Tongka Monastery

Tongka Monastery - Brief Introduction

Basu Tongka monastery is located at the site of township government of Tongka Country in Ying County, Basu. It is about 250 kilometers away from the county town. Presently there is highway leading to Tongka Monastery. Hence, it is very convenient to pay a visit to the Tongka Monastery in your Tibet tour.

The Tongka Monastery was built by Luoba Jiangchushengge in 1473. It was one of the monasteries which belonged to Gongdelin Larang (one of the four Tibetan Government Regencies).

Tongka Monastery - History

The full name of Tongka Monastery is "Xuenu Baxue Sangzhulin Monastery". It is also named Basu Monastery. It was built by the Lamas Jiange who was the disciple of master Tsongkapa. The Tongka Monastery is near to "Chua". In 1473, the Tongka Monastery was moved to the "Chula" Mountain Pass by Baijue Sangbu. Then, it renamed to "Sangzhu Derdanlin Monastery". Since from 15th century, the Tongka Monastery was managed by Darcha Living Buddhas. In the history of Tongka Monastery, it was also continuously enlarged. The main buildings of Tongka Monastery included Cuoqin Hall (area is 36 cylinders), Darjiankang (area is 6 cylinders), Najiukang (area is 15 cylinders), MenLakhang (area is 24 cylinders), Zhacang, etc. The Buddha statues which are enshrined in Tongka Monastery are the statue of Sakyamuni with jade face and golden body which was kept down in the activity of Langdarma destroying Buddhism and the clay sculpture of Qiangba Buddha. Now, there are 350 monks and nuns in the Tongka Monastery.

Tongka Monastery – Features

The Tongka Monastery which was built in 1473 is one of the monasteries of Gongdelin. It ever made great contribution to the unification of China, unity of Tibetan and Han Nationality and the communication of Han and Tibetan culture. After the Luosang Badengjiacun who was the seventh Living Buddha of Tongka Monastery became the Kampo of Yonghegong Lamasery, the communication of religious culture between Tibet and hinterland became more frequent. Until now, the Tongka Monastery treasures a large amount of Buddha statues, embroideries, silk products, brocade products, etc.

The cymbals with patterns of Two Dragons Playing with Pearl which was made in the Yongle Period and Xuande Period of Ming Dynasty and the imperial decree are precious historical relics.

There are three soul pagodas of the seventh Darcha Living Buddha, the Eleventh Living Buddha and other Darcha Living Buddha enshrined in the main hall of Tongka Monastery. At the place, about 500 meters away from Tongka Monastery, there is a Zepei Gongqie Pagoda which is in quadrangle shape. The pagoda is 36 meters wide and 25 meters high. There are six floors on the appearance of the pagoda. In fact, there are only three floors' scripture halls in the pagoda. You can go around the pagoda to enjoy it in your Tibet tour. On each floor of the pagoda, there are large and small Buddha statues. This pagoda is very grand and special molded. It is one of the grandest and highest pagodas in Qamdo Prefecture.