Garma Monastery

Garma Monastery is located at the foot of Baixishan Mountain in Qamdo Prefecture. It was built by an eminent follower of Garma Gagyu Sect - Duisong Qenba in 1185. It was the first monastery of Garma Gagyu Sect. It has far-reaching influence in history. It is noted for its special architectural style and rich cultural relics, and it has been one of the most famous ancient monasteries in Kam Area (an area in traditional Tibetan culture).

Garma Monastery - Cultural Relics

There are three stupas in Garma Monastery. The eminent incarnations were enshrined in these stupas. There were more than 1000 monks and followers of Garma Gagyu Sect in Garma Monastery at its heyday.

Garma Monastery collected a large quantity of precious cultural relics, including the steles endowed by emperors in Chinese Ming Dynasty. Besides, there are also porcelains and more than 100 gilding bronze statues endowed by the emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties. The Tibetan scriptures Kangyur and Bstanhgyur are also precious treasures in Garma Monastery.

Garma Monastery developed the Living Buddha reincarnation system. This system was widely spread in Tibet and it has been used to this day.

Garma Monastery - Architecture

Garma Monastery is of a special architectural style which integrated the intelligence of Tibetan, Han, Naxi and some other nationalities.

Garna Monastery is mainly composed of the Coqen Hall, residence of the living Buddha, chapels, assembly halls and stupas. The three-storey Coqen Hall covers an area of 2240 square meters and was constructed with soil and stones. The assembly halls and the front corridor are Tibetan-style flattop constructions.

The top of Garma Monastery is covered with blue glazed tiles and decorated with overhanging eaves. The top of Coqen Hall is supported by 12 giant pillars and the hall enjoys enough sunshine. The murals in the monastery mainly related to Sakyamuni.