Nechung Monastery is located on the slope below the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa city. As you enter the check post at the main gate Nechung Monastery is located on the left-hand side on your way up. Only the red building is visible from the main road.
Nechung Monastery of a seat of one of the many oracles in Tibet. The oracle was consulted for the critical decision and seek protection for everyone. Nechung is not only the deity, but it is also the medium of the communication between the human realm and the realm of higher beings. The Monk is trained in the secret rituals that accompanied the trance of the Oracle. The monk in whom the spirit will possess is not the oracle as described in many books and website. It is the host, and it is called Kuten in Tibetan, which means the dependent body. The monk how the oracle will possess’s body is chosen at a very young age, and the healthiest and the cleanest novice will be selected to be the next host when he grows up. Medium monk is not the reincarnated but chosen. There are some rituals to make that monk a medium of Oracle.
Origin of Nechung Monastery
The origin of Nechung is related to Guru Padmasambhava. When Guru Padmasambhava founded The Samye monastery with his Vajrakilaya Dance, he tamed the god of local Bon religion called Pehar Gyalpo and bound it in the oath to become the Protector of Buddhism. The spirit is later known as Dorje Drakden.
Initially, the seat of the Oracle was in Samye monastery, it was later moved to Tsal-Gungthang at the eastern Lhasa and Later moved to the current location by fifth Dalai Lama. Ever since the seat of the oracle was not moved anywhere.
Tourist Guides to Nechung Monastery
As you go inside the main courtyard you will see a very big courtyard. As you enter the main temple there is a chapel on your left-hand side, this is the main chapel of the Nechung Oracle. On the altar, there is a piece of wood, which was a tree originally, around which the monastery was built. The tree is the Soul tree of the Pehar. And as you walk you can ask the monks to give you some bless grains. It is believed that those bless grains has a capability of protecting you in your journey and when you are nervous it helps you to be the clam.
There is another Temple on the eastern side of the Nechung monastery main courtyard. And there are some small villas behind the main structures. We would suggest you bring something to drink and eat and spent some nice summertime in the garden of the villa. One of the Villa belongs to 13th Dalai Lama. The nice architecture with lush green in this high altitude is worth spending some time in it. Our suggestion is to make the most out of what Tibet has to offer you. Take time in travelling.
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