©Thupstan Paldan 1997 All rights are reserved no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, exepts brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the written permission of the Copyright owner. Printed by:- Dorjee Tsering at Jayyed Press, Balimaran, Delhi. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE A BRIEF HISTORY OF LADAKH II MONASTERIES CASTLES PAGE 1-2 3-7 II. 12. 13. 14. IS. 16. 17. IS. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26 27. 28. 29. ALCHl CHOSKOR YUNGDRUNG MONASTERY WANLA MONASTERY L1KIR MONASTERY THE CASTLE OF TINGMOGANG THE CASTLE OF BASGO R1ZONG MONASTERY PHEYANG MONASTERY SPITUK MONASTERY THE CASTLE OF LEH AND THE TEMPLE OF NAMGYAL TSEMO THE CASTLE OF SHEY THIKSEY MONASTERY MATHO MONASTERY STAK.NA MONASTERY HEMiS MONASTERY CHIMDE MONASTERY TAKTHAK. MONASTERY THE CASTLE OF STOK SAMSTANLING MONASTERY D1SKIT MONASTERY KARCHA MONASTERY ZONGKUL MONASTERY BARDAN MONASTERY STONGDE MONASTERY THE CASTLE OF SANI PHUGTAL MONASTERY RANGDUM MONASTERY LINGSHED MONASTERY KORZOT MONASTERY 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-52 13.13 13-14 14-15 15-17 17-18 18-19 19-19 20-20 20-21 22-22 22-23 23-23 23-24 24-24 24-25 25-26 2fi-27 27-27 27-28 28-29 29-29 29-30 30-30 Ill THE PANTHEON PACE 1. BUDDHA SHAKYA MUNI 31-33 2. IMPORTANT PLACES OF THE BUDDIST 33-36] 3, FIVE DHYANI BUDDHA 36-371 4. VAJRA DHARA AND SIDDHAS 37-38 ; 5. VAJRASATTVA (DORJE SEMPA) 38-38 6. GUHYA SAMAJA 38-391 7. CHAKRA SAMVARA 39.39] 8. KALA CHAKRA 39-39J 9. VAJRA BHA1RAVA 39-40 10. LAMA CHHODPE TSHOGSH1NG 40-40 11. SARVAV1DH 40-40 12. AMITABHA 41-41 13. AMITAYUS 41-41 14. MAITERYA BUDDHA 41-41 IS. BHAISJYA GURU 42-421 15. EIGHT MEDICINE BUDDHAS 42-42] 17. AVALOKITESHVARA 43-43 18. SINGH AN ADA AVALOKITESHVARA 43-43 19. MANJUSRI 43~44; 20. VAJRA PANI 44-44 21. MAITREYA 44-44 22, CROWNED BUDDHA 44-44 23. SITATAPATRA 454| 24, TARA 45-45 25. SHAM A TARA 45-46 26. UNISA VUAYA 46-46 27. SI-VETA TARA (WHITE TARA) 46-46 2*. THE MAHA SIDDHAS 46-47 29 HAYACRIVA 47-47 30. CHITIPATI 48-48 31. NASTAN CHUTUK (16 ARHATS) 48-50 32. FOUR CORDINAL KINGS 50-50 50-55 55-59 70 e1 IV MANDALAS V DHARMAPALAS VI HISTORICAL FIGURES VII BUDDHAS SIGNS AND RITUAL OBJECTS Mil A Gl!IB* TO LADAKHI SPEAKING 182 AUTHOR'S PREFACE This brief account of the Buddhist monasteries and royal „«ties in Ladakh, together with a description of the body, «Lech and mind-supports which they contain has been written m accordance with the information provided in the royal and eligious histories. It concerns those buildings founded by successive kings here in Maryul-Ladakh surrounded as it.is bv high snow peaks resembling pillars of the sky and the mountain ranges of multi-coloured hues, starting from the time when Ladakh was ruled by Lha Chen Palgyigon, the eldest son of Skitde Nimagon, the king of Naris-skor-sum, who was himself descended from Nyakhri Tsanpo, the first king of Tibet the land of Snow Mountains. It is a matter of great sadness that although in ancient time during the period of Ladakh's independence thanks to all the holy personages (such as Lama Rinchen Zangpo the Translator) and the ancestral kings there were built as many bod.es, speech and mind-supports as there are constellations in the heavens later these suffered great damage during the invasions of the forces from Škardo, in Baltistan and of Zorawar. This gui« to the founding of those monaster.es and castles that still survive today has been written in the hope that it will be of benefit to the foreign tourists and to those persons who hke myself do not always have ready access to the extended accounts of the founding of monasteries and other such documents^ If there are any mistakes ,n this work they will be judged before the eyes of the wise. May whatever virtues that exist in U become the cause of benefit to all. I should like to thank my friends Sonam Wangdu, Basgo Tongspon for his undertaking and enthusiastic help with the proof reading and printing. Thupstan Paldan INTRODUCTION The Land and the People Ladakh is a mountainous area situated to the north of India and lying at altitudes of between about 10,000 and 20 000 feet above sea level. The country is surrounded by hieh peaks and snow mountains that resemble the pillars of the sky and by ranges of multi-coloured hues. These fine mountains are ornamented with monastenes, temples, cave« castles and stupas built by holy persons and ancestral dharmarajas of previous ages. Most of the population of Ladakh are farmers. In winter it snows a good deal and is cold, but in summer it is very hot and so vanous crops which include fruits and vegetables can ripen. Through the centre of Ladakh flows the great river of the Sengge Khabab (the Indus). To the east is the region of Stod, to the south Zanskar, to west Sham to the north Nubra and in the middle lies Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Within all these districts there are many andent monastenes, castles, temples, stupas and mani walls. As for the costumes of Ladakh, the men generally wear a hat called Uan-tob and a long robe (phyu-ba) tied together with a belt (skye-rags) wound over with a large silken sash (ar-ti-tsadar). Undertrousers (kang-nam) and boots (lbam) are also wom. In previous times people used to wear a hat called a pho-tib and also earrings, necklaces and bracelets but later they were no longer worn Women continue to wear a turquoise head-ornament called Perag or else the kantob hat_ they wear the long women's robe called the gos-sul-ma and on their backs a cloak (bok) made either of goatskin (luk-pa) or of silk brocade (gos-chcn). Around their Ihmats they wear necklaces of coral and pearls in the centre of" which they hang a golden amulet box, if they have one. Pearl and gold earrings, conch shell bracelets and gold and silver rings are also worn. Undertrousers and a special kind of boot lham thig-ma-can or these with a high collar rgya-zo. The staple diet of Ladakh consists of meat, butter, milk curds, roasted barley flour, wheat flour, tea arid beer. In recent times rice has been brought up from India and much enjoyed. The domestic animals reared by the people of Ladakh are cows, bulls, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, yaks and hybrid yaks, dogs, cats, cocks and hens, all of which are of great use to the fanners. The first inhabitants of Ladakh were descended from the Mongolians. Buddhism was introduced from Tibet and all the Buddhist schools of the Mahayana that flourished in Tibet, including the Nyingma, the Kargyud, the Saskya and the Gelugs, are to be found in Ladakh. The people are by nature honest, humble, loving and compassionate. Although people follow various religious systems, good relations exist between all of them. The name of Ladakh is derived frpm there being many mountain passes (la) in the county. Although minor differences exist between the dialects of each district, they are ultimately the same and so are mutually and easily understood. The people are all given to enjoying themselves in song and dance. They arc of religious disposition and of a nature that seeks to be of service to others. : A Brief History of Ladakh In ancient limes before the age of recorded history the area of Tibet and Ladakh formed a great island in a lake surrounded by snow mountains and limitless forest, an area over which no people had taken control. Once human beings had gradually come there, they built habitations, planted the land, produced crops and rear cattle. Villages and communities were established by stales in places where the land and the water were good. Guided and ted by those who had the greatest power, the people lived in a state of dispersal. In the year 127 B.C. there arose Nakhri Tsanpo, the first king to gain control over the whole of Tibet. Then at the time of the famous "Three Ancestral Dharmarajas" of Tibet the religion of the Lord Buddha came to flourish greatly in Ladakh as well. After king Langdarma there was no longer any great king who rules over the whole of Tibet. The Tibetan realm became fragmented and so an increasing decline set in. At "lat time Ladakh, too, existed in a fragmented state with a few powerful so-called Gyalpos acting as chiefs. In the year 900 A.D. The descendant of the Tibetan kings by the name of Skitde Nimagon came to Purang in the province of Stod Naris, it not being desirable for him to continue residing in Centra! Tibet. He was installed as the king of Naris-skor-sum. He had three sons whom he disposed in different parts of Naris. The eldest, Palgyigon, gained Ladakh and so in 930 he won authority over Maryul -Ladakh. He was the first of the kings of Ladakh and the area which he controlled stretched from Rudog in the east, to Lartsa in Kashmir in the west and to Ser-kha-gog-po in the north. His dominion prospered and increased. His two sons were; Grogon and Choißcm. Cliosgon's son was Lhachcn Gyalpo who ruled I'rom 1050 to 1080 and who built the monastery oľ Likir. His son, Lachen Itpala. subjugated Nyungti and Mon. His son, Lhachcn Naglug, ruled from 1110 to ! 140 and built castles at Wanla and Khalatsi in the district of Sham. His son was Lhachen Joldor. His son, Lhachcn Lhargyal, reigned from 1230 to 1260 and had the tantras, the Prajnaparamita and numerous other sacred texts written out in gold and also performed many religious works. His son was Lhachen Jobopal. His son was Lhachen Ngodup. This dharmaraja instituted the custom whereby Ladakhi monks went for their studies to the various monastic colleges in the province of Vus and Tsang in Tibet. There is a tradition that his son Prince Rinchen Gyalpo, sent to Kashmir, embraced the Muslim religion. His son, Lhachen Shcsrab, ruled from 1350 to 1380. He built the town of Singgegang at the place called Hang-rtse-ma in Sabu. His son was Khritsugdc. His sons were Gragspa Bum-Ide and Gragspa Bum. Gragspa Bum-Ide ruled over the area of Stod which included Ladakh, {its capital) Leh and so on. At Leh he built the image of Maitreya (Gyalwa Chamba Gonbo) to the height of three storeys inside the Red Temple. He also built the stupa of Ti'u-Tashi-Od-phro, The Spituk Monastery, too, he caused to flourish. His younger brother Gragspa Bum ruled over the Sham province and built there the castle of Tingmogang and the Maitreya image. The blessed image of Avaloki tes vara from Kamrup (i.e. Assam) was brought during his time. His son was Lhachen Bhara. His son Lhachen Bhagan, who is said to be the king who founded the Namgyal Dynasty. His two sons received the name of Namgyal, the elder one being called Lhawang Namgyal and the younger Tashi Namgyal. The younger, Tashi Namgyal, deceived his elder brother and after blinding 4 him he himself acted as king. Reigning from 1500 to 1532 he built at Leh the Namgyal Tscmo. the temple devoted to L ßuardian deities, the maitreya image and the village of Chubi His elder brother Lhawang Namgyal had three sons: Tsewang Namgyal, Gonbo and Jamyang Namgyal. Tse-wang Namgyal succeeded but died before long. His vounger brother Jamyang Namgyal ruled from 1560 to 15X). Chosie Danma from Digung was invited and Gang-sngon Monastery was founded, the teachings of the Digung being thus introduced. His son was Sengge Namgyal, a Icing who was physically very strong and most skilled in all the martial arts including archery and fighting with the sword and spear. He ruled from 1590 to 1620, and subjugated many of the petty rulers around his kingdom. Attending on the Mahasiddha Stagtsang Raschen as his foremost guru, he bu.lt the monasteries of Hemis, Chimde, Wanla, ™.p»land others. Furthermore, this dharmaraj bu.lt the castle of Palkhar in [.eh and constructed innumerable shnnes out of gold and silver: As a funerary memorial to his father he bu.lt the copper-gilt Martial image of Basgo. H.s son, Deldan Namgyal ruled the state according to the tenets of religion from 1720 to 1645, He subjugated the various T.betan communities (within Ladakh) For his father's funerary memorial he built the great Buddha image at Shey and for his mother's memorial he built a long mam wall at****** rongo five hundred paces in length, with a Stupa of Victory at it' head and a Stupa of Enlightenment at its end. His son, Deleks Namgyal, ruled from 1645 to 1680^In 670 the army of the Mongolian Galdan Tsewang invaded Ladakh Later Mipham Wangpo of the Dukpa School came to mediate a settlement. He drew up a treaty which provided for government trade entering Ladakh from Tibet and fo an annual Ladakhi embassy to go to Tibet. Deleks Namgyaľs sons was Nima Namgyal who ruled from 1680 to 1720 and who built the long mani wall at Dzanang and many shrines. He administered other royal law not simply on the basis of whatever came to his mind but rather in compliance with the advice of elders of good counsel. His son was Deskyong Namgyal. His son was Tsewang Namgyal. His son, Tsetan Namgyal, ruled for a short period from 1780 to 1790. For his father's funerary memorial he built a long mani wall at the bottom of the cliff at Kyigu. Although this king was skilled in state craft, brave against his enemies and most loving to his subjects, on account of the low fortunes of his people he died of smallpox at the age of 28. His younger brother Tsespal Tondup Namgyal, foresook his monastic vows and succeeded to the thome. It was during his time that Moocraft and Trebeck arrived in Leh by way of Nyungti and Garehwa. It was a the first time Europeaons had come to Ladakh. In about the year 1800 this king built a new palace at Stok. He also built the "New Castle" (Skukhar Soma) and many shrines above the Temple of Avalokitesvara in Leh. His son, Tsewang Rabtan was the reincarnation of Bhil-ba Dorje the Tulku of Hemis. He was installed king in 1830. Before long, in 1834, the forces of Zorawar Singh invaded and the state was lost to an external power. The king was dethroned and forced to reside in the palace at Stok. Thereafter, Zorawar installed the minister of Leh, Ngodup Stanzin as regent. After six years king Tsespal Tondup Namgyal, father of the dethroned king, was once again appointed to the throne. His son, Tsewang Rabtan, died in 1835 in Spiti. The father died later of smallpox in Balti, where he had gone to wage war. Once the whole of Ladakh and Balti had been subjugated, Jigmed Choskyong Singge Migyur Namgyal, son of Tsewang Rabtan, was installed as king. An annual tax of 18 000 rupees was instituted. If Ibis was not forthcoming, the king of Ladakh himself had to make up the deficit. This king ruled from 1856 to 1873. Zorawar Singh invaded Tibet and died while fighting the Tibetan troops near To-yo in Purang on the 12th day of the í lth month in 1841, Ladakh, however, lost its independence under the Sing (=the Dogras). In 1860 prince Sonam Namgyal had been born and in 1875 he was enthroned. Since Ladakh was not an independent country it did not possess the power of such a country. His son, Dadul Namgyal, was bom in 1896. At that time India had come under the authority of the British and so Ladakh too remained under the British. In 1926 prince Kunzang Namgyal was bom. Thereafter in 1947 India gained independence and from that time onwards Ladakh was made part of the State of Jaramu and Kashmir and has remained as such till the present. In 1974 king Kunzang Namgyal died. At present Queen Diskit Wangmo, the Princesses, Jigmed Wangmo and Rinchen Wangmo and the Princes Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal and Skarma Konchok Namgyal are all living happlily and residing at the palace of Stok. MONASTERIES & CASTLES Alichi Choskor Although there are a great many temples, caves and stupas built in Ladakh by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, Alchi Choskor is the largest and most famous of all of them. Alchi is situated at a distance of 69 kilometres west of Leh, south of the village of Saspola on the opposite side of the Sengge Tsangspo (Indus). Alchi Choskar was constructed by Rinchen 7 Zangpo, lbe Translator, approximately 990 years ago. The sacred temples to be seen there include the principal one of Rinchen Lhakhang, the Losta Lhakhang (Translator's Temple), the Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri Temple) and the so-called Sumtsag Lhakhang {Three-tiered Temple). The main image is that of Vairocana but there can also been seen the Five Buddha Families together with their attendant deities, the beautiful and various forms of the buddhas and bodhisattvas moulded in clay, carved in wood and painted on the wails. The paintings are not like the Tibetan style but rather they are executed according to the Indian tradition, tn order to build these temples Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator is said in the various biographies to have brought with him from Kashmir thirty-two sculptors and woodcarvers. There tire, furthermore, many temples and stupas there which have gone to ruin. The translator's own staff which he himself planted there is now a huge willow tree. It is reckoned to be the oldest willow in Ladakh. Other temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator, are to be found at Mangyu, Sumda, each containing a sacred image of Vairocana, various most beautiful images of the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas and many kinds of lovely paintings. They are also included among the 108 temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator, within the province of Naris-skor-sum. Yungdrung Monastery - J Yungdrung Monastery is situated 126 kilometres west of Leh. In ancient times there was a great lake in this place. The Arhat Nyimagung made a prophesy saying: "May a monastery be founded in this place" and he then offered a votive water offering (chu-gtor) to all the naga serpent spirits who were the guardians ofthat place. The grains of corn that f mied part of this offering were carried by the waves of Jfferent places along the cliff side by the edge of the lake d when they had become mixed with the earth they sprouted Mh as com in the shape of a swastika. At the time when a monastery was later founded there it was called Yungdrung ^"swastika"). In the 11th century the mahasiddha Naropa \me to this place and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen today. Then Rinthen Zangpo, the Translator came and built many temples and stupas and so the teachings of the Kadampa School came to flourish ereatly there. Thereafter, for many years the monastery was administered by the Zhwa-mar-pa (Red Hats), after which the dharmaraja Jamyang Namgyal offered it to Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh. The rituals and observances of the Digung Kargyud School were introduced and the monastery received the name of Yungdruiig Tharpaling. There are about 200 monks residing there today. The successive reincarnations of Skyabsje Toldan Rinpoche act as the incumbents of the monastery. There is a custom whereby each year on the 17 and 18th of the 5th Tibetan month the festival of the so called "Yungdrung Kabgyad" is held during which sacred dances are performed and the ritual of hurling a votive offering is observed. At this time many people from the districts of Sham and Stod assemble there to witness the festival. In this monastery there are various shrines to be seen, including thangkas and wall-paintings. Wanla Monastery Wanla is situated close by Yungdrung to the south-east. This old monastery was built approximately 990 years ago during the time of Lama Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator. 9 The famous image of the 11-headed Mahakaruiuj (Avalkitesvara), built to a height of more than two storeys' is to be seen there. On the wall-paintings there are depicted the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, the mandalas and so forth. Furthermore, there is also a sacred image of Joboje Paldan Atisha. Since it is most blessed monastery a tradition exists whereby many people from the districts of Sham, Stod and other parts of Ladakh go there on pilgrimage in order ffl perform prostrations, make offereings, supplications and aspirations. Likir Monastery Likir iies at a distance of 52 kilometeres west of Leh, During the life time of Lhachcn Gyalpo, the fifth king 5 Ladakh, a religious estate and the land on which to build the monastery was offered to Lama Duwang Chosje, a gn champion of meditation. The Lama blessed the. site and 1065 the monastery was built and community introduced, Material necessities were provided without fail for the support of at the most five hundred monks and at the least one hundred monks while they meditated at the three lakes M Kangri (=Kailash). The site of the monastery was encircled by the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the naga-rajaS Nanda and Taksako and so its name became widely renowned as Likir ("The Naga-Encircleď) GaldaB Targyasling. In the 15th century the disciple of Khasdubje known , Lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish-Trie monastery was brought into the order of the great Lanö Tsongkhapa and up till present times the rituals and observances of the three basic Pratimoksa disciplines, whit» to Ibrm the basis of the Buddhist teachings, are preserved. There °e many blessed shrines in this monastery and there resides ar protective deity wearing golden armour and of stern Unmand. Every year from the 27th to the 29th of the 12th month the votive offerings known as Gustor are assembled and sacred dances which are both profound and extensive arc performed. Approximately one hundred monks are in residence in the monastery. The successive reincarnations of Naris Rinpoche act as the incumbents of the monastery. The Castle of Tingmogang Tingmogan lies at a distance of about 92 kilometres west of the capital at Leh. This castle was built at the time when Gragspa Bum, younger brother of Gragspa Bum-lde, the 17th king of the Ladakhi dynasty, was ruling over Sham in accordance with religious tenets. About 530 years have elapsed since its construction, contemporary to this was the Red Chapel Tsuglagkhang Marpo containing an image of the Buddha Maitreya to the height of three storeys. In particular it was at that time that the self-originated image of Avalokitesvara from Kamrup was brought and installed inside the castle of Tingmogang. The image is considered to be a most excellent object of pilgrimage which leads to the accumulation of great merit and to which prostrations and oblations have been offered by the successive dharmarajas of Ladakh and by the whole populations of Ladakh, both lay and monastic, male and female. There is a custom whereby the people of all districts throughout Ladakh go to see it, from Sham, Stod, Nubra and Zanskar. Moreover, on the 15th day °f the Vishakha month, which celebrates the three most important events in the life of the Lord Buddha and which a'so happens to be the occasion on which this exalted image was brought to the castle of Tingmogang, the men al women of the area come on pilgrimage to this image wearing new clothes and jewellery and bearing the requisites ft» oTfercings including butter for the butter-lamps, incense arfjj flowers. On seeing the image they make their aspiration« They then dance and sing songs. The custom continues tods* unimpaired. The Castle of Basgo Basgo lies at a distance of 42 kilometres west of Leh, The castle known as Basgo Rabtan Lhartsekhar is situat« there on a hill of clay. It was built by the dharmarajas Jamyang Namgyal and Singge Namgyal, father and son. Th£ principle image there is that of the so-called "Goldeft Maitreya", a sacred copper-gilt image of the Buddha Maitreya, two storeys in height. It was built by thf dharmaraja Singge Namgyal as a funerary to his father, King Jamyang Namgyal. There is also an image of the Buddha Maitreya made of clay, three storeys in height which can be seen at the top of the castle. There are many most beautirtfl paintings tobe seen in great variety on the walls of ths temple. Although there are preserved there many canonicá scriptures and commentaries written out in gold and silver they are now incomplete because of their having bees dispersed. The name Basgo ('Bull-Head') originates from the presence of a large boulder there shaped like a bull's head. H can be seen today in a mani wall by the side of the motci road. The ruins of a temple and a stupa built by Rinche^ Zangpo. the Translator can also be seen. !2 Kizong Monastery The monastery of Rizong known as Vuma Changchubling was built about 135 years ago by the great [ ama Tsultim Nima. The monastery upholds the teachings 0f the great Tsongkhapa. Since the monastic community places particular importance to the observance of the Vinaya precepts the traditions of the coercive rites which include sacred dances and hurling votive offerings are not especially observed. Dress and food provisions are provided for all members of the community by the governing body of the monastery. Nothing other than religious robes and books is permitted for the inmates of each cell. There are forty monks in residence. The incumbents of the monastery are the successive reincarnations of Lama Tsultim Nima and of his son Sras Rinpoche. Within the monastery there are shrines, the'printing blocks of the biography of Lama Tsultim Nima, many objects made and books composed by the first Sras Rinpoche. The monastery is sited in a most solitary pos>t10n. Two kilometres below it there is a nunnery called Chuiichan where about twenty nuns reside. Their food provisions and clothes are provided by the governing body of Rizong Monastery. The work of spinning wool, milking, extracting oil for the temple lamps and so forth has to be performed by all the nuns. Pheyang Monastery Pheyang is situated 17 kilometres west of Leh. The site for the monastery there formed part of one of the many monastic estates offered to Chosje Dauma Kunga from Digung during the time of dharmaraja Jamyang Namgyal, who had invited the former to Ladakh. A monastery called Tashi Choszang was founded there on the blue hill of Pheyang and a monastic community introduced. It marked the first establishment of the Digung teachings in Ladakh, teachings whose traditions began with Skyoba Jigten Gonbo. At present there are seventy monks in residence. Within the monastery there are sacred shrines and various wall-paintings are to be seen which date from the royal period. The protective deity of the monastery is Apchi Choski Dolma. Every year from the 2nd to the 3rd of the 6th month the sacred dances and the hurling of votive offering associated with the festival of "Gang-sngon Tsedub1' are held. Many people from all over Ladakh observe the custom of participating in this festival. The monastery was founded 446 years ago (reckoning from 1977). The successive reincarnations of Skyabje Toldan Rinpoche act as the incumbents of the monastery. S pitu k Monastery The monastery of Spituk lies on the side of a mountain sSven kilometres from Leh. The site of Spituk was blessed by* the Arhat Nyimagung. A temple was built there in the t lth century by 'Od-de' the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od, when he came to Maryul. He introduced a monastic community. When Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator came to that place he said that an exemplary religious community would arise there and so the monastery was called Spituk ('Exemplary'). That time it belonged to the Kadampa School. Then during the lifetime of Dharmaraja Gragspa Bum-Ide the monastery was restored by Lama Lhawaog Lodos and the stainless order of Tsongkhapa was introduced and its has remained intact as such up till the present. There are many most excellent sacred shrines to be seen inside the 14 monastery. The principal statue is that of the Lord Buddha. Within this statue there is a sacred image of Amitayus, about the fingerlength in height, presented to King Gragspa Bum-tde by the great Tsongkhapa. Every year from the 17th to the 19th days of the 11th month the sacred dances associated with the festival of the Gustor are held and at tr.is Urne a large crowd assembles in order to visit the monastery and see the dances. The monasteries of Sankar in Leh, Gurphug in Stok monastery there is preserved a bone said to be a relic of Arhat Nyimagung. The incumbents of all these monastenes are the successive reincarnations of Skyabsje Bakula Rinpoche. There are about 100 monks in the monastery of Spituk. The Castle of Leh and the Temple of Namgyal Tsemo Leh is the capital of Ladakh and there are many temples castles and stupas here which were built by the ancestral dharmarajas. Leh was first of all the capital of King Gragspa Bum-Ide who ruled over the area of Stod which included Leh from 1400 to 1430. It was he who built the "Red Chapel containing the statue of the Buddha Maitreya, three storeys in height with statue of Avalokrtesvara and Manjwn on either side, each one storey in height. As speech-supports he had the Sungbum Chenmo and many other sacred texts wntten out in gold and silver. As a mind-sueP°« h™' the stupa of Ti'u-Tashis Od-phro containing 108 temple inside. This he built on top of the so-called 'Yellow-Teu Demon" which had been harming the valley of Leh. The rum of the stupa can be seen to this day and is known to everyone as Tisuru. Thereafter, the temple of Namgyal Tsemo was built during the lifetime of king Tashi Namgyal who ruled from 15 1500 to 1532. The village of Chubi was founded by him. During the invasion of the Hor army many of the Hor died in battle and all their bodies were placed under an image of Mahakala over which a temple devoted to the guardian deities was built. Their evil spirits were crushed in order to repulse further attack from the border. The castte known as Lehchen Palkhar was built in 1600 by the dharmaraja Singge Namgyal. It has nine storyes. The histories say that its completion took three years. In the Leh valley there is also to be seen the monastery of Sankar which was founded by the first Skyabsje Bakula. It is a branch monastery of Spituk Monastery. In the town of Leh there is a yellow stupa called the "Mani Sermo" which was built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator. The temple of the Neser King is also to be seen. In the centre of Leh there is the "New Monastery" (Gonpa Soma), Otherwise called the Jokhang. It was built by the Buddhist Association of Ladakh in 1957. Inside, there is a sacred image of the Buddha Shakya Muni that was brought from Tibet. The proceedings of the Buddhist Association are held in this monastery. Close by the Radio Station in Leh there are two large mani walls. The one built in the centre of the open plain known as Rongo Thang was built as a memorial to Queen Skalzang Dolma by her son Deldan Namgyal in about the year 1635, it is five hundred paces in length and has many hundreds of thousands of mani inscriptions carved in stone in Lantsa and Tibetan characters. At its head and end there are the Stupas of Enlightenment and of Victory which contain relics. The long mani wall further down from this one was built by Tsetan Namgyal in 1785 and intended as a memorial to his father, King Tsewang Namgyal. It is 350 paces in length. i c The festival of Dosmoche in Leh takes place every year in the 12th month. The monks of different monasteries are invited by turn to perform the ceremonies which ensure health and prosperity. The monks of Takthak Monastery come and erect a large thread-cross model(Dosmoche) after which the festival is named. Sacred dances are performed in the large dance courtyard of the "New Monastery" below the castle on the 28th day of the 12th month. On the 29th the monks leave from the centre of the town wearing dance masks and playing on drums, cymbals, homs and shawms. On an open field they then cast the votive offering. At the same time and place the great thread-cross model is overturned. On this occasion all the major and minor officers of Ladakh make their ways there in procession and many people assemble for the ritual. The Castle of Shey Shey is situated at a distance of some 16 kilometres from Leh. An old fort and temple are to be seen there. Shey was the castle of the first king of Ladakh, Lachen Palgyigon and of successive dhamarajas. In the royal period when a prince was born there was a custom whereby one had to go to the Shey Castle by whatever means. Inside the castle there is a sacred copper-gilt statue of Lord Buddha, three storyes in height. It is renowned as being the only one cf its kind, there not being any like it even in Tibet It was made in about the year 1633 by Deldaa Namgyal as a funerary memorial to his father, King Singge Namgyal. Furthermore there is another image of the Lord Buddha, also three storeys in height, to be seen at Dresthang in Shey. This one was made during the time of dharmaraja Singge Namgyal. In that place there can also be seen stone carvings of various images and some sacred stupas. On the 30th day of the 1st Tibetan month v many of the faithful from different districts come for the ] festival of the "Shey Srubla". Bearing their offerings they pay their respects to the great image of Lord Buddha, prostrating before it and circumambulating it. On the 1 Oth day of 7th Tibetan month the festival of "Shey Srubla" is held during which there is a tradition according to which all the farmers offer the first fruits of their com harvest to the Triple Gem as an ausipicious token. Celebrations and dances are \ held. At this time a god called Dorje Chenmo also comes forth. Furthermore, there is a custom of making a royal horse, a snow lion, chariot & other props which are used in the song and dance. At this time many spectators assemble in order to pay their respects to the god. Thiksey Monastery Thiksey (or Khrig-se) is 19 kilometres from Leh and a holy monastery is situated on the top of a hill there. Jamgon Tsongkhapa once declared. "On the right bank of the River Sindh my teachings will come to flourish". According to this prophesy the Lord's own disciple, Shesrab Zangpo of Stod first built the temple of Stagmo Lhakhang at the top of the Thiksey valley but a monastic community was not established theTe. Then Sherab Zangpo's nephew called Paldan Sherab founded the great monastery of Thiksey together with the residence for Lama and it came to flourish. There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen there. Eighty monks are in residence. The successive reincarnations of the Skyabsje Khanpo Rinpoche act as incumbents of the monastery. Sacared dances are held at the time of the Gustor ritual which is performed every year from the 17th to the 19th day of the 9th month. At this time a god also appears. More than 530 years have elapsed since this monastery was founded. 1E Although there was a very large temple built in ancient times at Thiksey by Rinchen Zangpo. the Translator, now it is in ruins- What remains of the buildings and walls can he seen at the site of the temple which was called Lhakhang Nyerma and which was dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo. That the temple of Nyerma was very large and holy is testified to by the biography of Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator himself. Matho Monastery Maiho is situated at a distance of 26 kilometres southeast of Leh on the opposite bank of the River Sengge Tsangspo (=lndus). There is a monastery there which belongs to the Saskya Order. It was founded about five hundred years ago by a Lama Dungpa Dorje. Shrines and also a sacred temple dedicated to the guardian deities are to be seen (here. A festival called the "Matho Nagrang" takes place there every year on the 14th and 15th days of the 1st Tibetan month. All the monks perform sacred dances and two gods known as the Rongtsan make their appearance. The two monks who become possessed by these gods are required to stay in a strict retreat for two months prior to the festival. These two gods are considered throughout Ladakh to be the most reliable and holy and so their oracular statements are sought according to the individual wishes of the public. Advice on which ceremonies should be performed to be rid of human and cattle disease, famine and strife in the coming year is also requested. Many thousands of people from all over Ladakh assemble at this time to witness the "Nagrang" festival & the Rongtsan Gyalpo. About 60 monks are in residence in the monastery. There is no incamate-being who acts as incumbent. However, Loding Khan Rinpoche is at present performing the functions of an incumbent. i<> Slakiia Monastery The Stakna Monastery lies ut a distance of sonic 25 kilometres from Leh on the opposite bank of the Singge khababs River (=lndus). The monslery sile formed part of one of the many religious estates offered to the great scholar saint of Bhutan called Chosjc Jamyang Palkhar in about 1580 by the dharmaraja Jamyang Namgyal who had invite« him to Ladakh The king attended him as his foremost guru and this monastery was founded on the top o( a hill shaped like a tiger jumping up to the sky. The monastery was built on ther tiger's nose and so its name was given as Stakna (Tiger's Nose). The most important image in the monastery is that of the sacred Arya Avalokilcsvara from Kamrup (=Assam). There is no tradition of sacred dance in the monastery but there is a festival associated with the hurling of a votive offering. There are about thirty monks in residence. The successive reincarnation of the Stakna Tulku aci as the incumbents of the monastery and they continue to fulfill the fine responsibility of upholding the teachings of the Dugpa Order. The branch monasteries attached to Stakna are those of Mud and Kharu and those of Stakrimo, Bardan and Sani in Zanskar. Hemis Monastery Hemis is situated 48 kilometres from the capital at Leh on the opposite side of the Singge Tsangpo River (=Indus). It is the largest and most famous of all monasteries in Ladakh and was founded about 350 years ago by Stagsang Raschen who was invited to Ladakh by king Singge Namgyal. He was a Lama who had travelled to India, Odiyana and Kashmir, and who had received a vision of all eighty mahasiddhas and who later realised the "rainbow body". The kina offered him religious estates throughout his dominions Ladakh, including Sham and Stod and attended on him ^ hlS principal guru. The Changchubling Monastery of Hemis was founded and a community introduced. During the lifetime of the Bodhisatlva Lama Mipam Tsewang the imttarion known as the "Thegmchog-dbang" of Hemis Gonpa and the festival of "Hemis Tsechu" were introduced. From lhat time on the offerings associated with the "Tsechu" festival have been assembled annually from the 9th to the I lth days of the 5th Tibetan month and the monks have performed the sacred dance devoted to the eight aspects of Guru Padmasambhava. Dunng the Tsechu held in the year of the Monkey it is possible to see the sacred applique-work tapestry wrought with pearls that depicts the Precious Teacher, Padmasambhava. Within the monastery there are to be seen a copper-g.lt statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and stiver, sacred thankas and many precicis objects. Five hundred monks reside in the monastery, The successive reincarnation of Lama Tagsang Raschen act as the incumbents of the monastery. Througout the various provinces of Ladakh including Sham, Stod, Nubra and Zanskar the festival of Hemis Tsechu is renowned and so many thousands assemble there for it. The branch monasteries of Hemis are Chimde and Wanla and there are other throughout Ladakh, including Sham and Stod. On the side of the mountain above the monastery there is a sacred hermitate founded by the great Gvalwa Kotsang where there can be seen his meditation cave, his foot-print and hand-print on the rock, and sacred shrines. The meditational lineage remains unimpaired and today there are still many mediatators there. One or two yogins who have achieved realisation have even come forth. This Kotsang is an old hermitage which was founded many years before the Hemis-Monastery. 21 Chimde Monastery Chimde is situated 40 kilometres east of Leh. The monastery is sited there on a mountain side and was founded 355 years ago by Lama Tagsang Reschen with the dhaimaraja Singge Namgyal acting as patron. Its full name is Chimde Thegchoggon. There is a sacred image of Padmasambhava to be seen there, one storey in height. There are, furthermore, many shrines. A custom exists whereby every year on the 28th and 29th days of the 9th month sacred dances are performed in association with the festival of an initiatory ritual. There are 300 monks in residence. The successive reincarnations of Lama Tagsang Raschen act as the incumbents. Takthak Monastery The monstery of Takthak is situated in the village of Sakti some 46 kilometres from Leh. Before the monastery was founded there was a meditation cave of a mahasiddha called Kunga Phuntsog there. After him, during the lifetime of the dhaimaraja Tsewang Namgyal, 31st, in the line of the royal dynasty, the vidhyadhara of the Ka-thog order called Tsewang Norbu came to Ladakh from Khams. Causing this monastery to flourish, he introduced the order of the Sangang Nima. Since the roof and walls of the monastery are all made or rock, it was given that name Takthak (Rock-Roof) Padmalinggon. Forty monks reside in the monastery. There is a custom of holding sacred dances and the ceremony of hurling a votive offering during the festival of an initiatory ritual on the 28th and 29th days of the 9th month. In previous times there was no incarnate Lama acting as incumbent of the monastery. At present the Taklung Tulku administeres 2: ■j AH the monks of the monastery become skilled in the -white" astrology (of India) and the "black" astrology (of China) There is also a sacred hermitage called Khaspang situated close to the villages of Sakti and Chimde. It is said t0 be the meditation place of the great Gyalwa Kotsang. There are still today a few people who practice meditation there. The Castle of Stok Stok lies 14 kilometres south of Leb on the opposite side of the Singge Tsangspo River. The castle was built on a hill at the end of the village in about the year 1825 by king Tsespal Tondup Namgyal. Not long after it was built Ladakh was lost to the Dogras. From then on the successive kings of Ladakh resided in this castle. Inside are preserved shrines, the crown, ceremonial dress and jewellery of the kings of Ladakh. In stok there is also the sacred monastery of Gurphug , a brach of Spituk Monastery. On the 9th and 10th days of the first Tibetan month the festival called the "Guru Tshechu" is held during which the monks of Spituk Monastery come to perform the sacred dances. At that time two gods make their appearance. In previous times the festival used to be held inside the castle but now-a-days it is held in Gurphug Monastery. The name Stok derives from there having previously existed in that place a stupa whose golden top ornament (tog) had the form of a relic box containing a seed grain the size of a pigeon and a turquoise the Size of a sheep's head. Samstanling Monastery The monastery of Samstanling is situated in a village called Sumur in the district of Nubra. It was founded by Lama Tsultim Nima. There are many sacred shrines. Fifty 23 monks reside in the monastery. Since ali she monks place particular emphasis on the observance of the Vinaya precepts they do not practice to any great extent the coercive rituals such as those of sacred dance and the hurling of votive offerings. Their dress and food provisions are provided by the governing body of the monastery. In accordance with the rules of the Vinaya they are not permitted to have anything more than their habits and books in their cells. The successive reincarnations of Lama Tsultim Nima and of Sras Rinpocbe act as the incumbents of the monastery. About 130 years have elapsed since it was founded. Disk i t Monastery Diskit Monastery is situated in the district of Nubra. It was founded in about the year 1420 by Shesrab Zangpo of Stod during the lifetime of the dharmaraja Gragspa. It is reckoned as one of the branches of Thikse Monastery. About a hundred monks reside there. The successive reincarnation of Skyabsje Khanpo Rinpoche act as the incumbents. There is a custom of holding sacred dances during the festival of Gustor which takes place every year on the 28th and 29th days of the 12th Tibetan month. There are all kinds of thangkas, wall-paintings and shrines. In the district of Nubra, furthermore, there are the monasteries of Kargya Rangjon, Ben sa, Kharnying and others. In ail these there are the tokens which accord with the information provided in works of history. Karen a Monastery Karcha is the largest of all monasteries in the district of Zanskar. Karcha Chamspa Ling, to give its full name, was first established by Phagspa Shesrab, the Translator of 24 kar The present monastery was built by the Teacher norr Shesrab who caused it to nourish. The order of rsonäkhapa was introduced there by Shesrab Zangpo of stod"~More than a hundred monks are in residence. There are Lines and, in particular, the wall-paintings executed by the Lama Dzadpa Dorje. The bone relics of Dorje Rinchen are L to be seen. Every year on the 28th and 29th days of the 6th Tibetan month the tradition of sacred dances is observed in association with the Gustor festival. In that place there are also two temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator known as the Thugsjechhenpoi Lhakhang and the Lhakhang Karpo. Close by the village of Karcha there are the monasteries of Khagsar, of Purang in the village of Langm., of Phagspa in the village of Nangbaphal and a nunnery called Dorjezong at the top of the valley. There are many sacred sites to be visited in all of these. Karcha (Pan-of-Whites') is also called Karsha and takes its name from two villages there : Phyikar (Outer White) and Nangkar (Inner White) Zongkul Monastery Zongkul (Ravine Foretress) is a sacred place of meditation, founded by the great mahasiddha Naropa, who when he was residing in his meditation cave (where his statt is still preserved) which is situated on the high and splendid rockface above the present monastery, he struck his ntual dageer into the rock as a sign that he would found the monastery. It came out of the rock overhang below, where the lower -fortress' is situated beneath the cave and it can be seen to this day. The mahasiddha went there and founded the monastery Both the lower and upper 'fortresses' are most blessed places where he resided for long penods in meditation. 25 Thereafter it became the sacred place of meditation lor all the mahasiddha of Zanskar, including Dubchen Runga Gyatso, Dubchen Nawang Tsering, Dzadpa Dorje, Karmapa, Kunga Choslag and Lama Norbu. Inside the monastery there are to be seen many kinds of sacred shnnes including the holy objects made by all those mahasiddhas mentioned above; such as: an ivory image of Samvara, a crystal stupa and the texts containing the spiritual songs and biographies composed by the successive mahasiddhas. Inside the meditation cave there is Panchen N'aropa's foot-print embedded in the rock and his sacred spring. Between twenty and thirty monks reside in the monastery at present. About 990 years have gone by since it was founded. Thousands of people observe the custom of going to visit the meditation cave in this solitary place every year. Bardan Monastery Bard an Monastery is situated at eight miles distance from the capital of Zanskar at Padum on top of a high cliff by the side of the Lungnak River. It was founded by the bodhisattva Deba Gyatso and about 400 years have elapsed since it was built. The principal image is a Gandhara statue of the Buddha Maitreya, two feet in height which is said to have spoken. It is explained that it came in ancient time from Kashmir. There are about fifty monks in residence at present. The successive reincarnations of the Stakna Tulku act as the incumbents. The monastery was previously situated on top of a mountain called Thar-Lha. A raven carried off from there a burning butter lamp and took it to the hilt shaped like a white conch shell with its coil turning to the right, the place where the present monastery is situated. There the raven left it in an upright position. Thinking that this was an auspice 26 lor [he founding of a monastery, the l.ama Barapa went ,here scatlcrcd consecrated grain and blessed the site The present monastery was founded by the bodhisattva Deba Gyatso. Since it was the seat (gdan-sa) of l.ama Barapa its name became Bardan. The ruins of a monastery and a stupa can still be seen on top of the mountain called Thar-Lha. Stongde Monastery Stongde Monastery is renowned as having been founded by Lama Marpa and its name is also Marpaling. Later, Shakya Zangpo of Stongde caused it to flourish. Lama Gyaltsanpa Ludub Palzangpo introduced there the order of Tsongkhapa.There are many kinds of most beautiful shnnes and wall-paintings to be seen there. About 60 monks are m residence and every year sacred dances are performed in conjunction with the festival of Gustor which takes place on the 28th and 29th days of the 11th Tibetan month. The successive reincarnations of Nari Tulku act as the incumbent. It seems about 950 years have gone by since the monastery was founded. The Castle of Sani Not only in Sani a particularly sacred place due to its having been visited and blessed by Padmasambhava of Oddiyana but it is also prophesied to be equal in importance to the cemetery of Dechendal in India. There can be seen there a cemetery ground with cemetery trees and cemetery springs and also a foot-print of Guru Nima Odzer. In the centre of the rockface on the opposite side of the river there can be seen a meditation cave and a foot-print. It is said that the Guru stayed there practising meditation for many years. In Sani is also the great stupa of Kanishka and the sacred image L^ oľ Naropa which can be seen on the day oľ the pilgrimage! to Sani which occurs in llie ňlh Tibetan month. At lhal lime ■ many oľ the faithful assemble ihere bearing offerings and i wearing new clothes and jewellery, having come from all parts of Zanskar including its upper and lower regions and i Lungnak and also from Karja, Paldar and other places. They pay their respects to ihc sacred image of Naropa and circumambulate it. There is also a custom of dancing and singing at this time. Within the castle there can be seen the j various and most beautiful wall-paintings which wer« executecd by Zadpa Dorje. It is clear from the Padma-thangyig that the stupa of Kanishka dates from a thousand years ago. Phugtal Monastery Phug-ta (also Phugtal) was founded in ancient times by f'hagspa Shesrab, the Translator of Zanskar. It was the Teacher Dorje Rinchen who caused it to flourish and the bodhi saliva Shesrab Zangpo who introduced there the order of the Ribo Gadenpa. It is about 530 years old. Since the monastery is built inside a huge cave its name Phugtal (Through-Cave) is said to derive from this. There are many sacred relics and shrines to be seen within. About sixty monks are in residence. Every year all the monks observe the custom of peiforming sacred dances in conjunction with the Gustor festival which takes place on the 18th and 19th days of the 12th Tibetan month. Close by lies the monastery of Mune called Diskitling which was founded by She bodhisattva ', Shesrab Zangpo. About 15 monks reside there and there are sacred shrines to be seen. Apart from these places, in the district of Zanskar there should also be seen the Guru images at Pipiting and Chamsling, and Stag Rimo Monastery and Phugtal Monastery kinds of mani walls and old castles. Rangdum Monastery Shadup Dzamlinggyan, the monastery of Rangdum, was founded about 250 years ago by Lobzang Gelegs Yeshes Gragspa Naristsang during the lifelime of the dhararaaraja Tsewang Namgyal. It is the foremost of seven branch monastery attached to Naristsang Monastery. There are sacred shrines and the mummified body of the monastery's founder Lama Gelegs yeshes Gragspa. The protective deity of stern command is Done Shugsdan and the local guardian spirit is the Stanma Dorje Yodonma. About 40 monks are in residence. The successive reincarnations of Naris Tulku act as the incumbents. There is also a sacred monastery close by the in the village of Lingshed. Lingshed Monastery This monastery is situated atop a hill of a locality known as Lingshed on the far side of Singge pass, about 3 days journey south of Yuru village. Originally, this monastery was established by the Translator, Rinchen Zangpo, Later Cbangsem Shesrab Zangpo, having expanded it, established the Gelukpa Order there. Among the image in tnis monastery the principal is the magnificient image of a tutelary deity, Berava, about one foot in height, which is said to have spoken. This image can only be viewed on once a year on the 15th day of the 4th month. Moreover, prior to the founding of the monastery, fire is said to have been seen burning up on a rock at that place arranged in the form of an auspicious sign. Therefore, the monastery was built upon that rock at the spot. A stupa was built upon that rock and given the name, Tashi Odbar, which can still be seen in the temple. 29 Besides this, there are many other shrines to be seen. TfejM successive reincarnation of Nari Rinpoche act as the incumbent of the monastery. Kontot Monastery The monastery of Korzot is situated near the TSOMO RIRI lake and it is about 208 kilometres away from Leh, The monastery is sitted on a hill and was founded by Lama Kunga Lodos Snyingbo about 135 years ago. The monastery was sponsored by the chief of the Rushot, Tsering Tashi Namgyal. There are many sacred statue and thankas to be seen inside the monastery. The main statue is that of the Lord Shakya Muni Buddha. In side the statue beside the other thinkgs, it kept sacred tooth and (Rinsel) relics of the Kasho Buddha. The successive reincarnations of the monatery is the Skaba-rje Langsna Tulku act as incumbents of the monastery. There are fifty monks in the monastery at Koezok ritual is the "GOMAN" sacred dance held every year from the 3rd and 4th days of the 6th month. Thukja Gonpa of Samad village is the only branch monatery of Korzot Gonpa. There are besides many other branch monasteries ird Ladakh such as those of Sharkhul and Chumur but since they are not considered to be among the most important 1 have not written about them here. THE PANTHEON The Tibetan pantheon having been derived from various sources is a very complex and amorphous collection. This confusing mass of innumerable deities and images have eluded 30 Padma-sambhava and staff. DAMCHAN and PEHAR are manifestation of great king. The oracle of Naschung also a form of the great king, who is called Dorje Tagsldan. Nezer NEZER is a great protector of Buddhism. Once he was guardian of Sri Lanka. With Bodhisattava DADPA rTANPO he promised to be a protector of Buddha's doctrine. Later the famous Indian, teacher Atisha appointed him a Buddhism defender and named NEZER JIVO. He wears loyal ornaments and dress. He seated on a white horse and holds a spear with flag in his right hand and a jewel in his left hand. He have the third eye of wisdom. HISTORICAL FIGURES Nagarjuna (Lhundub) Born as the son of Brahmin in South India, Nagarjuna became a great Mahayani Buddhist Scholar of Nalanda University. He was an expounder of Madhyamika School of Buddhist philosophy. Later he preached in South India. He is a very famous Buddhist philosopher. He was invited to Naglok. He brought Sher Chin-Bum, the collection of secret writing of Parjnaparmita. Padmasambhava Padmasambhava, the great master of Tantra, established the Ningma School of Tibetan Buddhism, which is also known as the school of Translation Period. Among the Tantnc w doctrines introduced by him, the highest one is called ik. Atiyoga or Dzogchen. He is shown with his right hand Karana Mudra holding a Vajra and the left hand in dhyaľ mudra holding a skull-cup with ambrosia. Khatavanga, ^ emblem of Prajná, invariably found resting on his' \tl shoulder. Naropa Naropa, a wood seller of vocation was attracted by the fame of Tillipa.After a difficult search he found his Guru Tilhpa. Tillipa, however, refused to teach him. Naropa nevertheless served him most faithfully for 12 years! Responding to man's unfailing devotion, Tillipa taught rum the doctrine propounded by Vajravarahi. He realised the state of Siddhi after six months of meditation. Emancipating many men, he entered Nirvana. Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo In the history of Naris-skor-siim {Western Tibet), the age of Rinchen Zangpo would ever be commemorated as a great cultural and religious importance. He was bom to a pious father Janu Chang Chub and mother Chograza in Quwang village of Kuge province of Western Tibet. Even in his early age, Rinchen Zangpo behaved unusually, kept away from his playmate, withdrew from all wordly interest and always remained thoughtful. In view of such unique disposition of their son, the parents entrusted him to a unique learned teacher Legspa Zangpo, who named the boy as Rinchen Zangpo and ordained as samnera. In no time, the young novice showed extraordinary skill in learning Buddhist texts which included the famous Sumgyapa and its commentary. Later, Ml Vikramashila, Shri Atisa had these word for Rinchen ZangPo when he visited Naris in the 11th century: "In the presence of scholar like Rinchen Zangpo in Tibet, my visit to this country does not make much difference. Rinchen Zangn0 died at the age of ninety eight. Atisa Acharya Dipangkara's father was king Kalyana Sri and his mother Sri Parbhavati. He was born in 982 A.D. at Sahor in Eastern India. When he was 12 years old Acharya Bodhibhadra initiated him into the life of sarmana (novice), made him wear saffron coloured clothes and called him Dipangkara Srijana. Dipangkara completed his studies at Vikramasiia and became a master of the three pitakas and Tantras. By virue of his extraordinary learning and ability, he became the chief among the 51 scholars and the leaders of 10S temples in Vihara. Dipahngkara travelled to Tibet when he was sixty and carried two baggages: a pagoda containing the relics of Buddha and a basket containing sacred texts. He founded the Kadampa Sect of Buddhism. He translated many books and wrote his famous work, The Bodhipatha-Pradipa. Domtonpa was his most devoted disciple. During the later part of his long stay of thirteen years in Tibet. Atisa spent three years in Naris four years in Middle Tibet and six years in Nethang. He passed away at Nethang, near Lhasa at the age of seventy three in the year 1054 A.D. Milaraspa Bom in the 11th century at Lo, Western Tibet, Milaraspa CÍ was one of the famous disciples of Marpa , the first [rfahamudra Guru of Tibet. He lost his father early in his childhood. As a result he and his mother suffered terribly at tj,e hands of his uncle and his wife. In order to punish them Milaraspa mastered the art of black magic. But he repented his cruel deeds when he saw the plight of his victims. Thereafter, he took to an austere life and by following the Mahamudra doctine at the feet of Guru Marpa, he attamded perfect liberation during his life time. He was also a great poet. Milaraspa's composition equals in simplicity and sublimity to the Sufi poetry. His famous poetry book is known as Gurbum. Tsongkhap Je Tsonghapa was born in 1357 in Tsongktaa country of Dosmad in Eastern Tibet. When he was barely three years old, his father Lubum-ge and mother Shingza Chog put him under the care of teacher Chosje Tondům Rinchen. The teacher ordained the boy as a samnera and gave him the name Lobzang Tagspa. Receiving his basic education and monastic training in his native land, he travelled to Vus Central Tibet for higher studies. Lobzang Tagspa soon came in contact with several noted scholars of different discipline in Central Tibet. He studied the paramita texts from the logician Kungpal, the abhidharma from Je Rendawa, the vinaya from Khanchen Losal and the madhyamica from JNarthans and Kaminpa and received mahamudra instructions from Gampopa. Thus Lobzang Tagspa perfected himself in all the branches of Buddhist knowledge. He was given the title, Gyalwa Nispa, the Second Buddha. Among hundreds of Tsongkaapa's disciples, Gyaltsabje, (>} Khasdupje and Gendundup were the most celebrated ones He founded the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat Sect or the Reformed Sect. He was also the founder of Gaidan monastery which remained as a Gelukpa centre of learning until the Chinese seizure of Tibet in 1959. In Central Tibet alone several monastic institutions like Despung, Sera, Tashi Lhunpo etc. came into existence due to his efforts. The Lhasa's Monlani (great prayer) was also instituted by Je Tsongkhapa in 1409 A.D. Among his volumes of works on various subjects, the Lamrim Chenmo is very popular and widely studied by both scholars and laymen. Je Tsongkhapa entered mahaparinirvana at the age of sixty three (in 1419 A.D.). AN INTRODUCTION TO THE EIGHT STUPAS Tashi Gamang or Padpung Chorten Changchub Chorten Chhoskor or Dutdul Chorten Chhosdul Chorten Lhabab Chorten It represents the Buddha's birth in the Lumbini grove. It represents Buddha's enlight-enment a Vajrasena in Bodh Gaya, Magadh. It represents Buddha's teaching of the Dharma to the five monks at Samath, Varanasi. It represents Buddha's exhibition of miracle powers at SVavasti. It represents Buddha's descent to the world of 64 Bodhi Stupa mar. after teaching the Dharma to his mother in Tushita heaven. Indoom Chorten ■ n represents Buddha's reuni-fication of (he Sangha after its dipersal by Deva Datta at Rajgiri. Namgyal Chorten ; u represents the prayťrs of Buddha's devotees for his long life at Vaishali Nyangdas Charten : It represents Buddha's entry into Mahaparinir-vana at Kushi-nagar. Stupa (Chhotren) Foundation of Stupa symbolizes the ten virtues. I- Not killing. 2. Not stealing. 3. Not indulging in sexual misconduct. 4. Not lying. 5. Not slandering. 6. Not using hard wards. 7. Not indulging in idle gossip. 8. Not being covetous 9. Not harming others. 10. Not holding wrong view. The four steps of stupa symbolize one by one four close contemplations. ■ 1. Close contemplations Body, feeling, mind and dharma 66 Four Perfect Abandonment: 1. Abandonment of non-virtues. 2. Non-generation of non-virtues. 3. Increase of virtues that have been produced. 4. Making effort in generating virtues that have yet been produced. Four legs of miracles: 1. That of aspiration, preservation, analysis & thought Five faculties: 1. Faculty of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom. Five Powers: 1. The power of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom. Pot of Stupa symbolizes seven limbs of enlightenment: 1. Mindfulness. 2. Wisdom. 3. Effort 4. Joy. 5. Suppleness 6. Concentration. 7. Equanimity. Tre, basis, symbolizes eight noble paths. 1. Right view 2. Right thought. 3 Right speech. 4. Right effort. 5. Right livelihood. 6 Right mindfulness. 67