Puntsokling Monastery (彭措林寺, also spelled Phuntsokling or Phun-tshogs-gling) is a historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Lhatse County, on the southern bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, within Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region. Situated at an elevation of 4,100 meters, the monastery is a remarkable spiritual and architectural treasure with deep religious significance.
A Sacred Foundation: History of Puntsokling Monastery
The monastery was originally established in 1614 by the revered scholar Tāranātha with support from the local Tibetan ruler Desi Tsangpa Puntsok Namgyal. At its founding, it was named Tashiden Puntsokling and served as a major center for the Jonang school of Tibetan Buddhism.
In 1649, during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, the monastery was converted into the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and was renamed Ganden Puntsokling Monastery. Today, it is commonly known simply as Puntsokling Monastery.
Architectural Evolution in Three Stages
The construction of Puntsokling Monastery unfolded in three major phases over a period of 12 years:
- First Stage: The main Assembly Hall (Dukhang) was constructed.
- Second Stage: A series of 16 small chapels and monks’ quarters were added.
- Third Stage: The upper hillside was developed with key structures like the Tubten Kyabgön Lhakhang and additional smaller chapels.
Later renovations and expansions continued for centuries. At its peak, Puntsokling Monastery housed over 3,000 lamas. Before Tibet’s democratic reforms, the number had decreased to around 350 monks, and currently, about 41 monks reside at the monastery.
A Grand and Sacred Layout: Tibetan Mandala-Inspired Design
Puntsokling Monastery is one of the largest monastery complexes in Shigatse. The main entrance faces north, and the monastery complex spans a courtyard area of over 37,800 square meters. Its mandala-style layout (symbolizing the esoteric tantric universe) places the Assembly Hall at the center, surrounded by 16 chapels (Lhakhangs), a scripture printing house, ruins of the former monastic government offices, and monk residences.
Mountain and Valley Layout: A Two-Part Complex
The overall structure of Puntsokling is divided into:
- Lower Mountain Complex: Contains the central Assembly Hall, Lhakhang Dondrub, the scripture printing house, the former government headquarters, and the monks’ dormitories.
- Upper Mountain Complex: Includes the Tubten Kyabgön Lhakhang and other chapels, built strategically on the mountain slopes for spiritual and visual grandeur.
The Assembly Hall, which is the heart of the monastery, covers 1,700 square meters and faces east. Though it appears to be five stories tall from the outside, it has three actual levels. In front of the entrance lies a courtyard, a teaching platform, and a decorative screen wall. Behind the screen wall is a nine-step stone terrace, which leads to the hall’s main floor via a traditional wooden ladder.
Inside Puntsokling Monastery: Halls, Murals, and Sacred Art
Ground Floor Layout of the Assembly Hall
The ground floor of the Assembly Hall consists of several sections: the front porch, main chanting hall (Tsokchen), Buddha shrine, and the Protector Deity Hall (Gönkhang).
- Front Porch:
This entrance hall spans 59.4 square meters (10.8m x 5.5m), supported by four round pillars each 0.8 meters in diameter, structured as three bays wide and two bays deep. The walls of the porch are richly decorated with detailed murals of the Four Heavenly Kings, Fifteen Regional Deities, Eight Dragon Kings, as well as images of princes, princesses, ministers, and attendants. These paintings feature smooth lines, vivid colors, and are considered masterpieces of Tibetan mural art.
The Main Chanting Hall (Tsokchen)
The main chanting hall covers approximately 635 square meters (25.5m x 25.5m), with a layout of seven bays by seven bays, supported by 32 wooden pillars. Two central pillars rise through the upper floor to form a clerestory skylight, allowing natural light and airflow. The remaining 30 pillars feature painted capitals with images of 34 Bodhisattvas.
Originally, this hall enshrined multiple statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and his disciples, many of which were damaged. New statues have since been installed, including those of Je Tsongkhapa, the 10th Panchen Lama, and Tāranātha.
Wall Murals of the Tsokchen Hall
The interior walls are fully covered in sacred murals. The centerpiece features 40 images of Shakyamuni Buddha, each about 2 meters tall, surrounded by a richly symbolic arrangement that includes:
- The Sixteen Arhats
- Twenty-five Heruka Deities
- Yoginis
- Gongchen Rinpoche
- Treasure Guardian Protectors
- Mahākāla (Palden Lhamo)
- Vajrabhairava (Yamāntaka)
- Chakrasamvara
- Vajrayogini
- Numerous Bodhisattvas
These artworks exhibit exquisite composition, clear hierarchy, bold strokes, and radiant color application, highlighting the masterful skills of Tibetan painters and their profound spiritual symbolism.
The Buddha Shrine Hall
Slightly elevated 50 cm above the ground, the Buddha Shrine Hall has a footprint of 151.2 square meters (16.8m x 9m), with eight long pillars, and is laid out as five bays wide and three bays deep. The main image is a rare statue of Chödrang Drolma, cast using a mixture of various materials. Originally, there were also seven tall bronze statues along the rear wall, now lost. The remaining wall paintings feature Shakyamuni Buddha and Tāranātha.
The Protector Deity Hall (Gönkhang)
A smaller hall of 37.8 square meters (9m x 4.2m), the Gönkhang has two columns and a layout of three bays by two bays. It originally housed images of protector deities such as Gönpo Zhashi and Palden Lhamo. Today, a newly sculpted statue of Palden Lhamo dominates the rear wall.
The surrounding murals are drawn using gold-lined single-stroke techniques, depicting fierce and wrathful Dharmapalas with intense expressions and surreal postures. Many of the faces have been retouched, enhancing their fearsome and mystical presence. This shrine is only open to worshippers on the 8th day of the 11th month in the Tibetan lunar calendar.
Unique Wall Paintings and Upper Story Layout
On the outer wall of the adjacent storeroom, murals of acrobatic performances and other secular themes are visible—an unusual yet culturally rich subject in monastic art.
The second floor of the Assembly Hall features a 2.2-meter-wide corridor surrounding the upper skylight. The walls of this gallery are fully painted with the “Life of Shakyamuni Buddha”, beginning from the right side of the rear wall and wrapping around in a zigzag composition. These detailed paintings illustrate key episodes from:
- The Buddha’s renunciation
- His spiritual teachings
- Enlightenment
- Parinirvana
Alongside these are depictions of Tibetan funerary rites (sky burial), historical battles, stone-lifting traditions, and local customs—offering viewers a vivid panorama of both Buddhist history and Tibetan cultural life.
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Upper Floors of Puntsokling Monastery: Rare Shrines and Lost Treasures
Second Floor: Shrines Behind the Inner Gallery
On the second floor, located behind the light-filled inner corridor of the Assembly Hall, lie several important shrine rooms:
• Jak Lhakhang (Indian Buddha Shrine):
Situated at the front of the second floor, this hall was originally built to house a sacred statue gifted from India. A special throne for the Panchen Lama was later added inside. The room measures three bays wide and two bays deep, supported by five wooden columns.
• Nyéjung Gönkhang (Left Hall):
Located on the left side of the second floor, this protector deity shrine covers 27.36 square meters (5.7m x 4.8m) and features Buddha statues and wall murals.
• Gönkhang Pal (Right Hall):
Positioned on the right, this is another Protector Deity Chapel, dedicated to wrathful guardian spirits, a common feature in Gelug and earlier traditions for monastic protection.
Third Floor: The Tara Shrine and Sacred Storage
• Drolma Lhakhang (Tārā Chapel):
On the left side of the third floor, this small yet spiritually rich chapel is dedicated to Goddess Tārā (Drolma). Measuring 27.54 square meters (5.4m x 5.1m), it has one central column and houses a bronze statue of Tārā. The surrounding murals portray eminent Jonang lineage masters, showcasing its early religious heritage.
• Akhang (Storage Room):
Located on the right side of the third floor, this room serves a practical purpose: storing tools and repair materials for the Assembly Hall roof—a reflection of the ongoing care given to Puntsokling Monastery’s structure.
Rear of the Third Floor: Ömen Lhakhang – A Masterpiece of Murals
At the back of the third floor is the grand Ömen Lhakhang, one of the largest shrine rooms in the complex:
• Dimensions: 130.2 square meters (15.5m x 8.4m), with eight supporting columns
• Interior Art: The walls are adorned with the most exquisite and elaborate Buddhist murals in the entire monastery. The central figures include:
• Shakyamuni Buddha
• Various Bodhisattvas
• The Pure Land of Secret Adornment (Ghanavyūha)
• Vairocana
• The Five Dhyani Buddhas
• Jonang lineage masters
• The Kalachakra Mandala (Wheel of Time)
The Bodhisattva images in this room are particularly striking. They stand gracefully in full form, with rounded, exposed chests, delicate waistbands in the shape of a “T”, draped shawls, and short spiral-patterned skirts—all executed in the Gandhāran art style of ancient India. Their serene expressions and elegant posture radiate a captivating beauty. The compositions are meticulously organized, with central figures flanked by assistants and surrounded by intricately painted backdrops.
These paintings are recognized as masterpieces of Tibetan mural art, both for their sacred iconography and for their refined aesthetic and technical execution.
The Sixteen Buddha Halls: Symmetry and Spiritual Power
Known as Lhakhang Dondrub, the complex of 16 Buddha chapels forms a symmetrical layout:
• Three chapels in the front, three in the back, five on the left, and five on the right, all connected by stone walls.
• Though each shrine is relatively independent, the layout maintains architectural unity, with all entrances facing toward the central Assembly Hall—reinforcing the spiritual focus of the monastery.
Unfortunately, most of these chapels were severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution (the “Ten-Year Calamity”), and today many stand as ruined remnants. However, restoration efforts are ongoing, and some halls are slowly returning to their former glory.
The Scripture Printing House (Barkhang): A Forgotten Scholarly Center
Located to the right of the Assembly Hall, the Barkhang (Printing House) covers 120.75 square meters (11.5m x 10.5m). Historically, this was a three-story structure:
• Ground Floor: Served as a granary for food storage.
• Middle Floor: Functioned as the scripture printing workshop and a repository for woodblock printing plates.
• Top Floor: Housed monks’ living quarters.
Today, only fragments of the outer walls remain, yet they stand as a quiet testimony to the monastery’s once-flourishing educational and scriptural production.
The Ruins of the Former Monastic Government
Located on the western side of the main courtyard, the remains of the former monastic government complex (Tsongzhung Ruins) once served as the administrative center of Puntsokling Monastery. The complex covers approximately 1,500 square meters, and its structures included:
- Administrative offices
- Grain and ration storage halls
- Dormitories for officials and monks
Today, most of the buildings have fallen into ruin, with only fragmentary walls and outlines remaining. Scattered throughout the compound are the ruins of dozens of monk residences, echoing the grandeur of the monastery’s historic past.
Mountain Architecture: Sacred Shrines Above the Clouds
The mountainside structures form one of the most majestic and spiritually powerful parts of Puntsokling Monastery. At the summit of Chokangze Mountain, the largest building is the Tubten Kyabgön Lhakhang—also known as the Avalokiteshvara Hall, or the Chenrezig Shrine.
Tubten Kyabgön Lhakhang (观音殿): Shrine of Compassion
- Location: On the mountain peak southwest of the Assembly Hall
- Orientation: Faces northeast
- Architecture: The building ingeniously uses the natural slope of the mountain to support its five-story design:
- First and second floors: Built into the hillside; primarily used as storage rooms and monk residences
- Third floor: The main shrine, covering 152.44 square meters (14.8m x 10.3m), with a ceiling height of 5 meters
Inside the third-floor shrine originally stood a giant statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), said to contain the sacred relic bones (Dharmakaya remains) of Tāranātha, the monastery’s founder. The walls are decorated with towering deity murals, including a 4-meter-high Vajrasattva (Chakrasamvara) and other tantric deities.
The fourth and fifth floors are designed as ringed gallery halls with surrounding Buddhist murals. On either side of the shrine are additional buildings—Tāranātha’s scripture hall, residences, and even stables—highlighting the complete self-sustaining ecosystem of the monastic community.
A 3-meter-wide kora (circumambulation path) encircles the entire shrine structure. Outside this sacred walkway, stone retaining walls wind like a fortress around the mountaintop, reinforcing the dramatic and awe-inspiring presence of Puntsokling’s spiritual citadel.
Other Hilltop Shrines: Scattered Like Stars
Surrounding Tubten Kyabgön Lhakhang, several smaller but significant chapels dot the ridgeline. These include:
- Jigjé Lhakhang (Yamantaka Chapel)
- Lhakhang for the Sixteen Arhats
- Potala Lhakhang (symbolizing Avalokiteshvara’s pure realm)
- Pari Lhakhang
- Drolma Lhakhang
- Lama Lhakhang
- Zhashe Lhakhang
These seven small temples are arranged across the mountaintop like constellations around the moon, creating a spiritually elevated environment and adding to the monastery’s dramatic skyline. Although many were damaged during the Cultural Revolution, ongoing restoration work is slowly bringing them back to life.
Treasures and Sacred Relics of Puntsokling Monastery
Puntsokling is not only a center of sacred architecture and murals—it also houses a wealth of rare Buddhist artifacts and relics. These include:
- Jade carvings
- Stone and wooden statues
- Gold and bronze figures
- Exquisite wood sculptures
Among the monastery’s most precious relics, revered as the “Four Great Treasures of Puntsokling”, are:
- The knotted walking stick of Dubowa Sherab Gyaltsen (堆波瓦·喜饶坚赞):
A 1-meter-long cane used by the great teacher. - Tāranātha’s staff:
A gift from the Mongols, carved with Tibetan and Mongolian inscriptions. The handle features:- A dragon head at the top
- A carving of Milarepa (1040–1123) in meditation
- A coiled dragon with fangs below
- Conch shell motifs and exquisite craftsmanship throughout
- Tāranātha’s ritual cymbals:
Said to emit a sound so profound that anyone who hears it may attain liberation from suffering. - A pair of mystical gemstones:
- One white and egg-shaped, with naturally formed Om Ah Hung syllables
- One almond-shaped, marked by a striking natural white stripe
- According to tradition, these gems were gifts from the Dragon King of Namtso Lake to Tāranātha’s protector deity, Gönpo Zhashi
Rituals and Present-Day Monastic Life
Though many structures were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, Puntsokling Monastery has been extensively restored in recent years. Today, over 50 monks reside here, maintaining the spiritual traditions of the past.
The monastery celebrates two major annual events:
- Tārā Worship Ceremony on the 8th day of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar
- Cham Dance Festival on the 27th day of the 12th month, featuring masked dances, ritual offerings, and vibrant public participation
These occasions attract pilgrims, locals, and spiritual tourists, turning the sacred site into a lively center of faith and cultural heritage