Mindrolling Monastery located 121 km from Lhasa in Lhokha Prefecture in Tibet on the south side of Yarlung Tsangpo river. This is one of the six significant and Largest monasteries of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in central Tibet.
History of Mindrolling Monastery
The Mindrolling Monastery was found in 1670 by the Tredak Lingpa Gyurme Dorje on the site where Lume Tsultrim had to build Kadampa chapel of Tarpaling in the 11th century. After founding the monastery Tredak Lingpa become the throne holder of the monastery (Minling Trechen). His familial descendants held this position until the mid 19th century. During the 19th century, the throne fell to the descendants of his reincarnation.
The Mindrolling was heavily damaged in 1718 by the Dzungar Mongols for East Turkistan. It was later rebuilt during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama. The reconstruction was supervised by the son and daughter of Terdak Lingpa.
At this monastery, particular emphasis was placed on the learning of Buddhist scripture, astronomy, Tibetan Lunar calendar, calligraphy, rhetoric, and Tibetan Medicine. Monks study thirteen major sutras and Tantra text of Nyingma. They also learn the practices stemming from various terma from the lineage of Terdak Lingpa. For nearly 300 years its Nyingma monastic university trains scholars and yogis from all over Tibet. It has over one hundred satellites, and its throne holder was the most revered in Tibet.
Tourist Guide to Mindrolling Monastery
The Mindrolling Monastery is located under the jurisdiction of Lhokha Prefecture. You will need to have the Aliens permit to visit the monastery. Usually, the Aliens permit is issued in Tsedang, Shigatse, and Gyantse. But if you are planning to go to the Mindroling Monastery before going to Tsedang City, you will have to have it made in Lhasa. Please contact your Tibet travel agency to have it made.
Usually, for all the Tibet tours in Lhokha Prefecture, you will first visit the Tsedang city made the permit and visit another site, including the Samye monastery. So it is always better to have it made in Lhasa before your arrival.
A new high way from Ganden monastery to Tsedang will be open soon. In that case, you will first visit the Samye monastery and Tsedang city. In that case, you can go to Mindrolling Monastery on your way to Gyantse and Yamdrok lake.
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