Difference between revisions of "Samye Monastery"
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[[Image:A grand view of Samye.jpg|thumb|right|280px|The main building of the Samye Monastery]] | [[Image:A grand view of Samye.jpg|thumb|right|280px|The main building of the Samye Monastery]] | ||
[[Image:Entering the impressive Samye Monastery through its protective wall.jpg|thumb|right|280px|The Protective wall of Samye]] | [[Image:Entering the impressive Samye Monastery through its protective wall.jpg|thumb|right|280px|The Protective wall of Samye]] | ||
| − | The Samye | + | ::See also: [[Kagyu Samyé Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre]] |
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| + | The [[Samye monastery]] or [[Samye Gompa]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[བསམ་ཡས་]]}}, [[Wylie]]: [[bsam yas]], ZYPY: [[Samyä]]; {{Wiki|Chinese}}:[[桑耶寺]]) is the [[first Buddhist Monastery built In Tibet]], was most probably first [[constructed]] between 775 and 779 CE under the {{Wiki|patronage}} of [[King Trisong Detsen]](The [[Name]] means ‘[[inconceivable]]’) of [[Tibet]] who sought to revitalize [[Buddhism]], which had declined since its introduction by [[King]] [[Songtsän Gampo]] in the 7th century. | ||
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| + | The [[Monastery]] is located in [[Dranang]], {{Wiki|Shannan Prefecture}}. | ||
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| + | It was supposedly modeled on the design of [[Odantapuri Monastery]] in what is now {{Wiki|Bihar}}, [[India]]. | ||
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| + | The 18th century [[Puning Temple]] of [[Chengde]], [[Hebei]], [[China]] was modeled after the [[Samye Gompa]]. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
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| − | The | + | [[Samye monastery]] was badly damaged during the {{Wiki|Cultural Revolution}} and renovated beginning in the 1980s. |
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| + | Today it is still an active [[Monastery]] and important [[Pilgrimage]] destination. | ||
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| + | According to [[tradition]], the [[Indian]] [[Monk]] [[Shantarakshita]] made the first attempt [[to construct]] the [[Monastery]] while promoting his [[Sutra]]-centric version of [[Buddhism]]. | ||
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| + | Finding the [[Samye]] site [[auspicious]] he set about [[to build]] a {{Wiki|structure}} there. | ||
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| + | However, the building would always collapse after reaching a certain stage. | ||
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| + | Terrified, the construction workers believed that there was a {{Wiki|demon}} or obstructive [[thoughtform]] in a nearby [[River]] making trouble. | ||
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| + | However, when [[Shantarakshita's]] contemporary [[Padmasambhava]] arrived from northern [[India]], he was able to subdue the energetic problems obstructing the building of [[Samye]]. | ||
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| + | According to The [[Fifth Dalai Lama]] (Pearlman, 2002: p.18), [[Padmasambhava]] performed the [[Vajrakilaya]] [[Dance]] and enacted the [[rite]] of '[[thread cross]]' or [[Namkha]] to assist [[King]] [[Trisong Deutsen]] and [[Shantarakshita]] clear away [[obscurations]] and [[hindrances]] in the building of [[Samye]]: | ||
| + | [[File:Guru Rinpoche - Padmasambhava statue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Guru [[Padmasambhava]])] | ||
| + | : | ||
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| + | "The great [[religious]] [[master]] [[Padmasambhava]] performed this [[dance]] in Order to prepare the ground for the [[Samye monastery]] and to pacify the [[malice]] of the [[Lha]] [[local mountain god]], [[spirits]]) and [[srin]] [[malevolent Spirits]] in Order to create the most {{Wiki|perfect}} [[conditions]]." | ||
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| + | He went on to say that after [[Padmasambhava]] [[consecrated]] the ground he erected a [[thread-cross]] - a web colored thread woven around two sticks - to catch [[Evil]]. | ||
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| + | Then the purifying [[energy]] of his [[dance]] forced the [[malevolent Spirits]] into a {{Wiki|skull}} mounted on top of a pyramid of dough. | ||
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| + | His [[tantric]] [[dance]] cleared away all the {{Wiki|obstacles}}, enabling the [[Monastery]] to be built in 767. | ||
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| + | The [[dance]] was memorialized by the construction of [[Vajrakilaya]] [[Stupas]] - monuments honoring the [[Ritual]] [[kilya]] ([[purba]]) daggers - at the [[cardinal points]] of the [[Monastery]], where they would prevent {{Wiki|demonic}} forces from entering the [[sacred]] grounds. | ||
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| + | The above mentioned quotation makes reference to the relationship of the [[Vajrakilaya]]/[[Kila|Phurba]] to the [[Stupa]]; and mentions [[Torma]] and [[namkha]]. | ||
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| + | Moreover, the building of [[Samye]] marked the foundation of the original school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], the [[Nyingma]]. | ||
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| + | This also helps explain how [[Padmasambhava's]] [[Tantra|tantric]]-centric version of [[Buddhism]] gained ascendence over the [[Sutra]]-based [[teaching]] of [[Shantarakshita]]. | ||
Pearlman (2002: p.94) succinctly charts the origin of the institution of the [[Nechung Oracle]]: | Pearlman (2002: p.94) succinctly charts the origin of the institution of the [[Nechung Oracle]]: | ||
| − | + | :When [[Padmasambhava]] [[consecrated]] [[Samye monastery]] with the [[Vajrakilaya]] [[dance]], he tamed the local [[Spirit]] [[protector]], [[Pehar Gyalpo]], and [[bound]] him by oath to become the head of the entire {{Wiki|hierarchy}} of [[Buddhist]] protective [[Spirits]]. | |
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| + | [[Pehar]], later known as [[Dorje Drakden]], became the [[principal]] [[protector]] of the [[Dalai Lamas]], [[manifesting]] through the [[Nechung Oracle]]. | ||
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| + | The original buildings have long disappeared. | ||
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| + | They have been badly damaged several Times - by civil [[War]] in the 11th century, fires in the mid 17th century and in 1826, an {{Wiki|earthquake}} in 1816, and in the 20th century, particularly during the {{Wiki|Cultural Revolution}}, but as late as the late 1980s pigs and other farm [[Animals]] were allowed to wander through the [[sacred]] buildings. | ||
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| + | Each [[Time]] it has been rebuilt, and today, largely due to the efforts of the [[10th Panchen Lama]] from 1986 onwards, it is again an active [[Monastery]] and important [[Pilgrimage]] and tourist destination. | ||
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| + | ==[[Debate]] at [[Samye]] or the [[Council]] of [[Lhasa]]== | ||
| + | ''See also: [[Council]] of [[Lhasa]]<br/> | ||
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| + | Adamek (2007: p.288) provides a circa five year range when [[Moheyan]] (of the [[East Mountain Teachings]]) and [[Kamalashila]] may have [[debated]] at [[Samye]] [[In Tibet]]: | ||
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| + | :As is well known, the [[Fate of Chan]] [[East Mountain Teachings]] [[In Tibet]] was said to have been decided in a [[debate]] at the [[Samye monastery]] near [[Lhasa]] in c.792-797. | ||
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| + | Broughton (1983: p.9) identifies the {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Tibetan]] nomenclature of [[Mohoyen's]] teachings and identifies them principally with the [[East Mountain Teachings]]: | ||
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| + | :[[Mo-ho-yen's]] [[teaching]] [[In Tibet]] as the famed proponent of the all-at-once gate can be summarized as "[[gazing-at-Mind]]" ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[k'an-hsin]]... = [[Tibetan]]: [[sems La bltas]]) | ||
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| + | and "no examining" ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[pu-kuan]]... = [[Tibetan]]: [[myi rtog pa]]) or "[[no-Thought no-examining]]" ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[pu-ssu pu-kuan]]... = [[Tibetan]]: [[myi bsam myi rtog]]). "[[Gazing-at-Mind]]" is an original [[Northern]] (or [[East Mountain Dharma Gate]]) [[teaching]]. | ||
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| + | As will become clear, [[Poa-t'ang]] and the [[Northern Ch'an]] dovetail in the [[Tibetan]] sources. | ||
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| + | [[Mo-ho-yen's]] [[teaching]] seems typical of late [[Northern Ch'an]]. | ||
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| + | [[Mo-ho-yen]] arrived on the central [[Tibetan]] scene somewhat late in comparison to the [[Ch'an]] [[transmissions]] from [[Szechwan]]. | ||
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| − | + | ==The [[Monastery]]== | |
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| − | + | [[Samye monastery]] is laid out on the shape of a giant [[Mandala]], with the main [[temple]] representing the legendary [[Mount Meru]] in the centre. | |
| − | + | Other buildings stand at the corners and [[cardinal points]] of the main [[temple]], representing continents and other {{Wiki|features}} of [[tantric]] [[Buddhist Cosmology]]. | |
| − | + | The main [[temple]] is full of [[Tibetan Religious Art]] in both mural and statue [[Form]], as well as some important [[Relics]]. | |
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| − | + | Many [[Tibetan Buddhists]] come on [[Pilgrimage]] to [[Samye]], some taking weeks to make the journey. | |
| − | + | {{W}} | |
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| + | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Samye]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Buddhist monasteries in Tibet]] | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
Latest revision as of 23:31, 4 April 2016
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The Samye monastery or Samye Gompa (Tibetan: བསམ་ཡས་, Wylie: bsam yas, ZYPY: Samyä; Chinese:桑耶寺) is the first Buddhist Monastery built In Tibet, was most probably first constructed between 775 and 779 CE under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen(The Name means ‘inconceivable’) of Tibet who sought to revitalize Buddhism, which had declined since its introduction by King Songtsän Gampo in the 7th century.
The Monastery is located in Dranang, Shannan Prefecture.
It was supposedly modeled on the design of Odantapuri Monastery in what is now Bihar, India.
The 18th century Puning Temple of Chengde, Hebei, China was modeled after the Samye Gompa.
History
Samye monastery was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution and renovated beginning in the 1980s.
Today it is still an active Monastery and important Pilgrimage destination.
According to tradition, the Indian Monk Shantarakshita made the first attempt to construct the Monastery while promoting his Sutra-centric version of Buddhism.
Finding the Samye site auspicious he set about to build a structure there.
However, the building would always collapse after reaching a certain stage.
Terrified, the construction workers believed that there was a demon or obstructive thoughtform in a nearby River making trouble.
However, when Shantarakshita's contemporary Padmasambhava arrived from northern India, he was able to subdue the energetic problems obstructing the building of Samye.
According to The Fifth Dalai Lama (Pearlman, 2002: p.18), Padmasambhava performed the Vajrakilaya Dance and enacted the rite of 'thread cross' or Namkha to assist King Trisong Deutsen and Shantarakshita clear away obscurations and hindrances in the building of Samye: [[File:Guru Rinpoche - Padmasambhava statue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Guru Padmasambhava)]
"The great religious master Padmasambhava performed this dance in Order to prepare the ground for the Samye monastery and to pacify the malice of the Lha local mountain god, spirits) and srin malevolent Spirits in Order to create the most perfect conditions."
He went on to say that after Padmasambhava consecrated the ground he erected a thread-cross - a web colored thread woven around two sticks - to catch Evil.
Then the purifying energy of his dance forced the malevolent Spirits into a skull mounted on top of a pyramid of dough.
His tantric dance cleared away all the obstacles, enabling the Monastery to be built in 767.
The dance was memorialized by the construction of Vajrakilaya Stupas - monuments honoring the Ritual kilya (purba) daggers - at the cardinal points of the Monastery, where they would prevent demonic forces from entering the sacred grounds.
The above mentioned quotation makes reference to the relationship of the Vajrakilaya/Phurba to the Stupa; and mentions Torma and namkha.
Moreover, the building of Samye marked the foundation of the original school of Tibetan Buddhism, the Nyingma.
This also helps explain how Padmasambhava's tantric-centric version of Buddhism gained ascendence over the Sutra-based teaching of Shantarakshita.
Pearlman (2002: p.94) succinctly charts the origin of the institution of the Nechung Oracle:
- When Padmasambhava consecrated Samye monastery with the Vajrakilaya dance, he tamed the local Spirit protector, Pehar Gyalpo, and bound him by oath to become the head of the entire hierarchy of Buddhist protective Spirits.
Pehar, later known as Dorje Drakden, became the principal protector of the Dalai Lamas, manifesting through the Nechung Oracle.
The original buildings have long disappeared.
They have been badly damaged several Times - by civil War in the 11th century, fires in the mid 17th century and in 1826, an earthquake in 1816, and in the 20th century, particularly during the Cultural Revolution, but as late as the late 1980s pigs and other farm Animals were allowed to wander through the sacred buildings.
Each Time it has been rebuilt, and today, largely due to the efforts of the 10th Panchen Lama from 1986 onwards, it is again an active Monastery and important Pilgrimage and tourist destination.
Debate at Samye or the Council of Lhasa
Adamek (2007: p.288) provides a circa five year range when Moheyan (of the East Mountain Teachings) and Kamalashila may have debated at Samye In Tibet:
- As is well known, the Fate of Chan East Mountain Teachings In Tibet was said to have been decided in a debate at the Samye monastery near Lhasa in c.792-797.
Broughton (1983: p.9) identifies the Chinese and Tibetan nomenclature of Mohoyen's teachings and identifies them principally with the East Mountain Teachings:
- Mo-ho-yen's teaching In Tibet as the famed proponent of the all-at-once gate can be summarized as "gazing-at-Mind" (Chinese: k'an-hsin... = Tibetan: sems La bltas)
and "no examining" (Chinese: pu-kuan... = Tibetan: myi rtog pa) or "no-Thought no-examining" (Chinese: pu-ssu pu-kuan... = Tibetan: myi bsam myi rtog). "Gazing-at-Mind" is an original Northern (or East Mountain Dharma Gate) teaching.
As will become clear, Poa-t'ang and the Northern Ch'an dovetail in the Tibetan sources.
Mo-ho-yen's teaching seems typical of late Northern Ch'an.
Mo-ho-yen arrived on the central Tibetan scene somewhat late in comparison to the Ch'an transmissions from Szechwan.
The Monastery
Samye monastery is laid out on the shape of a giant Mandala, with the main temple representing the legendary Mount Meru in the centre.
Other buildings stand at the corners and cardinal points of the main temple, representing continents and other features of tantric Buddhist Cosmology.
The main temple is full of Tibetan Religious Art in both mural and statue Form, as well as some important Relics.
Many Tibetan Buddhists come on Pilgrimage to Samye, some taking weeks to make the journey.
