Chim-puk Hermitage

Chim-puk Scenic Area is located in Zhanang County, Shannan. It is about 40 kilometers away from Tsedang which is the political, economic and cultural center of Shannan Prefecture. It is famous hermitage of Tibetan Buddhism.

Chim-puk Hermitage – Brief Introduction

Chim-puk Hermitage is located on the mountainside of Narui Mountain, 15 kilometers away from northeast of Samye Monastery. It is at the altitude of 4300 meters. The "Chim" refers to the Chim Family and "puk" means upper side of valley. The valley where Chim-puk is located in is in the shape of "n". The valley is surrounded on three sides of mountain. On the mountain, there are murmuring brooks, flourishing tress and grass and various birds. There, you will have different feelings of Tibet. Since Padmasambhava, Trison Detsen, Pairuozhana and other celebrities in Tubo Period ever practiced there, adding the environment is very quiet and elegant, many famous monks and masters ever practiced there. Consequently, the Chim-puk Hermitage is as famous as Samye Monastery. People also think that it is equal to you never went to Samye Monastery if you did not visit the Chim-puk Hermitage. According to legends, there are 108 practice caves, 108 platforms of celestial burial and 108 springs. Now, the Chim-puk Hermitage has become one of attractive resort in the hearts of pilgrims and travelers.

Chim-puk Hermitage – History

Except for beautiful scenery, there is a large amount of historical relics treasured in Chim-puk Hermitage, such as the 108 caves where Padmasambhava, Trison Detsen, Pairuozhana and other celebrities in Tubo Period and some pious believers ever practiced in. Due to the long history, most caves have been buried or destroyed. The existent is about 40 caves.

At Chim-puk Hermitage, there is a large amount of Cliffside images which were carved by Longqinrao Jiangba (1308 – 1363) who was famous Lama of Nyingma Sect in early of 14th century. The soul tower of Longqinral Jiangba is the stele which was set up by building the pagoda. These precious historical and cultural relics are well protected until now.

Chim-puk Hermitage is not only with rich historical and cultural relics on the ground, but also with a large amount of cultural relics under ground. It is recorded in Record of Tibetan King that "Padmasambhava ever translated many practice ways in the Secret Vajra sequel, put these works in the indestructible small suitcase and sealed them, and wish the right person can find them." The general term of these buried scriptures is "concealed scripture". In the past, there are many historical figures ever took out the "concealed scripture" there.