Difference between revisions of "Tawang Monastery"
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| − | Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest | + | Tawang [[Monastery]] in {{Wiki|Arunachal Pradesh}} is the largest [[Monastery]] in [[India]]. It was founded near the small town of the same [[Name]] in the northwestern part of {{Wiki|Arunachal Pradesh}} state of [[India]] by Merak [[Lama]] Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681 in accordance with the wishes of the [[5th Dalai Lama]]. The [[Monastery]] belongs to the [[Gelugpa school]] and has a [[religious]] association with [[Drepung Monastery]] in {{Wiki|Lhasa}}, which continued during the period of {{Wiki|British}} rule. It is very close to the [[Tibetan]] border, in the valley of the Tawang-chu which flows down from [[Tibet]]. The [[Monastery]] is three stories high and occupies an area of 140 m². It is enclosed by a 610 m long compound wall. Within the complex there are 65 residential buildings and 10 other structures. |
| − | Tawang Monastery is one of the largest | + | Tawang [[Monastery]] is one of the largest [[Monasteries]] of [[Mahayana]] sect in {{Wiki|Asia}}. The [[Monastery]] is also known in [[Tibetan]] as Galden Namgey Lhatse, which translates to '[[celestial]] [[paradise]] in a clear night.' The library of the [[Monastery]] has valuable old [[scriptures]], mainly [[Kanjur]] and [[Tanjur]], numbering 850 bundles. |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The | + | The [[Monastery]] is at an elevation of about 3,300 metres (10,000 ft) in the district {{Wiki|capital}}, Tawang Town. It has a capacity of about 700 [[Monks]] and presently is home to more than 450 [[lamas]]. It is said to be one of the biggest [[Buddhist]] [[Monasteries]] in the [[World]] outside of {{Wiki|Lhasa}}, [[Tibet]]. |
| − | It also houses the three-storied Parkhang library: a collection of 400-year-old Kangyur scriptures in addition to many other invaluable manuscripts. Other large collections include the Sutras, Tangym, Sungbhum, old | + | It also houses the three-storied [[Parkhang]] library: a collection of 400-year-old [[Kangyur]] [[scriptures]] in addition to many other invaluable manuscripts. Other large [[collections]] include the [[Sutras]], Tangym, Sungbhum, old [[Books]] and other manuscripts, both handwritten and printed, many of them in {{Wiki|gold}}. Dances and ceremonial {{Wiki|celebrations}} are held in the courtyard, the most important of which is held on the night of [[Buddha]] Poornima. |
| − | It also houses a small | + | It also houses a small [[Printing]] press. The most fascinating part is the Dukhang or Assembly Hall — a three-storied building housing the [[temple]] and the 8.3 m (27 ft) high Golden [[Buddha]]. To the left of the [[Altar]] on the northern wall is a silver casket wrapped in silk containing the Thankas of [[Goddess]] [[Dri]] [[Devi]] ([[Palden Lhamo]]), the principal [[Deity]] of the [[Monastery]]. It was given to Merak [[Lama]] by the [[5th Dalai Lama]] and has come to be known as the Ja-Droi-Ma, which means it has the warmth of a {{Wiki|bird}}, [[symbolizing]] that the [[Thanka]] is of a living type. |
| − | There is also a Center for Buddhist Cultural Studies where young | + | There is also a Center for [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|Cultural}} Studies where young [[Monks]] are taught arithmetic, {{Wiki|English}} and {{Wiki|Hindi}} as well as their [[traditional]] [[monastic]] [[Education]]. |
| − | The Tawang Monastery is three stories high and houses 65 residential buildings in addition to the library. It controls 17 gompas and a few nunneries in the region. It was renovated in 1997 by the 14th Dalai Lama — with renovation meaning that the traditionally built structure was torn down and rebuilt with concrete. | + | The Tawang [[Monastery]] is three stories high and houses 65 residential buildings in addition to the library. It controls 17 [[gompas]] and a few nunneries in the region. It was renovated in 1997 by the [[14th Dalai Lama]] — with renovation [[meaning]] that the [[traditionally]] built structure was torn down and rebuilt with concrete. |
| − | The present Gyalsey Rinpochey, a famous incarnation of the Loseling College of Drepung Monastery and incarnate head of Tawang, lives and teaches at Tawang. It is a designated 'Manuscript Conservation Centre' (MCC) under the National Mission for Manuscripts established in 2003. | + | The present Gyalsey Rinpochey, a famous [[incarnation]] of the [[Loseling]] College of [[Drepung Monastery]] and [[incarnate]] {{Wiki|head}} of Tawang, [[lives]] and teaches at Tawang. It is a designated '{{Wiki|Manuscript}} Conservation Centre' (MCC) under the National [[Mission]] for Manuscripts established in 2003. |
| − | == History == | + | == {{Wiki|History}} == |
| − | Tawang Monastery was founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is the largest Buddhist | + | Tawang [[Monastery]] was founded by the Mera [[Lama]] Lodre Gyasto in accordance with the wishes of the [[5th Dalai Lama]], Nagwang [[Lobsang Gyatso]]. It belongs to the [[Gelugpa]] sect and is the largest [[Buddhist]] [[Monastery]] in [[India]]. |
| − | The | + | The [[Name]] Tawang ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|རྟ་དབང་}}, Wylie: Rta-dbang) means [[Horse]] Chosen. Its [[Name]] (ta = [[Horse]], and wang = chosen) is the [[subject]] of an [[Interesting]] legend. As the story goes, the site of the [[Monastery]] was chosen by the [[Horse]] of Merag [[Lama]] who had been unable to decide on a site to establish the [[Monastery]]. One day he was praying in {{Wiki|cave}}, seeking [[divine]] guidance. When he came out after the [[Prayers]], he found his [[Horse]] missing. On searching, the [[Horse]] was located [[standing]] quietly on a hilltop. Considering this as a sign of [[divine]] [[Blessing]], he decided to construct the [[Monastery]] at the very spot. The [[Monastery]] was built with the help of volunteers from the neighboring villages. It is also known by a [[Tibetan]] [[Name]], Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means '[[celestial]] [[paradise]] in a clear night'. |
| − | Most of the people are Monpa, Takpa and Tibetans, and are Tibetan Buddhist by | + | Most of the [[people]] are Monpa, Takpa and [[Tibetans]], and are [[Tibetan Buddhist]] by [[Religion]]. Pre-[[Buddhist]] [[Bön]] and Shamanist [[influence]] is also evident. Festivals that include [[Losar]], Choskar, and Torgya are held annually. The Dungyur is celebrated in every three years of the Torgya. Both the Dungyur and Torgya festivals are celebrated at Tawang [[Monastery]] with [[traditional]] gaiety and [[enthusiasm]]. |
| − | The 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born at the nearby Urgelling Monastery, 5 km from the town of Tawang. | + | The [[6th Dalai Lama]], [[Tsangyang Gyatso]], was born at the nearby [[Urgelling Monastery]], 5 km from the town of Tawang. |
| − | In 1706, Lhazang Khan with the support of the Chinese Kang Xi Emperor deposed the 6th Dalai Lama, who died soon after, perhaps killed by Lhazang Khan. During Lhazang Khan's rule | + | In 1706, Lhazang {{Wiki|Khan}} with the support of the {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|Kang Xi}} [[Emperor]] deposed the [[6th Dalai Lama]], who [[died]] soon after, perhaps killed by Lhazang {{Wiki|Khan}}. During Lhazang Khan's rule [[In Tibet]], he sent an {{Wiki|army}} in 1714 to invade [[Bhutan]] from Tawang. In the campaign, they destroyed the [[Dalai Lama]]'s restored and enlarged [[Monastery]] at Urgelling in an attempt to obliterate his memorials. |
| − | When the border known as the McMahon Line was drawn in 1914, Tibet gave up several hundred square miles of its territory, including the whole of the Tawang region and the | + | When the border known as the McMahon Line was drawn in 1914, [[Tibet]] gave up several hundred square {{Wiki|miles}} of its territory, including the whole of the Tawang region and the [[Monastery]], to the {{Wiki|British}} (see Simla Accord (1914)). Tawang officials used to travel almost to the plains of {{Wiki|Assam}} to collect [[monastic]] contributions. The {{Wiki|independence}} of [[India]] from Britain in 1947 separated Tawang from [[Tibet]]. |
| − | When the 14th Dalai Lama fled from Tibet, following the failure of a rebellion against the Chinese central government, he crossed into India on 30 March 1959 and spent some days resting at Tawang Monastery before reaching Tezpur in Assam on 18 April 1959. Since then he has visited Tawang many | + | When the [[14th Dalai Lama]] fled from [[Tibet]], following the failure of a rebellion against the {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|central}} government, he crossed into [[India]] on 30 March 1959 and spent some days resting at Tawang [[Monastery]] before reaching Tezpur in {{Wiki|Assam}} on 18 April 1959. Since then he has visited Tawang many Times. |
| − | Chinese troops briefly occupied it during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, destroying portions of the | + | {{Wiki|Chinese}} troops briefly occupied it during the 1962 Sino-Indian [[War]], destroying portions of the [[Monastery]]. For six months it was controlled by {{Wiki|Chinese}} troops. After the [[Retreat]] of the {{Wiki|Chinese}} troops, Tawang came under [[Indian]] control once again. Elections have taken place regularly and democratic state legislature elected peacefully. |
| − | In recent years, China has occasionally voiced its claims on Tawang and Chinese troop incursions continue to occur frequently. India has rebutted these claims by the Chinese government and the Indian prime minister has stated categorically that Tawang is an integral part of India. He repeated this to the Chinese prime minister when the two met in Thailand in October 2009. | + | In recent years, [[China]] has occasionally voiced its claims on Tawang and {{Wiki|Chinese}} troop incursions continue to occur frequently. [[India]] has rebutted these claims by the {{Wiki|Chinese}} government and the [[Indian]] prime minister has stated categorically that Tawang is an integral part of [[India]]. He repeated this to the {{Wiki|Chinese}} prime minister when the two met in [[Thailand]] in October 2009. |
| − | China staked its claim over Tawang as it had a sizable Tibetan population and was previously a part of Tibet. India has rebutted these claims by the Chinese. | + | [[China]] staked its claim over Tawang as it had a sizable [[Tibetan]] population and was previously a part of [[Tibet]]. [[India]] has rebutted these claims by the {{Wiki|Chinese}}. |
| − | China objected to the visit of the Dalai Lama to Tawang town and Tawang | + | [[China]] objected to the visit of the [[Dalai Lama]] to Tawang town and Tawang [[Monastery]] in November 2009 though the [[Dalai Lama]] had visited Tawang several Times since he left [[Tibet]] in 1959. [[India]] rejected {{Wiki|Chinese}} objection and said that the [[Dalai Lama]] was an honoured guest in [[India]] and could visit any place in [[India]]. The [[Dalai Lama]] visited Tawang on 8 November 2009. He was received and welcomed by the democratically elected chief minister of {{Wiki|Arunachal Pradesh}} and the [[people]] of {{Wiki|Arunachal Pradesh}}. The residents of Tawang were [[elated]] to have the [[Dalai Lama]] among them. They painted their houses afresh and spruced up the town which wore a festive look. |
| − | About 30,000 people, including those from neighbouring countries, Nepal and Bhutan, attended his religious discourse. | + | About 30,000 [[people]], including those from neighbouring countries, [[Nepal]] and [[Bhutan]], attended his [[religious]] {{Wiki|discourse}}. |
| − | ==Landslide risk == | + | ==Landslide [[risk]] == |
| − | In November 2010 it was reported that the | + | In November 2010 it was reported that the [[Monastery]] is threatened by possible landslide [[risk]], with The Times of [[India]] reporting "massive landslides around it". {{Wiki|Professor}} Dave Petley of Durham {{Wiki|University}} in the UK, an [[acknowledged]] landslide expert, wrote in his blog: "the northern flank of the site appears to consist of a landslide scarp ... The [[reasons]] for this are clear – the [[River]], which flows towards the {{Wiki|south}}, is eroding the toe of the slope due to the site {{Wiki|being}} on the outside of the bend. In the long term erosion at the toe will need to be prevented if the site is to be preserved." |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
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[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries]] | [[Category:Tibetan Buddhist monasteries]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
[[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | [[Category:Mahayana Monasteries]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:25, 20 September 2013
Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest Monastery in India. It was founded near the small town of the same Name in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh state of India by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681 in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama. The Monastery belongs to the Gelugpa school and has a religious association with Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, which continued during the period of British rule. It is very close to the Tibetan border, in the valley of the Tawang-chu which flows down from Tibet. The Monastery is three stories high and occupies an area of 140 m². It is enclosed by a 610 m long compound wall. Within the complex there are 65 residential buildings and 10 other structures.
Tawang Monastery is one of the largest Monasteries of Mahayana sect in Asia. The Monastery is also known in Tibetan as Galden Namgey Lhatse, which translates to 'celestial paradise in a clear night.' The library of the Monastery has valuable old scriptures, mainly Kanjur and Tanjur, numbering 850 bundles.
Description
The Monastery is at an elevation of about 3,300 metres (10,000 ft) in the district capital, Tawang Town. It has a capacity of about 700 Monks and presently is home to more than 450 lamas. It is said to be one of the biggest Buddhist Monasteries in the World outside of Lhasa, Tibet.
It also houses the three-storied Parkhang library: a collection of 400-year-old Kangyur scriptures in addition to many other invaluable manuscripts. Other large collections include the Sutras, Tangym, Sungbhum, old Books and other manuscripts, both handwritten and printed, many of them in gold. Dances and ceremonial celebrations are held in the courtyard, the most important of which is held on the night of Buddha Poornima.
It also houses a small Printing press. The most fascinating part is the Dukhang or Assembly Hall — a three-storied building housing the temple and the 8.3 m (27 ft) high Golden Buddha. To the left of the Altar on the northern wall is a silver casket wrapped in silk containing the Thankas of Goddess Dri Devi (Palden Lhamo), the principal Deity of the Monastery. It was given to Merak Lama by the 5th Dalai Lama and has come to be known as the Ja-Droi-Ma, which means it has the warmth of a bird, symbolizing that the Thanka is of a living type.
There is also a Center for Buddhist Cultural Studies where young Monks are taught arithmetic, English and Hindi as well as their traditional monastic Education.
The Tawang Monastery is three stories high and houses 65 residential buildings in addition to the library. It controls 17 gompas and a few nunneries in the region. It was renovated in 1997 by the 14th Dalai Lama — with renovation meaning that the traditionally built structure was torn down and rebuilt with concrete.
The present Gyalsey Rinpochey, a famous incarnation of the Loseling College of Drepung Monastery and incarnate head of Tawang, lives and teaches at Tawang. It is a designated 'Manuscript Conservation Centre' (MCC) under the National Mission for Manuscripts established in 2003.
History
Tawang Monastery was founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is the largest Buddhist Monastery in India.
The Name Tawang (Tibetan: རྟ་དབང་, Wylie: Rta-dbang) means Horse Chosen. Its Name (ta = Horse, and wang = chosen) is the subject of an Interesting legend. As the story goes, the site of the Monastery was chosen by the Horse of Merag Lama who had been unable to decide on a site to establish the Monastery. One day he was praying in cave, seeking divine guidance. When he came out after the Prayers, he found his Horse missing. On searching, the Horse was located standing quietly on a hilltop. Considering this as a sign of divine Blessing, he decided to construct the Monastery at the very spot. The Monastery was built with the help of volunteers from the neighboring villages. It is also known by a Tibetan Name, Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means 'celestial paradise in a clear night'.
Most of the people are Monpa, Takpa and Tibetans, and are Tibetan Buddhist by Religion. Pre-Buddhist Bön and Shamanist influence is also evident. Festivals that include Losar, Choskar, and Torgya are held annually. The Dungyur is celebrated in every three years of the Torgya. Both the Dungyur and Torgya festivals are celebrated at Tawang Monastery with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.
The 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born at the nearby Urgelling Monastery, 5 km from the town of Tawang.
In 1706, Lhazang Khan with the support of the Chinese Kang Xi Emperor deposed the 6th Dalai Lama, who died soon after, perhaps killed by Lhazang Khan. During Lhazang Khan's rule In Tibet, he sent an army in 1714 to invade Bhutan from Tawang. In the campaign, they destroyed the Dalai Lama's restored and enlarged Monastery at Urgelling in an attempt to obliterate his memorials.
When the border known as the McMahon Line was drawn in 1914, Tibet gave up several hundred square miles of its territory, including the whole of the Tawang region and the Monastery, to the British (see Simla Accord (1914)). Tawang officials used to travel almost to the plains of Assam to collect monastic contributions. The independence of India from Britain in 1947 separated Tawang from Tibet.
When the 14th Dalai Lama fled from Tibet, following the failure of a rebellion against the Chinese central government, he crossed into India on 30 March 1959 and spent some days resting at Tawang Monastery before reaching Tezpur in Assam on 18 April 1959. Since then he has visited Tawang many Times.
Chinese troops briefly occupied it during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, destroying portions of the Monastery. For six months it was controlled by Chinese troops. After the Retreat of the Chinese troops, Tawang came under Indian control once again. Elections have taken place regularly and democratic state legislature elected peacefully.
In recent years, China has occasionally voiced its claims on Tawang and Chinese troop incursions continue to occur frequently. India has rebutted these claims by the Chinese government and the Indian prime minister has stated categorically that Tawang is an integral part of India. He repeated this to the Chinese prime minister when the two met in Thailand in October 2009.
China staked its claim over Tawang as it had a sizable Tibetan population and was previously a part of Tibet. India has rebutted these claims by the Chinese.
China objected to the visit of the Dalai Lama to Tawang town and Tawang Monastery in November 2009 though the Dalai Lama had visited Tawang several Times since he left Tibet in 1959. India rejected Chinese objection and said that the Dalai Lama was an honoured guest in India and could visit any place in India. The Dalai Lama visited Tawang on 8 November 2009. He was received and welcomed by the democratically elected chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh and the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The residents of Tawang were elated to have the Dalai Lama among them. They painted their houses afresh and spruced up the town which wore a festive look.
About 30,000 people, including those from neighbouring countries, Nepal and Bhutan, attended his religious discourse.
Landslide risk
In November 2010 it was reported that the Monastery is threatened by possible landslide risk, with The Times of India reporting "massive landslides around it". Professor Dave Petley of Durham University in the UK, an acknowledged landslide expert, wrote in his blog: "the northern flank of the site appears to consist of a landslide scarp ... The reasons for this are clear – the River, which flows towards the south, is eroding the toe of the slope due to the site being on the outside of the bend. In the long term erosion at the toe will need to be prevented if the site is to be preserved."
