Trundruk Monastery

A Brief Introduction to Trundruk Monastery

Trundruk Monastery is located at the south foot of Gongburi Mountain on the eastern bank of Yalong River. It is a monastery of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Trundruk Monastery was built in the Songtzen Gampo period in the 7th century and is one of the first Buddhism monasteries built in the Tubo Kingdom. It is said that Princess Wencheng once cultivated herself in this monastery. In 1961, the Trundruk Monastery was listed as the national key cultural relic protection unit.

Legend of Trundruk Monastery

In Tibetan, the word "Trun" means an eagle or a roc and the word "druk" means dragon. According to the legend, there was once an evil dragon in this area, harming the local people. Later, Songtzen Gampo turned himself into a roc and defeated the evil dragon. Then the monastery was built here and was named Trundruk Monastery.

History of Trundruk Monastery

Trundruk Monastery was built in the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. Songtsen Gampo was said to have built it. At that time, the scale of the monastery was still quite small.

Before the year of 1351, the Trundruk Monastery was added with several Buddha Halls and it laid the foundation of later layout of Trundruk Monastery.

In the period of the fifth Dalai, he expanded the monastery and built a golden roof onto the main hall and built a gate to the Coqen Hall.

In the period of the seventh Dalai, he repaired and expanded the Trudrunk Monastery into a scale of 100 times than before. Its total area reached 4,667 square meters with a length of 81 meters and a width of 57.6 meters.

Cultural Relics of Trundruk Monastery

Trundruk Monastery is one of the most magnificent and spectacular architectural complexes in Tibet. Many cultural relics can be found here in the Trundruk Monastery.

Pearl Thangka of Trundruk Monastery

Pearl Thangka is the treasure of the Trundruk Monastery. The figure of Arya Avalokiteshvara was painted on the Pearl Thangka. This Thangka is 2 meters high and 1.2 meters wide. It is made of 2,9026 pearls, one diamond, two rubies, one sapphire, 0.55 liang (about 25g) purple gem, 185 kallaites, 15.5g gold and 4.1 liang (more than 200g). So many years have passed, this priceless pearl Thangka is still in good condition, making itself more valuable.

Bronze Bell of Trundruk Monastery

The bronze bell in Trundruk Monastery is famous in the whole Tibetan area. Inscriptions are engraved on the bronze bell, telling that the bell was built under the supervision of a Han people.

Sakyamuni Thangka of Trundruk Monastery

There is also a Sakyamuni Thangka in the Trundruk Monastery which was said to be embroidered by Princess Wencheng. It is treasured up in the backmost room on the second floor together with the precious pearl Thangka.