Taklung Monastery
Encyclopedia
Taklung Monastery, Taklung stag-lung, Taklung Yarthang Monastery, Pel Taklug Tang (dPal sTag lung thang) or Taklung or Taglung Gompa is a Kagyu
Buddhist monastery about 120 km north of Lhasa.
(1142–1210), on a site previously inhabited by a famous Kadampa
lama, Potawa, who was a disciple of Dromton
(1005–1064), Atisha's chief disciple. It is the main seat of the Taklung Kagyu, one of the four chief schools of the Kagyu sect.
Through the efforts of Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal, and his immediate successors, the number of monks eventually increased to 7,000. The main temple known as the Tsuklakhang (the Jokhang of Taklung) was completed in 1228.
An eastern branch, Riwoche Monastery
in Kham
, which was founded by the fourth preceptor, Sangye On, and it gradually gained in importance as the Gelugpa monasteries of Sera
and Drepung extended their influence at Taklung. Eventually its power diminished in favour of Riwoche. From the time of the founding of Riwoche Monastery (1276 CE) the Taklung lineage was divided into "upper" and "lower" branches, Taklung forming the "upper" branch.
Taklung was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution
but has since been partially restored.
, the Reliquary Lhakhang which contains the remains of the now-looted enormous stupas which once contained the remains of Lhakhang's three founders, the Dargyeling Temple with its statue of Aksobhya Buddha, and the Assembly Hall or Zhelrekhang, and some smaller buildings have been reconstructed.
Kagyu
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...
Buddhist monastery about 120 km north of Lhasa.
History
The monastery was founded in 1180 (or 1178) CE by Taklung Thangpa Tashi PalTaklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal is the Founder of the Taklung Kagyu lineage.The Taklung Kagyu lineage remains unbroken to this day.Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal founded the Taklung Yarthang Monastery....
(1142–1210), on a site previously inhabited by a famous Kadampa
Kadampa
The Kadampa tradition was a Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist school. Dromtönpa, a Tibetan lay master and the foremost disciple of the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha , founded it and passed three lineages to his disciples. The Kadampa were quite famous and respected for their proper and earnest...
lama, Potawa, who was a disciple of Dromton
Dromtön
Dromtön Gyalwe Jungney was the chief disciple of Buddhist master Atisha. He was born in Tolung at the beginning of the period of the second propagation of Buddhism in Tibet. He began preaching in the Tibetan region in 1042...
(1005–1064), Atisha's chief disciple. It is the main seat of the Taklung Kagyu, one of the four chief schools of the Kagyu sect.
Through the efforts of Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal, and his immediate successors, the number of monks eventually increased to 7,000. The main temple known as the Tsuklakhang (the Jokhang of Taklung) was completed in 1228.
- "The sTag-lung-pa Lama [about the end of the 12th century] exemplifies the disciplined and pious existence of the founder of a great monastery. The Blue Annals (pp. 610-20) describes the simple austerity of his life, which was a continual process of silent meditation, preaching, ceremonies and rites. No wine or meat was allowed in his monastery, and no woman might enter his house. He never went for a walk beyond the limits of his monastery, and he never failed to attend to the rites and teachings given by his own Lama Phag-mo-gru (1110-1170 CE). His advice was constantly sought, and he was frequently called upon to mediate in the disputes of his contemporaries."
An eastern branch, Riwoche Monastery
Riwoche Monastery
Riwoche Monastery, Riwoche Tsuklakhang Tragyelma is situated 29 km north of the small town of Ratsaka , and 134 km west of Chamdo in Kham...
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...
, which was founded by the fourth preceptor, Sangye On, and it gradually gained in importance as the Gelugpa monasteries of Sera
Sera
Sera may refer to:- Music :* Sera, a Symphonic rock/electronica singer/composer/producer* Sera, the well known bass player in Greece- Places :* Sera, Hiroshima, a town in Japan* Sera District, Hiroshima, a district located in Hiroshima, Japan...
and Drepung extended their influence at Taklung. Eventually its power diminished in favour of Riwoche. From the time of the founding of Riwoche Monastery (1276 CE) the Taklung lineage was divided into "upper" and "lower" branches, Taklung forming the "upper" branch.
Taklung was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
but has since been partially restored.
Description
The massive 13th century Tsuklakang and the Markang or Red Temple now just form extensive ruins. However, the Jampa Lhakhang dedicated to MaitreyaMaitreya
Maitreya , Metteyya , or Jampa , is foretold as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he or she is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on...
, the Reliquary Lhakhang which contains the remains of the now-looted enormous stupas which once contained the remains of Lhakhang's three founders, the Dargyeling Temple with its statue of Aksobhya Buddha, and the Assembly Hall or Zhelrekhang, and some smaller buildings have been reconstructed.