Spituk Monastery
See_thub (exemplary) popularly known as the Spituk Gonpa is one of the prominient Ge.Lug.Pa monasteries. It was founded by King Grab.Pa.Bum.lde in the last 14th century A.d. The site for the monastery was granted by the king to the two emisaries sent by Tson.Kha.Pa for installation of the statue of the Tse.Pag.med which is said to have originated from thenose blood of Tsong.Kha.Pa. The statue was insalled within the 10 feet high statue of Buddha in the assembly hall of the monastery.
In the main temple, at the upper end there are the seats for His Holiness Dalai Lama and Bakula Rinpoche. It also houses the statues of Shakyamuni Tsong.Kha.Pa and His two disciples; Yamantakha and Avalokiteswara. There are the Kangyur and Tangyur (The Discourses and Commentaries) in wooden shelves on the left of the hall and paintings of the protector deities on the walls.
The Chow.Khang on the upper floor houses the statue of the Chow in the central position brought from Tibet in 1960. A statue of Padma Sambhava to its right and a silver plated Chang.Chub.chorten to the left.
To the right of Chow.Khang is Dolma Lakhang which houses twenty one copper gilt Taras. Each Tara holds a long stemmed lotus and has seven eyes (eyes of Knowledge). These statues were also brought from Tibet by present incarnate Lama. The statues of Dolma is worshipped in all the monasteries irrespective of different sects and hymns of Domla are recited daily by monks and laymen alike.
The Chikhang below the main monstery houses the status of Lord Buddha, with his two disciples and Yamantaka. there are paintings of the protector deities on the walls. The inner temple contains several precious statues and Cham Sring, the protector deities of the monastery.
Spituk Gustor, the annual moastic festival takes place fromt eh 26th to 28th of the 11th Tibetan month. Ladakh, India.