Samding Monastery

Samding Monastery is located on the top of a precipitous mountain in the southwest of Yamdrok Lake. It is an ancient monastery of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism which has a history of more than 300 years.

It is recorded that Samding Monastery was built in early 15th century. It was the seat of Dorje Pakmo – the only female incarnation in Tibet. She is the highest female incarnation in Tibet and the third highest ranking person only after Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama. The reincarnation of Dorje Pakmo has succeeded to the 12th generation.

Samding Monastery – Architecture

Just as Potala Palace, Samding Monastery is formed of the white palace and the red palace.

At first, Samding Monastery was only a small monastery; the second Dorje Pakmo expanded Samding Monastery with the help of local officials. The Fifth Dorje Pakmo repaired and expanded the assembly halls in the monastery and also constructed new statues of Buddhas and pagodas.

The bodies of the Gorje Pakmo in the past ages were enshrined in Samding Monastery. There were about 200 Buddhism followers (both monks and nuns) in Samding Monastery at its heyday.

Samding Monastery – Main Monastery of Shangpa Gelug Sect

Samding Monastery is noted as an important and main monastery of Shangpa Gelug Sect. The bodies of the Gorje Pakmo in the past ages are still be enshrined in the monastery. A large quantity of Gelug Sect followers would come to Samding Monastery for pilgrimage.

Samding Monastery is under the charge of the highest female incarnation in Tibet - Gorje Pakmo. Though the Twelfth Gorje Pakmo doesn't live in Samding Monastery, she is also in charge of the monastery and she is also highly respected by the followers of Gelug Sect.