Thiksey Monastery
Rising tier above tier, Thiksey Monastery offers a commanding view of the village below. The highlight of the temple is a fifteen-meter high image of Buddha and a fresco of the eighty-four mahasidhas. Ladakh, India.
This statue of the Future Buddha came into being as a result of the deep faith and devotion of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect, Gyalwa Tsongkhapa's chief disciple, Changsem Sherab Zangpo's lineage whose living reincarnation is Thikesy Rinpoche, Kushok Nawang Chamba Stazin. Rinpoche, together with his teacher, Kachen Lobzang Zotpa, and Changtsotla, Venerable Lobzang Chodak, the monastery staff members and sangha community and sponsors made this statue possible. On 26th July 1980 His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrated the statue. Seeing the statue at that time, His Hoilness said that there was really no need for any consecration. He said that at the full moon, the new moon and at each half moon, four monks should continuously chant the Maitrey Sutra (Prayer). His Holiness said, "Rinpoche you are very, very lucky. This Maitreya is very beautiful. Even if you see this Maitreya again and again, you will never see it enough; you will always want to see more, you will never be satisfied. I have seen many statues but this Maitreya is very special for me. I have never seen a Maitreya like this beofre. Rinpoche, the Sangha community and sponsors will accumulate great merit."
The 12 meter (40 ft) high statue took three years to build, with 30 people working continuously. It is made of clay and terra cotta brick painted with gold.
The murals behind the statue tell the story of the Future Buddha. On the right side opposite the door are paintings of Thiksey Rinpoche's lineage. On the east side (the wall facing the statue), is a panel showing from left Dum Tonpa, Atisha, Legpai Sherab, Ling Rinpoche, 10th Panchen Rinpoche, HH 14th Dalai Lama, Trichang Rinpoche, Kachen Lobzang Zotpa, Je Tsongkhapa and his two chief disciples, Gyaltseb Jhe and Kehdub Jhe. On the entrance wall are pictures of he Buddha Saky muni, Manjushri, Maitreya, Nagarjuna, Asanga and six great Indian Scholars.
Read MoreThis statue of the Future Buddha came into being as a result of the deep faith and devotion of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect, Gyalwa Tsongkhapa's chief disciple, Changsem Sherab Zangpo's lineage whose living reincarnation is Thikesy Rinpoche, Kushok Nawang Chamba Stazin. Rinpoche, together with his teacher, Kachen Lobzang Zotpa, and Changtsotla, Venerable Lobzang Chodak, the monastery staff members and sangha community and sponsors made this statue possible. On 26th July 1980 His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrated the statue. Seeing the statue at that time, His Hoilness said that there was really no need for any consecration. He said that at the full moon, the new moon and at each half moon, four monks should continuously chant the Maitrey Sutra (Prayer). His Holiness said, "Rinpoche you are very, very lucky. This Maitreya is very beautiful. Even if you see this Maitreya again and again, you will never see it enough; you will always want to see more, you will never be satisfied. I have seen many statues but this Maitreya is very special for me. I have never seen a Maitreya like this beofre. Rinpoche, the Sangha community and sponsors will accumulate great merit."
The 12 meter (40 ft) high statue took three years to build, with 30 people working continuously. It is made of clay and terra cotta brick painted with gold.
The murals behind the statue tell the story of the Future Buddha. On the right side opposite the door are paintings of Thiksey Rinpoche's lineage. On the east side (the wall facing the statue), is a panel showing from left Dum Tonpa, Atisha, Legpai Sherab, Ling Rinpoche, 10th Panchen Rinpoche, HH 14th Dalai Lama, Trichang Rinpoche, Kachen Lobzang Zotpa, Je Tsongkhapa and his two chief disciples, Gyaltseb Jhe and Kehdub Jhe. On the entrance wall are pictures of he Buddha Saky muni, Manjushri, Maitreya, Nagarjuna, Asanga and six great Indian Scholars.
