Riwoche Monastery
Encyclopedia
Riwoche Monastery, Riwoche Tsuklakhang Tragyelma (Tib. ri-bo-che; Ch. Leiwuqi Si) is situated 29 km north of the small town of Ratsaka (also known as Riwoche Town), and 134 km west of Chamdo
in Kham
. It is at an altitude of about 3,400 metres (11, 152 ft) in a fertile valley containing the Dzi River, a tributary to the Mekong River.
School of Tibetan Buddhism, and Abbot of Taklung Monastery
. He had promised the abbot's chair to two nephews, Onpo (1251–1296) and Mangalaguru. When Yarjon died, Onpo, just a young man, assumed the hierarch's position for one year. His older cousin, Mangalaguru (1231–1297), later took control of the monastery. Later, Onpu's disciple Choku Orgyan Gonpo (1293–1366), became second abbot of Riwoche. It became the main branch of the Taklung in Kham and, according to Go Lotsawa
, the author of the Blue Annals
, it once had as many as 2,000 monks, and held the greatest reputation among Khampa monasteries. From the time of its founding, the Taklung lineage was divided into "upper" and "lower" branches, Riwoche forming the "lower" branch. Today there are 305 monks residing at Riwoche Monastery.
The surrounding community of practitioners includes both members of the Kagyu and Nyingma
schools, some of whom are married.
Chamdo
Qamdo , or Chamdo, officially organised as Chengguan of Qamdo County , population in 1999 about 86,280, is a major town in the historical region of Kham in the eastern Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The capital of Qamdo County and Qamdo Prefecture, it is Tibet's third...
in Kham
Kham
Kham , is a historical region covering a land area largely divided between present-day Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan province, with smaller portions located within Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces of China. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China , most of the region was...
. It is at an altitude of about 3,400 metres (11, 152 ft) in a fertile valley containing the Dzi River, a tributary to the Mekong River.
History
Riwoche was founded in 1276 CE by Sangye On, who was a student of Sangye Yarjon, the third lineage-holder of the Taklung branch of the KagyuKagyu
The Kagyu, Kagyupa, or Kagyud school, also known as the "Oral Lineage" or Whispered Transmission school, is today regarded as one of six main schools of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism, the other five being the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Bon and Gelug...
School of Tibetan Buddhism, and Abbot of Taklung Monastery
Taklung Monastery
Taklung Monastery, Taklung stag-lung, Taklung Yarthang Monastery, Pel Taklug Tang or Taklung or Taglung Gompa is a Kagyu Buddhist monastery about 120 km north of Lhasa.-History:...
. He had promised the abbot's chair to two nephews, Onpo (1251–1296) and Mangalaguru. When Yarjon died, Onpo, just a young man, assumed the hierarch's position for one year. His older cousin, Mangalaguru (1231–1297), later took control of the monastery. Later, Onpu's disciple Choku Orgyan Gonpo (1293–1366), became second abbot of Riwoche. It became the main branch of the Taklung in Kham and, according to Go Lotsawa
Gö Lotsawa
gZhon-nu-dpal , also known as Gos Lo-tsa-ba , famous Tibetan historian and scholar.-Life and achievements:He was born in 1392 at lho kha 'phyongs rgyas...
, the author of the Blue Annals
Blue Annals
The Blue Annals completed in 1476, authored by Gö Lotsāwa Zhönnu Pel , is a Tibetan historical survey with a marked 'ecumenical' view, focusing upon the dissemination of various sectarian spiritual traditions throughout Tibet.An English translation by George de Roerich with help from Gendun...
, it once had as many as 2,000 monks, and held the greatest reputation among Khampa monasteries. From the time of its founding, the Taklung lineage was divided into "upper" and "lower" branches, Riwoche forming the "lower" branch. Today there are 305 monks residing at Riwoche Monastery.
Description
The main temple is three-storied and has been undergoing restoration since 1985 after its destruction by invading forces. It is very imposing, supported by huge tree trunks and painted in black red and white vertical stripes, which is distinctive of the Taklung lineage. The monastery contained a notable 14th century cloth painting entitled Jnanatapa which was unearthed in recent years. The central figure depicts the Onpo Lama Rinpoche and the spiritual lineage of Riwoche monastery.The surrounding community of practitioners includes both members of the Kagyu and Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
schools, some of whom are married.