The Illustrious Loro Monastery
Situated in Loni Village, Loni Township, Mangkang County, Loro Monastery (Blo-ra-dgon) is recognized as the largest Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) monastery within the county. Established in 1617 by the Fourth Pabala, Choekyi Gyalpo, its zenith saw a community of 500 monks.
During the democratic reforms, the monastery was closed, and its monks disbanded. Further destruction occurred during the Cultural Revolution when the monastery’s buildings were dismantled. However, in 1987, Loro Monastery underwent restoration. The reconstructed complex includes a main prayer hall, Maitreya Chapel, Protector Deity Chapel, and the monks’ quarters, now housing 99 monks.
Loro Monastery holds six annual religious gatherings, each lasting about four days. These include the Ganden Ngamchoe (celebration of Tsongkhapa’s parinirvana), Avalokiteshvara Empowerment, Saka Dawa (commemorating the enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha), a ritual dedicated to the fierce deity Vajrabhairava, a propitiation ceremony, and a lamp offering ceremony in honor of Tsongkhapa.
The Protector Deity Chapel venerates three significant figures: Saraswati, the King of Dharma, and the Six-Armed Mahakala. The main prayer hall is the monastery’s largest and most sacred space, enshrining Shakyamuni Buddha, Tsongkhapa, Arya Tara, Green Tara, and White Tara, among others.
Insightful Highlights
- Green Tara (Sgrol-ljang): Known as the “Saviouress” or “Holy Tara,” Green Tara is revered for her quick and powerful blessings, embodying fearlessness and spiritual strength. She is considered an emanation of Avalokiteshvara and appears as a young woman, serene and beautiful, her entire being radiant like emerald. Her iconography—right hand in the gesture of giving, left hand holding a blue lotus—symbolizes her readiness to help beings overcome obstacles and attain enlightenment.
- White Tara (Sgrol-ma Dkar-po): Also known as “Sita Tara,” White Tara is one of the 21 emanations of Tara, revered for her compassion, manifesting from Avalokiteshvara’s tears. She is associated with longevity and healing. Her serene and smiling face, along with her seven eyes (including on her hands and feet), symbolizes her vigilance and ability to see the suffering of beings in all realms, offering them protection and compassion.
- Vijaya (Rnam-par-rgyal-ma): Known as the “Victorious Mother” or “Buddha-Crown Vijaya,” she is considered an emanation of Vairocana Buddha. Vijaya, depicted with three faces and eight arms, embodies compassion and urgent action to save the world, promising to increase lifespan and bestow blessings. Her iconography represents her power to overcome obstacles and diseases, making her worship particularly beneficial for practitioners seeking protection and spiritual growth.
Loro Monastery, with its rich history and spiritual practices, stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring faith of the Gelug tradition in Tibet. It continues to be a pivotal center for Buddhist worship, education, and cultural preservation in Mangkang County.
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