Introduction to Namdruk Monastery
Namdruk Monastery, also known as “གནམ་འབྲུག་སེ་བ་བྱང་ཆུབ་ཆོས་གླིང་དགོན” is nestled in the serene Namdruk Township within Qushui County. The name Namdruk, meaning “Heavenly Township” or “Realm of the Sky” in Tibetan, evokes images of a place touched by the divine. Founded in 1189 by the revered Kagyu monk Tsangpa Gyare (འགྲོ་མགོན་གཙང་པ་རྒྱ་རས་), the monastery was originally established in the enchanting Namdruk Valley. The term “Druk” in Tibetan signifies “Dragon” or refers to the sound of thunder, believed by ancient Tibetans to be the roar of dragons.
According to legend, three peals of thunder or the sighting of a dragoness marked the founding of the monastery. These events inspired Tsangpa Gyare to name the lineage “Drukpa Kagyu.” Over time, this lineage divided into three branches: Upper Drukpa, Lower Drukpa, and Southern Drukpa, which spread throughout Tibet. Notably, the Southern Drukpa branch became the main religious tradition in Bhutan, earning the country the nickname “Land of the Thunder Dragon.”
The Monastery’s Unique Features
Namdruk Monastery is positioned at the foothills of Namdruk Mountain, beside the winding Namdruk River. Its distinctive architecture, with white walls, red eaves, and golden tiles, stands out against the somewhat desolate valley backdrop. Tsangpa Gyare’s teachings resonated far and wide, attracting thousands of monks and resulting in the construction of over a thousand simple dwellings around the monastery, housing more than ten thousand monks at its zenith.
The monastery has been a spiritual beacon, linking the revered Tibetan mountains of Tsering and Gang Rinpoche through the pioneering religious practices of Tsangpa Gyare and his disciple, God Tshangpa, the founder of Upper Drukpa. Namdruk Monastery houses numerous “treasures” that attest to its rich history, including items used by Tsangpa Gyare like butter and barley tea bowls, boots, and hats.
Among the monastery’s treasures is a large bow and arrow, donated by a local hunter named Yangdro Daromba and his seven sons, who renounced hunting to follow Tsangpa Gyare’s teachings. These relics are preserved in the “Dashu Lhakang” (Bow and Arrow Shrine).
The “Treasure Room” holds three stones with deep imprints, including one with Tsangpa Gyare’s footprints, believed to have been left when he emerged from a meatball at birth under the protection of a dakinis incarnated as an eagle.
Visitor’s Guide to Namdruk Monastery
- Golden Red Stupas: On the hillside next to Namdruk Monastery stand three golden-red stupas dedicated to the Kagyu tradition’s revered “Crow Protector Spirits,” embodiments of the important protector deity Mahakala.
- Niangmu Nang: En route to Namdruk Monastery, visitors will find a secluded valley home to its subsidiary monastery, “Niangmu Nang” (“Place of Good Practice”), where Tsangpa Gyare and the “Drukpa Madman,” Drukpa Gönley, once meditated.
The 2008 Dangxiong earthquake damaged Namdruk Monastery, but it has since been restored. The newly repaired main hall features exquisite depictions of Kagyu lineage founders, including Tsangpa Gyare, adding a layer of spiritual depth and beauty to this sacred site.
Tips for Your Visit
- Cultural Significance: Engage with the rich history and spiritual practices that make Namdruk Monastery a cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Accessibility: The monastery is approximately 69 kilometers from Lhasa’s city center, accessible by self-driving or hiring a car.
- Accommodation: Though basic, lodging is available within the monastery for those looking to immerse themselves fully in the monastic life.
- Sama Zha Temple: Explore another nunnery within the county, built in the 9th century, offering a deeper understanding of the region’s religious heritage.
Namdruk Monastery remains a testament to the enduring spirit of Tibetan Buddhism, inviting travelers to explore its historical depths and spiritual serenity.
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