Ganden Monastery

A Brief Introduction to Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is located on the 3,800-meters-high Wangbori Mountain in the Dazi County, 57 kilometers away from Lhasa. Ganden Monastery is the most special monastery among the six monasteries of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built by Tsongkhapa-the founder of Gelugpa sect in 1409 and can be the premier monastery of Gelugpa sect. Ganden Monastery, together with Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, are called the "Three Major Monasteries" of Lhasa.

History of Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery was built in Yongle the seventh year of the Ming Dynasty (1409). In the 15th century, Tsongkhapa-the founder of Gelugpa sect or the Yellow sect of Tibetan Buddhism implemented the religious reformation in Tibet. He built the first monastery of Gelugpa sect himself.

In the year of 1419, Tsongkhapa passed away in the Ganden Monastery. And his body residues were treasured up in the stupas. The cave in which Tsongkhapa cultivated himself is located on the acme of the monastery in the east. Under the cave is the bedroom of Tsongkhapa, where the scriptures, seals and other remains of Tsongkhapa are kept.

In Yongzheng the 11th year of Qing Dynasty (1733), the then emperor entitled the monastery as the Yongtai (peaceful forever) Monastery.

Attractions of Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is comprised of over 50 structures. The main halls in the temple are the Main Assembly Hall (or Coqen Hall), Tri Thok Khang, Zhacangs, Khangtsens, and Myicuns.

Coqen Hall of Ganden Monastery

Coqen Hall is positioned in the northern part of the whole complex and faces south. It serves as the main assembly hall. It has three levels, and is 43.8 meters wide and 44.7 meters long. The Sutra Hall runs through the middle of the first floor, with the three Buddha Halls branching from it. The Sutra Hall is so large that it can hold over 3,000 lamas. Inside the Buddha Halls are statues of the Maitreya Buddha and the master Tsongkhapa, the initiator of Gelugpa. To the west of Coqen Hall is the other main hall consisting of the Buddhist Guardian Hall, Mandala Hall, and other complexes. It was built during the early fifteenth century, from 1409-1416. On the back wall is a huge stone which is said to have flown here from India.

Tri Thok Khang of Ganden Monastery

Tri Thok Khang is one of the earliest Buddha Halls in the Ganden Monastery, and once served as Tsongkhapa and other tripas' bedchamber. Originally built in 1409, and added onto in 1720, it was once adorned with luxurious gilded bronze bricks. In the hall are enshrined statues of the Sitatapatra and Manjushri Bodhisattva. Its windows are ornately carved in the style of the Central Plains. Due to the fact that is houses clothing of Tsongkhapa and other tripas, it is also known as the "Clothing-Preserving Hall".

Serdhung of Ganden Monastery

Serdhung is the Holy Stupa Hall that was used by Tsongkhapa and other tripas'. In 1419, Tsongkhapa passed away in Tri Thok Khang and in the following year his disciples established the hall for him, as well as a silver pagoda inside with more than 900 liang (1 liang=50 grams) of silver to surround the master's body. Afterwards, the thirteenth Dalai Lama covered it with pure gold. From then on, each time a tripa died, a silver pagoda would be built in their honor. In the time leading up to the liberation of Tibet, 95 pagodas were built.

Two Zhacangs of Ganden Monastery

The monastery possesses two Zhacang (or Tantric colleges) - Xaze and Jamze. Both of these cover an area of nearly 1,000 square meters and are capable of holding 1,500 worshipping lamas.

Other Attractions of Ganden Monastery

There are also 23 Khangtsens and 20 Myicuns, which serve as the monks' living areas. Nine Debating Courtyards are used to as places to debate the sutras every day, as well as perform Summons Ceremonies throughout the four seasons.

Besides the 95 Holy Stupas, Ganden Monastery also houses rare and well preserved cultural relics, such as the armor of Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911). This armour is studded with jewels and engraved in four kinds of characters. There are also exquisite tapestries from Jiangsu Province, the sutra written in gold known as the National Key Cultural Relic, and a set of thangka painted with sixteen arhats and the four Heavenly Kings. All of these are amazing works of art.