Founded by the 1st Dalai Lama Gyalwa Gendun Drup in 1447, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is located at the foot of Dolmari (also known as Tara’s Mountain), Shigatse. One of the six big monasteries of the Gelugpa lineage, it covers almost 300,000 square meters (3,229,279 sq. ft.). Since the 4th Panchen Lama took over as the head of the monastery, Tashi Lhunpo has been the seat of all Panchen Lamas up until this day.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Tibet
The famous Maitreya Buddha statue at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery which is a major pilgrimage site known throughout Tibet, Mongolia, China and Russia
Senior monks perform special Dorje Shugden pujas, rites and rituals on a daily basis
The Panchen Lama is the second most important lama in the Gelug lineage after His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Known to be the emanation of Amitabha Buddha, the Panchen Lama is a contemporary of the Dalai Lama and is spiritually on par with His Holiness. The 4th Panchen Lama and his successors have been expanding this monastery progressively over the years. The main structures of Tashi Lhunpo are the Maitreya Chapel, the Panchen Lama’s Palace and the Kelsang Temple.
Also within the sprawling monastery grounds is a chapel dedicated to Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden where senior monks perform special Dorje Shugden pujas, rites and rituals on a daily basis. It is a well-known fact that many people visit this chapel in times of need and there are daily requests for Dorje Shugden prayers by the laypeople.
Pictures of Dorje Shugden and Entourage at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Dharmapala Dorje Shugden
Gyenze or Ratna Shugden
Trakze or Karma Shugden
Karche Marpo, the main ‘minister’ of Dharmapala Dorje Shudgen
Some of the Eight Guiding Monks
Some of the Nine Mothers
Some of the 10 Youthful and Wrathful Assistants
Thangka of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden
Another thangka of Dharmapala Dorje Shugden
A traditional mask of Dorje Shugden
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Fong
Posted on July 8, 2016 #1 AuthorThank you for the photos of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. It somehow has managed to capture the essence of the monastery.
Tashi Lhunpo is more than the seat of the Panchen Lamas. It was the first place that Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen went to upon entering bardo. Unfortunately the time was not right for him to take his seat at Tashi Lhunpo and he instead went to the Sakyas. Goes to show he was close to both the Sakya and Gelug! But, that has now been rectified and there is a Dorje Shugden chapel within the grounds of Tashi Lhunpo monastery.
It is always good for us to be able to have a mental visual of important monasteries even if we are unable to visit them.
Wah Ying
Posted on July 23, 2016 #2 AuthorTashi Lunpo Monastery is beautiful from the aspect of its large statue of Maitreya Buddha, Dorje Shugden and His entourage. A well as beautiful from the aspect of continue the Gelug lineage.
As mentioned by this article, Panchen Lama is second most important lama in the Gelug lineage after His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is known to be the emanation of Amitabha Buddha, and a contemporary of the Dalai Lama and is spiritually on par with His Holiness. Tashi Lhunpo monastery has been the seat of all Panchen Lamas up until this day, not only that, the monastery is important to continue the Gelug lineage, including practising Dorje Shugden practice until today, where many people around the area come to seek assistance, to their worldly problems like financial, business, relationship, spirit disturbances and so for.
Thank you for sharing brief introduction about the monastery and the beautiful pictures as well.
Stella Cheang
Posted on August 20, 2016 #3 AuthorTashi Lhunpo Monastery was founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, it is of historic and culturally importance for Tibet. The 1st Dalai Lama was known as Gendun Drub and was the disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest ranking tulku lineage in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Tashi Lhunpo is located on a hill in the center of the Shigatse city, the 2nd largest city in Tibet. The full name in Tibetan of the monastery means “all fortune and happiness gathered here” or “heap of glory”.
Captain Samuel Turner, a British officer who visited the monastery in the late 18th century, described it beautifully : “If the magnificence of the place was to be increased by any external cause, none could more superbly have adorned its numerous gilded canopies and turrets than the sun rising in full splendour directly opposite. It presented a view wonderfully beautiful and brilliant; the effect was little short of magic, and it made an impression which no time will ever efface from my mind.”
Sofi
Posted on August 22, 2016 #4 AuthorWhat a beautiful sprawling monastery, so rich in history and decor. Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is the seat of all the Panchen Lamas since the 4th. This is the monastery that Protector Dorje Shugden went to after he arose as the Panchen Lama was his Guru. The Dorje Shugden chapel is magnificent with its murals, statues and thangkas. Thank you dorjeshgden.org for sharing this fascinating monastery.
Alice Tay
Posted on October 6, 2017 #5 AuthorTashi Lhunpo Monastery is founded by the 1st Dalai Lama Gyalwa Gendun Drup and later took over by the 4th Panchen Lama up until this day. The 4th Panchen Lama and his successors have been expanding this monastery progressively for the past 570 years.
What impressed me most was that the Buddha Images in the form of statue or mural are so stunning and rare especially the world’s largest statue of sitting Maitreya Buddha, the mural of 4-armed Chenrezig, Dorje Shugden and his entourage’s statues.
yin ping
Posted on November 10, 2017 #6 AuthorTashi Lhunpo Monastery was founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447. This monastery is seat to all the Panchen Lamas, started with the 4th Panchen Lama up until this day. Panchen Lama is the second most important spiritual leader in the Gelug lineage after His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery covers almost 300,000square meters. The main structure are Maitreya Chapel, the Panchen Lama’s Palace and the Kelsang Temple. There is a chapel dedicated to Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden too.Many people visits this chapel to seek blessings and protections. Every day, senior monks perform special Dorje Shugden pujas, rites and rituals.
It is amazing that an old historical monastery with such rich cultures, that is still well kept for centuries. The monastic community and worshipers have shown their faith, devotions, keeping their vows, upholding the pure Gelug lineage. The Gelug lineage and Dorje Shugden practise will continue to grow spreading to the ten directions benefiting sentient beings.