Chimphu Hermit and Caves are located near the Samye monastery in Lhokha Prefecture in Tibet. Initially, it was the meditation caves for the Guru Rinpoche in the eighth century. It is here where he rose death princess of Trisong Detsen and preach her Kangdro Nyingthik initiation.
Right now the Hermits are under the Chimphu Nunnery, which is located below the caves. To visit all these caves you will need to hike for about 3 hours from the main parking area.
It is best to stay overnight in Samye Monastery hotel for a night and go for the hiking as early in the morning to avoid the harsh sun of midday in Tibet.
History of Chimphu Hermit
During the construction of Samye Monastery, King Trisong Detsen request Guru Padmasambhava to open the mandala of Vajrayana teachings in these caves to his twenty-five disciples. Out twenty-five nine attained siddhis through practicing the sadhana he has transmitted. He drew the many stupas and spiritual art on the surface of a rock with is still visible today.
While he was meditating at the Chimphu cave, one day eight years old princess die unexpectedly. She was taken to the Guru Rinpoche. To console the king, He drew syllable NRI over the princess’ heart and brought her back to life. Through power, he transferred the blessing directly and gave her the whole cycle of Khandro Nyingtik. He also empowers her to reveal the same teaching in her future life; the instruction was then hidden for her next incarnation to show as terma. She was later reborn as Pema Lédrel Tsal, who withdrew the terma of Khandro Nyingtik.
Later many masters have come to Chimphu to mediate, and many achieve enlightenment from here.
Tourist Guide to Chimphu Hermit
It is best to stay a night at the Samye Monastery hotel and visit the Chimphu hermit with Tibetan pilgrims in early in the morning before the sunrise.
There is a small nunnery at the foot of Chimphu caves and hermit. Your hiking to the caves begun from the nunnery. It is encouraged to bring some supplies from Lhasa for the hermits; you can donate all the supplies at the nunnery from where it will be distributed to the retreatants.
Your tour guide will have explicit knowledge of every cave in the Chimphu cave. They will explain to you in clearly.
We have a very special tour plan call Tracing the footprint of Guru Rinpoche tour.
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