Difference between revisions of "Kardang Monastery"
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[[File:Kardang-Monastery.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Kardang-Monastery.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Kardang Monastery or Gompa is a famous Drukpa Lineage | + | Kardang [[Monastery]] or Gompa is a famous [[Drukpa Lineage]] [[Monastery]], and is the most important [[Monastery]] the Lahaul valley, [[India]]. The associated village of Kardang was once the capital of Lahaul. |
| − | The | + | The [[Monastery]] is a huge white building bedecked with [[Prayer]] flags. It is situated on a ridge below the 15,000 foot (4,572 metres) Rangcha peak, at an altitude of 3,500m on the left bank of the Bhaga [[River]], facing the town of Keylong, about 8 km away. Kardang is well connected by the road via the Tandi bridge which is about 14 km from Keylong. The [[Monastery]] was featured on the November 7, 2010 episode of the History Channel TV series IRT Deadliest Roads, where trucker Rick Yemm delivered a large golden [[Buddha]] statue to the [[Monastery]] and was greeted by the [[Monastery]]'s head, [[Lama]] Paljoa. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The | + | The [[Monastery]] is believed to have been built in the 12th century and houses a large library of [[Buddhist]] literature, including the Kangyur and Tangyur scriptures in the Bhotia or Sherpa [[Language]]. There is also a good collection of fine thankas, musical instruments such as lutes, drums, horns, as well as old [[Weapons]]. There are colourful frescoes and fascinating murals. |
| − | The | + | The [[Monastery]] was in ruins until it was renovated in 1912 CE by [[Lama]] Norbu [[Rinpoche]] (died 1952), who, with [[Lama]] Kunga, turned it into "a proper educational and training establishment." |
| − | In the first room is a 4 foot (1.23 metres) high silver | + | In the first room is a 4 foot (1.23 metres) high silver [[Chaitya]] or [[Chorten]] preserving the skull and ashes of [[Lama]] Norbu. To the Right of it is are [[Statues]] of [[Padmasambhava]] and [[Tara]] ([[Devi]]), and in the back, one of Tagden Shakyashree, [[Guru]] of [[Lama]] Kunga. 103 volumes of the Kangyur are kept here, while behind are 64 [[Tantra]] [[Books]] on various subjects. The second room is the main [[Prayer]] Hall with an eleven-headed statue of [[Avalokitesvara]]. On a high pedestal at the Right are some of [[Lama]] Norbu's castoff garments and with a skull in front. In the third room is a six foot wooden [[Prayer]] [[Wheel]] with a brass [[Bell]] on it. There are now about thirty [[Monks]] and [[Nuns]] (chomos) in the [[Monastery]], and two British [[Nuns]] have studied, meditated, and been initiated in recent years. |
| − | The | + | The [[Monks]] and [[Nuns]] have equal rights, and the [[Monks]] have permission to marry. The [[Monks]] spend the summer with their families working their fields, in the winter they return to the [[Monastery]]. There is a huge [[Prayer]] drum in the [[Monastery]] with the sacred six-syllable [[Mantra]], [[Om Mani Padme Hum]], written a million Times on strips of paper. It also has a Narbo as its head [[Lama]]. |
| − | Because the | + | Because the [[Monastery]] is on the southern bank of the Bhaga [[River]], it gets very little sun, while Keylong on the opposite side gets far more as it is facing south. Because of this the Moravian Christian [[Mission]], which was established here in 1857, was later moved across the [[River]] to Keylong. |
| − | ==Modern story by | + | ==Modern story by [[Monastery]] head [[Lama]] Paljor Larje== |
| − | The old | + | The old [[Monastery]] temple was fully destroyed by [[Rain]] at 1998. The new temple was rebuilt at 1999-2009 by present [[Monastery]] head [[Lama]] Paljor. The previous [[Monastery]] head - [[Lama]] Apo rinponche came from [[Tibet]] about 1959. He became [[Monastery]] head in 1970. [[Lama]] Paljor larje was his [[Disciple]] since he was 13 years old. Khantse rimponche lead the [[Monastery]] when Apo rimponche died in 1981. [[Lama]] Paljor Larje lead the [[Monastery]] from 1999 onward. |
The new temple has two floors. Each floors have one room. | The new temple has two floors. Each floors have one room. | ||
| − | The ground floor is place for laymen. It has a number of very old | + | The ground floor is place for laymen. It has a number of very old [[Statues]] and paintings. When a laymen enters to temple he sees three main [[Statues]] on the front: [[Buddha]] Shakjamuni statue on the middle, [[Buddha]] [[Vajradhara]] on the left and [[Buddha]] [[Padmasambhava]] on the Right. On the Right side of the main the laymen may see the [[Statues]] including the following: |
| − | # Buddha Amitabha | + | # [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] |
| − | # Tara | + | # [[Tara]] |
| − | # Maha sidha ( | + | # Maha sidha ([[Siddha]]) Shakya Shri |
| − | # Marpa - great | + | # Marpa - great [[Buddhist]] text translator |
# Yogin Malarepa | # Yogin Malarepa | ||
| − | # Gampopa | + | # [[Gampopa]] |
| − | # Lama Norbu | + | # [[Lama]] Norbu [[Rinpoche]] - both statue and [[Stupa]] with his relic |
| − | There are some of | + | There are some of [[Statues]] on the Right side: |
| − | # Buddha Avalokiteshvara | + | # [[Buddha]] [[Avalokiteshvara]] |
| − | # Heruka | + | # [[Heruka]] [[Deity]] |
| − | # Vajrayogini | + | # [[Vajrayogini]] |
| − | # Maha sidha ( | + | # Maha sidha ([[Siddha]]) Shakya Shri |
| − | # Yunjin | + | # Yunjin [[Rinpoche]] |
| − | # Kunga | + | # [[Kunga Rinpoche]] - both statue and [[Stupa]] |
| − | # Apo | + | # Apo [[Rinpoche]] - [[Stupa]], previous [[Monastery]] head |
| − | Painting The temple has a number of old cloth paintings: Tibtain tradition painting, Kalachakra | + | Painting The temple has a number of old cloth paintings: Tibtain tradition painting, [[Kalachakra]] [[Deity]] painting, [[Buddha]] Jataka, Melorepa stories and so on. Molarepa story is estimated as 400 years painting. |
| − | The ground floor ceiling has a number of tradition painting compositions. The Guru-yoga | + | The ground floor ceiling has a number of tradition painting compositions. The [[Guru-yoga]] [[Mandala]] on the Right and Chakrasambara [[Mandala]] on the left surround The [[Buddha]] [[Akshobhya]] figure. This painting as well as all new paintings in and outside the temple were made by [[Lama]] Paljaor himself, who is a master of traditional [[Thangka]] painting. |
| − | The | + | The [[Monastery]] has a number of very old [[Books]] and commentaries. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist monasteries in Himachal Pradesh]] | [[Category:Buddhist monasteries in Himachal Pradesh]] | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Drukpa Kagyu monasteries]] | |
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries]] | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Monasteries]] | + | [[Category:Buddhist Monasteries]] |
| + | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:52, 30 September 2013
Kardang Monastery or Gompa is a famous Drukpa Lineage Monastery, and is the most important Monastery the Lahaul valley, India. The associated village of Kardang was once the capital of Lahaul.
The Monastery is a huge white building bedecked with Prayer flags. It is situated on a ridge below the 15,000 foot (4,572 metres) Rangcha peak, at an altitude of 3,500m on the left bank of the Bhaga River, facing the town of Keylong, about 8 km away. Kardang is well connected by the road via the Tandi bridge which is about 14 km from Keylong. The Monastery was featured on the November 7, 2010 episode of the History Channel TV series IRT Deadliest Roads, where trucker Rick Yemm delivered a large golden Buddha statue to the Monastery and was greeted by the Monastery's head, Lama Paljoa.
History
The Monastery is believed to have been built in the 12th century and houses a large library of Buddhist literature, including the Kangyur and Tangyur scriptures in the Bhotia or Sherpa Language. There is also a good collection of fine thankas, musical instruments such as lutes, drums, horns, as well as old Weapons. There are colourful frescoes and fascinating murals.
The Monastery was in ruins until it was renovated in 1912 CE by Lama Norbu Rinpoche (died 1952), who, with Lama Kunga, turned it into "a proper educational and training establishment."
In the first room is a 4 foot (1.23 metres) high silver Chaitya or Chorten preserving the skull and ashes of Lama Norbu. To the Right of it is are Statues of Padmasambhava and Tara (Devi), and in the back, one of Tagden Shakyashree, Guru of Lama Kunga. 103 volumes of the Kangyur are kept here, while behind are 64 Tantra Books on various subjects. The second room is the main Prayer Hall with an eleven-headed statue of Avalokitesvara. On a high pedestal at the Right are some of Lama Norbu's castoff garments and with a skull in front. In the third room is a six foot wooden Prayer Wheel with a brass Bell on it. There are now about thirty Monks and Nuns (chomos) in the Monastery, and two British Nuns have studied, meditated, and been initiated in recent years.
The Monks and Nuns have equal rights, and the Monks have permission to marry. The Monks spend the summer with their families working their fields, in the winter they return to the Monastery. There is a huge Prayer drum in the Monastery with the sacred six-syllable Mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, written a million Times on strips of paper. It also has a Narbo as its head Lama.
Because the Monastery is on the southern bank of the Bhaga River, it gets very little sun, while Keylong on the opposite side gets far more as it is facing south. Because of this the Moravian Christian Mission, which was established here in 1857, was later moved across the River to Keylong.
Modern story by Monastery head Lama Paljor Larje
The old Monastery temple was fully destroyed by Rain at 1998. The new temple was rebuilt at 1999-2009 by present Monastery head Lama Paljor. The previous Monastery head - Lama Apo rinponche came from Tibet about 1959. He became Monastery head in 1970. Lama Paljor larje was his Disciple since he was 13 years old. Khantse rimponche lead the Monastery when Apo rimponche died in 1981. Lama Paljor Larje lead the Monastery from 1999 onward.
The new temple has two floors. Each floors have one room.
The ground floor is place for laymen. It has a number of very old Statues and paintings. When a laymen enters to temple he sees three main Statues on the front: Buddha Shakjamuni statue on the middle, Buddha Vajradhara on the left and Buddha Padmasambhava on the Right. On the Right side of the main the laymen may see the Statues including the following:
- Buddha Amitabha
- Tara
- Maha sidha (Siddha) Shakya Shri
- Marpa - great Buddhist text translator
- Yogin Malarepa
- Gampopa
- Lama Norbu Rinpoche - both statue and Stupa with his relic
There are some of Statues on the Right side:
- Buddha Avalokiteshvara
- Heruka Deity
- Vajrayogini
- Maha sidha (Siddha) Shakya Shri
- Yunjin Rinpoche
- Kunga Rinpoche - both statue and Stupa
- Apo Rinpoche - Stupa, previous Monastery head
Painting The temple has a number of old cloth paintings: Tibtain tradition painting, Kalachakra Deity painting, Buddha Jataka, Melorepa stories and so on. Molarepa story is estimated as 400 years painting.
The ground floor ceiling has a number of tradition painting compositions. The Guru-yoga Mandala on the Right and Chakrasambara Mandala on the left surround The Buddha Akshobhya figure. This painting as well as all new paintings in and outside the temple were made by Lama Paljaor himself, who is a master of traditional Thangka painting.
The Monastery has a number of very old Books and commentaries.
