The entrance to the main shrine room of Dungkar Monastery
Dungkar Monastery, located in the upper part of Yadong hillside about 13km away from Yadong County, Tibet was built in the early 16th Century by Drubpa Ulong Jongnay Rinpoche. The monastery is named after the white conch shell known as “dungkar” in Tibetan. At that time, Dungkar Monastery had a famous reputation for their traditional Tibetan medicines throughout the region.
Later, Dungkar Monastery was officially founded by the highly revered Lama His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche.
Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang
It was the first Gelug monastery of that area and quickly became the most influential after it was entrusted to Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche in 1901. Eventually, smaller monasteries also came under Dungkar Monastery’s administration within Tibet and across the border in India.
Dungkar Monastery and the other monasteries under Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s care were renowned for their strict monastic discipline, ardent study and especially for their traditional Cham dances. These monasteries became excellent repositories of Tibetan Buddhist culture after the fall of Tibet.
Dungkar Monastery was home to a Guru Rinpoche statue blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself, and Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche would perform annual special ceremonies to Guru Rinpoche.
The oracle of Dorje Shugden at Dungkar Monastery
Under the direction of Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche, Dungkar Monastery also became the seat of a famous and respected Dorje Shugden oracle who was consulted by people from all over Tibet. This oracle could take trance of six different deities including Dorje Shugden and his ministers Kache Marpo and Namkar Barzin. It was through this oracle that Lama Zopa Rinpoche was confirmed as a tulku.
The eminent Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche was a highly learned and erudite Lama who benefited countless people through his works. His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama praised him as Lama Tsongkhapa incarnate and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited Dungkar Monastery on several occasions. On one of these visits, the Dalai Lama composed the praise to Dorje Shugden called “Melody of the Unceasing Vajra” while at Dungkar Monastery.
H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama at Dungkar Monastery
After Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche entered clear light, Dungkar Monastery requested for his body to be embalmed and sealed in a large stupa. At the time, only the bodies of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas were preserved in this manner. However, due to the many benefits from his works, the request was granted by the Central Tibetan Government. The stupa containing Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s holy body was consecrated by His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Rinpoche, tutor to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Due to its reputation, Dungkar Monastery played an important role in Tibetan politics especially during the early 1950s. When the Chinese troops first entered Tibet in 1951, the Dalai Lama fled to Dungkar Monastery for refuge. Dungkar Monastery is also the site where the famous “17-Article Agreement” between the Chinese central government and the Dalai Lama was reached.
Dungkar Monastery (current)
In 2011, Dungkar Monastery’s main prayer hall, sacred thangkas, paintings, and monks’ residences were damaged in a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. In June 2014, with the support of the local government, 7.9 million yuan was allocated to repairing the monastery. After nearly a year, the restoration work was finally completed.
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Sofi
Posted on June 4, 2016 #1 AuthorWhat an interesting read on the history of Dungkar Monastery and its importance. They had a famous oracle who also takes trance in Dorje Shugden, Kache Marpo and Namkar Barzin and had many times helped the 14th Dalai Lama accurately. The Dalai Lama was so impressed and grateful that on one occasion he even wrote the praise to Dorje Shugden called “Melody of the Unceasing Vajra”. So how could the Dalai Lama now turn around to claim Dorje Shugden as a spirit and put a ban on his practice? Where is the gratitude? The emanation of Avalokitesvara could have been fooled all those years and suddenly found out he was wrong? The Dalai Lama being the 14th incarnate of the same mindstream, the enlighten mindstream that has control over his own rebirth, could be fooled?
The 13th Dalai Lama praised the eminent Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche as a incarnate of Lama Tsongkapa which shows how enlighten Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche was. As such wouldn’t he know if Dorje Shugden was an enlighten Protector or a spirit? Since his monastery houses the famous oracle who takes trances in Dorje Shugden and his entourage, as well as propitiating Dorje Shugden’s practice, I would say that proves Dorje Shugden to be enlighten and beneficial.
Tibet is now benefiting under the Chinese government as seen from the support in the rebuilding of Dungkar Monastery after damage from the massive earthquake. The new Dungkar Monastery looks beautiful in its traditional architecture. The Chinese government who in the past had very strict control on religious practice is now so much more accepting and readily accepts all religion that is peaceful. I personally think that the Tibetan-in-exile “refugees” should consider returning to Tibet and with an open mind, they will flourish better than under the corrupt rule of CTA.
Fong
Posted on July 9, 2016 #2 AuthorDungkar Monastery was founded by His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche. Such an illustrious master and his incarnation is back and being taught the monastic education so that he can continue the work of his previous incarnation.
And, it is also the place of refuge for the Dalai Lama when the Chinese troops first entered Tibet in 1951. Dungkar Monastery is also the site where the famous “17-Article Agreement” between the Chinese central government and the Dalai Lama was reached.
So, therefore Dungkar Monastery is a very special and blessed monastery indeed.
May the current incarnation of His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche have stable health and long life to continue to precious work and spread the pure teachings of Lama TSongkhapa to all teh ten directions.
Stella Cheang
Posted on September 27, 2016 #3 AuthorIt is wonderful to learn that Dungkar Monastery plays a significant role in Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the early 16th Century by Drubpa Ulong Jongnay Rinpoche. Later, Dungkar Monastery was officially founded by the highly revered Lama His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche. Under his leadership, Dungkar Monastery were renowned for the strict monastic discipline, ardent study and traditional Cham dances. It also house a Guru Rinpoche statue blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself as well as the seat of a famous and respected Dorje Shugden oracle. The 14th Dalai Lama composed the praise to Dorje Shugden called “Melody of the Unceasing Vajra” while visiting Dungkar Monastery.
Alice Tay
Posted on October 19, 2016 #4 AuthorDungkar Monastery is the first Gelug monastery in Yadong and became the most influential after it was entrusted to Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche in 1901. Besides, a Guru Rinpoche statue blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself is placed at Dungkar Monastery where Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche would perform annual special ceremonies to Guru Rinpoche.
With these 2 great historical records, it is good to maintain and reserve by the local government for the benefits of others.
Freon
Posted on August 6, 2017 #5 AuthorMany of the Monastery in Tibet is full of history and special blessing. Wish one day I can travel to Dungkar Monastery and take a look. This monastery have many unique history store in, like: having a stupa containing Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s holy body, and was consecrated by His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Rinpoche. The Dalai Lama composed praise to Dorje Shugden in this monastery and also is seat of a famous and respected Dorje Shugden oracle. Beside, this monastery produce the high quality Tibetan Medicine.
Suzy
Posted on October 31, 2017 #6 AuthorI didn’t know that Lama Zopa was confirmed by the Dorje Shugden oracle at Dungkar Monastery. A real eye-opener. The rise of Dungkar Monastery is interesting. And, despite the past where the Chinese government destroyed monasteries and oppressed the Tibetans, the new government in 2011, restored Dungkar Monastery after an earthquake damaged the main prayer hall, sacred thangkas, paintings, and monks’ residences. How far the government has come in the intervening years.
yin ping
Posted on December 1, 2017 #7 AuthorDungkar Monastery is name after the white conch shell known as “dungkar”. It was built in 16th Century and famous for its traditional Tibetan medicines throughout the region.
His Eminence Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche officially founded this monastery later on. This was the first Gelug monastery at Yadong hillside. There were smaller monasteries within Tibet and across the border of India came under the administration of Dungkar monastery too. Under the care of this great lama, these monasteries had strict discipline, emphasized on dharma study and uniquely with the traditional Cham dances.
What so special about Dungkar monastery is that it house a Guru Rinpoche statue blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself. Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche would hold annual special ceremonies to Guru Rinpoche. Beisdes, the 14th Dalai Lama composed the praise to Dorje Shugden named “Melody of the Unceasing Vajra” while he was in Dungkar Monastery.
Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche has done many works that benefits many. His holy body was embalmed and sealed in a large stupa, concecreated by H.H Kyabje Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Rinpoche, tutor to H.H the 14th Dalai Lama. Back in those days, body embalming is only for Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama.