded by an elliptical wall, as a form of Mandala. The corridor murals depict the life of Sakyamuni and the careers of major Bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteshvara.

The inner Sanctum to the west is entered through a triple gateway, adorned with paintings of the four guardian kings and Bodhisattvas. This eight-pillared inner sanctum once contained a large 3.4 meters image of the Buddha which was unfortunately destroyed.

However, the murals have survived, those of which are on the south, north and west walls dating back from 11th century. Those of the east extremities of the north and south walls from the later Sakya Pa period. There are another 10 groups of early murals and paintings, among of which, those on the west wall are the best preserved, which the stylistic line and vibrant colors can still be seen

  • Dranang Monastery
  • Dranang praying wheels
  • main hall

Dranang Monastery Data


Address & Contact

Add : Dranang township
Contact : +86 893 736-2211

Opening hour

Full day

Altitude

3,600 meters

Entrance fee

RMB 20 per person

How to get to there


Dranang Monastery is about 50 kilometers from Tsetang county, and 115 kilometers from Lhasa

There is no bus to the monastery, but there are buses that connect Lhasa and Tsetang passing through Dranang county quite often, it is convenient to take bus and get off at Dranang county from which you can take local minibus to this site, or walk for about 2 kilometers from the bus stop to this monastery

The simplest way is by taxi or chartered vehicle, which may cost RMB 50.00 – 60.00 per person for a one way journey from Tsetang to here by a 7 seats minivan

Lhasa Gonggar Airport

Address: Jia Zu Lin Town, Gongga Xian
Contact: +86 891 6216465 / 6827727
Altitude: 3,600 meters
IATA Code: LXA

Shannan Bus Station

Address: No.12, Anhui Road
Contact: +86 893 7820159
Altitude: 3,550 meters
Working hours: 08:00 am – 20:00 pm

Filed Under: Sakya Pa Monasteries

Lhagang monastery

June 3, 2016 by Tibetan Trekking Travel Leave a Comment

Lhagang monastery is also called “Tagong monastery”. Its full name is “Minyag Lhagang Yongdzog Rabgyal Lhakang Thongdrol Samdrubling” in Tibetan. In its name, the “Yongdzog Rabgyal Lhakang” means the temple of prosperous end.

Brief

Because Lhagang monastery was built in 652 AD by the 33rd Tibet king of Songtsam Gampo for his Chinese wife – the Princess Wencheng. And this monastery was the last one among of the 108 temples and monasteries that he ordered to build across Tibetan plateau.

Inheritance

Lhagang monastery is thought to be the 1st Tibetan Buddhism monastery in Kham. It was initially the monastery practicing Kamar Kagyu lineage, then after converted to be Sakya Pa. It now has 108 white stupas behind the main temple and a hundreds of prayer wheels all around the monastery.

Stupa of Mahasiddhas

According to Tibetan Buddhism history, Huchen Kara, whom was one of the Indian Eighty Mahasiddhas, visited this holy place building a stupa and named it as Drupthok Choeten which literally means “Stupa of Mahasiddhas”. Later great scholars of Brahmin Saraha, Brahmin Gunpo, Vairochana, Padmasambhava, Yudra, Phakpa and four other Minyag local scholars built stupas which are still exist with other holy remains like speaking statue of Avalokiteshvara, Divine Conch Shell, Trumpet and conch of Vairochana, footprint of Dharmaraj Phakpa….

Status and development

Lhagang monastery is one of the popular monasteries in the Kham region and it receives thousands of local pilgrims every year to see its most holy image of Jowo Shakyamuni. Four spiritual mountains of Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani, Manjushri and Tara surround the monastery. The statue of Songtsam Gampo and his chinese wife Princess Wenchen of Tang Dynasty are now still worship in the holy temple that is on the left of the assemblly hall.

It now houses about 100 monks and more than 70 monk students have been learning in the Lhagong Buddhist Institution, which receives students across the entire Tibetan plateau including Tibet, Kham and Amdo. One of their studying course is to debating which is arranged in the yard of the monastery. The visitors are allowed to join them but without disturbing their debating process

In recent year, a school is opened and supported by Lhagang monastery that teaches Tibetan language and Buddhism

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  • lhagang monastery
  • Lhagang monastery
  • Lhagang
  • lhagang pilgrims

Lhagang Monastery Data


Address

La Long Village, By the main road

Opening hour

08:00 am – 18:00 pm

Altitude

3,530 meters

Entrance fee

RMB 20 per person

How to get to there


Lhagang monastery is about 50 kilometer from Kangding airport, about 1 hours drive, so the quickest way to get to this site is by flight;

By flight

There are daily flight between Chengdu and Kangding, then switch to local vehicle to get to Lhagang monastery

By vehicle

  • Bus : There are more than 15 local mini bus in between Kangding and Lhagang, with rate RMB 20 per person
  • Chartered vehicle: about RMB 200 – 300 round trip

Lhagang Puja


2021 Puja

Pray Puja February 12th – 26th
Great Day Sakyamuni Puja May 12th – 21st
Dharma protector Puja July 10th – 23rd

2022 Puja

Pray Puja February 1st – 15th
Great Day Sakyamuni Puja May 1st – 10th
Dharma protector Puja June 29th – July 12th

Filed Under: Sakya Pa Monasteries

Sakya Monastery

July 11, 2014 by Tibetan Trekking Travel Leave a Comment

Sakya monastery is located in the central Tibet, some 130 km southwest from Shigatse. “Sakya” is a translation from Tibetan pronunciation, it means “Grey and White Soil”.

  • The white color that represents Avalokitesvara
  • The red color that represents Manjushri
  • The blue color that represents Vajrapani

Brief

Sakya monastery is to be painted with the above three colors, therefore it is also called as “Flower Pa”

The monastery cover more than 18,000 square meters, while the huge assembly hall covers 6,000 square meters. It was founded in 1073 by Konchok Gyelpo (1034–1102), whom was originally a Nyingma pa monk and became the 1st Sakya Trizin. His powerful family governed Tibet during the 13th and the 14th centuries under the over-lordship of Yuan dynasty.

Artworks

It contains some of the most magnificent surviving artworks in Tibet, which have not been damaged even in the Culture revolutionary that happens in the 60’s of 20th century

Its Mongolian architectural style is quite different from other monasteries of other sects of Tibetan religion. Moreover around 84,000 scrolls were found sealed in a wall 60 meters long and 10 meters high at this Monastery in 2003. It is anticipated that they will be Buddhist scriptures, as well as literature, history, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics and art from ancient times. Those scrolls are said to have remained untouched for hundreds of years.

  • Sakya monastery
  • Sakya monastery
  • north part

Sakya Monastery Data


Address & Contact

Add : Ba Si Ba Road, Sakya county
Contact : +891 892 824-2589/824-2181

Opening hour

09:00 am – 18:00 pm

Altitude

4,320 meters

Entrance fee

RMB 50 per person

How to get to there


Sakya Monastery is located in the center area of Sakya county, it is about 5 minutes walk from Sakya county Bus Terminal

There are 3 buses between Sakya county and Shigatse county,

From Shigatse to Sakya county, with departures at: 10:00 am, 13:00 pm, 14:30 pm
From Sakya county to Shigatse, with departures at: 08:30 am, 10:30 am, 15:30 pm

Shigatse Peace Airport

Add: Samzhubze,
IATA Code: RKZ
Altitude: 3,780 meters
Phone: +86 892 8848651

Sakya Bus Station

Add: No. 21, Deji West Rd
Working hours: 08:00am – 17:30pm
Altitude: 4,316 meters

Filed Under: Sakya Pa Monasteries

Dzongsar Monastery

July 11, 2014 by Tibetan Trekking Travel Leave a Comment

Dzongsar Monastery is loacated in Dege County in the Kanze (or Garze, Ganze) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, approximately 10 – 11hrs trekking east to Pelpung monastery.

Brief

It was founded in 746 AD and was rebuilt in 1983. It now only has six large and small temples. The main temples cover 48,200 square meters. There are more than 200 monks residing at Dzongsar.

Featuring

Dzongsar runs a school teaching Tibetan traditions, it is noted for its openness to most of the teaching sects of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is also known for its incense and sells it commercially as Dzongsar Tibetan Incense Powder and Dzongsar Tibetan Incense Sticks. The incense is made from precious, natural herbal materials from the highlands of Eastern Tibet and is said to have healing effects for the mind and soul, and have the ability to prevent infectious diseases.

“Rime Movement”

Dzongsar monastery is one of the sources of “Rime Movement” which is the Sect Undifferentiated Movement, also known as the Non-Sect Movement. It is an important spiritual revival movement of modern Tibetan Buddhism that originated in the pre-Tibet area in the 19th century. Most of the initial promoters came from the Nyingma and Sakya Sects.

They hope to unify the differences between different sects of Tibetan Buddhism, and to have equal respect for the teachings and inheritance of different sects, so as to return to the original teachings of the Buddha and preserve the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

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  • dzongsar monastery

Dzongsar Monastery Data


Address

On the east end of Dzongsar, Da Ma village

Opening hour

Full day

Altitude

3,250 meters

Entrance fee

Free of charge

How to get to there


There are two ways to enter the valley that this Sakya Pa monastery is located

  • From Pelyul county, it takes about 3-4 hours by rented vehicle to cover the distance
  • From Derge, which has one bus to the Da Ma village, 2 buses a week

The best way to get in this valley is to rent local vehicle, which costs usually RMB 300 – 400 one way from Pelyul, or RMB 400 – 500 from Derge; The rental cost for a round trip in one day will be cheaper than to rent it one way or round trip in two or more days

Filed Under: Sakya Pa Monasteries

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