Lamayuru Gonpa
Lamayuru Gonpa
"Yung-dung Thapa Ling", popularly known as Yuru Gonpa, belongs to the "Bri-Gung-Pa (Digungpa) branch of the Ka-gyu-pa order. The Bri-Gung-Pa school is named after the monastery of the Bri-Gung in Tibet, which was founded by Skyoba Jig-rten-gon.po (1143-1212). The order traces its origin back to two Indian Tantric masters, Tilopa and his disciple Naropa.
It is said that once the whole valley was under a Lake's water, Nimagon, an Arahat prayed thus " May a monastery be founded in this place." He offered votive water offerings (Chu-gtor) to the Nagae, serpent spirits of the waters and caused the lake's water to drain out. The grains of corn offered to the water spirits mysteriously grew into the shape of a Yung-Dung (swastika), when a monastery was later founded here it was called Yung-Dung Gonpa.
In the late 10th century Naropa came to this place. The cave where Naropa meditated is inside the Du-Khang.
Rinchen Zangpo, the translator, built many temples and stupas and the teaching of Kadampa School came to flourish here. King Jamyang Namgyal offered it to the Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh, the rituals and observance of the Digung Kagyyu school were introduced, and the monastery got its new name of "Yung-Dung Thapra Ling" (place of freedom) as in the 16th century, the monastery was declared a holy site where even criminals could seek sanctuary.
Singee Gang, at the southern end of the rock is the most ancient part of the monastery. The Principal image is that of Jamyang (God of Wisdom), on his right is the blue Tara, and on his left is the yellow Tara. The figure above the Garuda is placed above the whole group of image.
In a side Chapel of the Singee Gang temple there as the images of Palden Lhamo and Gongo (Maha Kala). The library hall contains the stucco statues of Naropa, and other Ka-Gyu-Pa Lamas like Tilopa, Naropa and Milerepa the main image in this monastery is a well preserved Vairocana.
Yuru Kabgyat, the three-day annual festival of the monastery is held from the 27th to the 29th of the Tibetan month.
Moorcraft in 1820, found letters of protections, exemption from forced labour and revenue taxes issued to the monastery by Mughal King Aurangzeb and even by one of the Balti King.
© Dept of Tourism Leh.
Read More"Yung-dung Thapa Ling", popularly known as Yuru Gonpa, belongs to the "Bri-Gung-Pa (Digungpa) branch of the Ka-gyu-pa order. The Bri-Gung-Pa school is named after the monastery of the Bri-Gung in Tibet, which was founded by Skyoba Jig-rten-gon.po (1143-1212). The order traces its origin back to two Indian Tantric masters, Tilopa and his disciple Naropa.
It is said that once the whole valley was under a Lake's water, Nimagon, an Arahat prayed thus " May a monastery be founded in this place." He offered votive water offerings (Chu-gtor) to the Nagae, serpent spirits of the waters and caused the lake's water to drain out. The grains of corn offered to the water spirits mysteriously grew into the shape of a Yung-Dung (swastika), when a monastery was later founded here it was called Yung-Dung Gonpa.
In the late 10th century Naropa came to this place. The cave where Naropa meditated is inside the Du-Khang.
Rinchen Zangpo, the translator, built many temples and stupas and the teaching of Kadampa School came to flourish here. King Jamyang Namgyal offered it to the Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh, the rituals and observance of the Digung Kagyyu school were introduced, and the monastery got its new name of "Yung-Dung Thapra Ling" (place of freedom) as in the 16th century, the monastery was declared a holy site where even criminals could seek sanctuary.
Singee Gang, at the southern end of the rock is the most ancient part of the monastery. The Principal image is that of Jamyang (God of Wisdom), on his right is the blue Tara, and on his left is the yellow Tara. The figure above the Garuda is placed above the whole group of image.
In a side Chapel of the Singee Gang temple there as the images of Palden Lhamo and Gongo (Maha Kala). The library hall contains the stucco statues of Naropa, and other Ka-Gyu-Pa Lamas like Tilopa, Naropa and Milerepa the main image in this monastery is a well preserved Vairocana.
Yuru Kabgyat, the three-day annual festival of the monastery is held from the 27th to the 29th of the Tibetan month.
Moorcraft in 1820, found letters of protections, exemption from forced labour and revenue taxes issued to the monastery by Mughal King Aurangzeb and even by one of the Balti King.
© Dept of Tourism Leh.
