Trandruk Monastery

Trandruk Monastery is located at the foot of Gongpori Mountain, on the east bank of Yarlung River in Shannan Prefecture. It is about 2 kilometers away from the county seat of Nedong County. It was listed as a cultural relic under state key protection in 1961.

Trandruk Monastery was a monastery of Gelug Sect built during the regime of Songtsen Gampo. It is said that Princess Wencheng of Chinese Tang Dynasty once cultivated herself here. There is a famous bronze bell which is widely known in all through Tibet in Trandruk Monastery.

Trandruk Monastery is one of the first series of monasteries built in Tubo Kingdom Period. It is one of the political and economic centers of Shannan Prefecture since ancient times. It is also of amazing natural landscapes with dense forests.

Trandruk Monastery – Name Origin

Trandruk means eagle and dragon in Tibetan. It is said that this place was occupied by an evil dragon before the construction of this monastery. Then the evil dragon was conquered by an eagle - the incarnation of Songtsen Gampo. Later, a monastery was built here and was named Trandruk Monastery.

It is said that a lot of famous eminent Buddhists cultivated themselves around Trandruk Monastery, including Master Pasmasambhava and Master Milarepa. The existing relics of their cultivating places keep attracting followers of the Buddhism here for pilgrimage.

Trandruk Monastery – Cultural Relics

Pearl Thangka

The Pearl Thangka is the most precious and valuable treasure in Trandruk Monastery. This Thangka is about Arya Avalokiteshvara (a famous Buddhism Goddess). The Pearl Thangka is 2 meters ling and 1.2 meters wide. It is composed of 29026 pearls, 1 diamond, 2 rubies, 1 sapphire, 185 calaites, 1997 corals, and 15.5 grams of gold.

Sakyamuni Thangka

Sakyamuni Thangka is another valuable relic in Trandruk Monastery. It is embroidered by Princess Wencheng personally. It is stored with the Pearl Thangka and would not be shown to tourists frequently.

Bronze Bell

There is famous bronze bell in Trandruk Monastery. The inscriptions on the bell said that this bronze bell was manufactured under the supervision of a famous Han people.

The kitchen range and potteries used by Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng are still stored in Trandruk Monastery and had been precious cultural relics. Their bedroom is still preserved though it is hard to find its look in that period.

It is said that Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng would came to live in Trandruk Monastery frequently. Wencheng Princess planted several willow trees here personally, and the willow trees had been widely spread in Tibet and were called "willow trees of Tang Dynasty".