Drigongti Temple

A Brief Introduction to Drigongti Temple

Drigongti Temple is located in the Menba Town of Mozhugongka County about 70 kilometers northeast of the Xuerong River. It was built in 1179 by RenQinbei-the founder of the Drikung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. After the construction of the temple, it became the center for the temples of Drikung Kagyu sect. It was built among the steep mountains and is very magnificent. Today, there are about 300 monks in the temple.

History of Drigongti Temple

The Drikung Kagyu sect was originally quite large a sect of Tibetan Buddhism. But in the reign of Sakya, Dtikung Kagyu sect was at odds with the Skaya sect. Later, a battled began between the two sects and lasted for a long time. It is said that, apart from the fact that the monks of the two sects fought each other, the eminent monks of the two sects even held rituals to cast spells to fight against the enemy. Following that, the Tantra monks of the two sects fought secretly. In 1290, the Sakya sect came to the Drigongti Temple from afar to fight a decisive battle. At that time, the supernatural power of the eminent monks was almost useless for it was a close battle between the monks with their hands and bodies. At last, the Drikung Kagyu sect was beaten by the Sakya sect and the Drigongti Temple was almost destroyed in the war. The majority of the buildings in the temple were ruined. In the following time, it was restored and rebuilt successively and there are more than 300 monks now in the temple.

Attractions of Drigongti Temple

Drikung Mandala

The most famous celestial burial platform of Tibet is located in the Drigongti Temple. In the world, there are altogether two well-known celestial burial platforms. One is the Siwacai Celestial Burial Platform in India and the other one is the celestial burial platform in the Drigongti Temple. It is called Drikung Mandala. According to a local saying, if one receives the abhiseka ritual of the living Buddha, he will go to the heaven rather than the hell after he dies. Therefore, many people send the dead to this celestial burial platform in the hope that their relatives can go to the heaven. Countless colorful Fengma (wind and horses) Flags (Fengma Flags are used to pray for the dead) hang on around the celestial burial platform, waving in the wind.

Stupas

There are 6 stupas of the living Buddhas not far from the celestial burial platform. Inside these stupas lay the remains of the dignitary. Stone carvings of the Buddhism scriptures are piled up around these stupas. In this way, the souls of the dead dignitary live forever.

Temples near Drigongti Temple

There are many temple buildings of the Drikung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism near the Drigiongti Temple, one after another. It is said that there were once altogether more than 30 temple buildings near the Drigongti Temple while there are only 6 or 7 remained. In the deep of the mountain streams lies a temple named Dezhong Nunnery. It is a famous ashram for the self-cultivation of the nuns. There is a hot spring named Dezhong Hot Spring in the nunnery. With a moderate temperature, it can cure many diseases. Many people come here to enjoy the magical effects of the Dezhong Hot Spring. On the bank of the lower- middle reaches of the Xuerong River lie the Ya'ergang Temple, the Zongtze Temple, the Zhaxue Temple, Gatze Temple and so on.