Samye Monastery is located in Lhokha Prefecture of Tibet. It is 196 Kilometer from Lhasa. The monastery is the first Buddhist monastery founded in the 8th century. It is well known for its sacred Mandala Design with a central temple as the legendary Mount Meru. It is the most important pilgrim site in central Tibet with Ganden to Samye Trekking route are its traditional route from Lhasa.
History of Samye Monastery
Samye Monastery is the Tibet’s first Buddhist monastery in Tibetan History, constructed probably between 775 AD and 779. King Trisong Detsen, revered by Tibetan as a manifestation of Manjushri, ascended to the throne at the young age of 13. To establish Buddhist monasticism in Tibet formally, he invited Shantaraksita of Zhor with the assistance of Be Trizhi. King Songtsen Gampo and his queens have been constructing Buddhist geometric temples in Tibet some 130 Year. Due to hostile Bonpo aristocratic families, the formal Buddhist institution of Buddhism has not merged. So Trisong Detsen invited Guru Padmasambhava to subdue the hostile elemental force of Tibet and make them subservient of Buddhism. To transform the Negative power into Buddhist protector, he traversed the entire plateau. On the summit of Hepori hill, he crushed the local demons and consecrated the site for the construction of the Tibet’s first monastery. Here he introduces the highest tantras and their teaching to 16 fortunate disciples.
The architecture of the monastery is base on the architecture of Odantapuri in modern-day Bihar of India. The monastery where Santarakita belongs. The design represents the three-dimensional mandala of Buddhist cosmology. At the centre of the Tibetan Buddhist universe lies a mythical palace on top of Mt. Meru, which in Samye is symbolized by the main temple (Utse). Surrounding this is a great “ocean,” with 4 great island-continents, and 8 subcontinents.
From 8th to 10 century, the preceptors of the monastery were held in high esteem both socially and politically. Through the course of our history, the site has come under the influences of different school of Tibetan Buddhism. Therefore the site is now revered by all the primary schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
In the course of history, the monastery has been destroyed in many incidents, and the original structure is no longer intact.
Tourist Guide to Samye Monastery
Before doing to the Samye Monastery, you will have to go to Tsedang town to get the Aliens Travel permit ( One of many permits require in Tibet). It is better to stay in Samye Monastery then staying in Tsedang town for better food options. You will also have some free time to explore the garden in the inner wall.
If you would like to explore more about the Guru Rinpoche and Buddhist History in Tibet. There are other sites nearby like; Chimphu Hermit, Zong kumbum cave, Dar Yangzom Caves. Each of these caves and hermitage take a day for extended hiking. We would like to recommend to you our tracing the footprint of Guru Rinpoche tour.
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