Tibet Monastery Tour – Chude Monastery in Shigatse

Chude Monastery was firstly constructed in 1270. It was originally a monastery belonged to Sakya Sect and became a monastery of Gelug Sect during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama. It is located in Gyelong County in Shigatse Prefecture.

Tibet Monastery Tour – Construction Complex of Chude Monastery

Chude Monastery covers an area of 1800 square meters with a length of 60 meters and a width of 30 meters. It is mainly composed of the yard, stoep, central palace, pagodas and a series of affiliated complex. The yard of Chude Monastery sits at the west and faces the east. It acted as the main place for the grand religious ceremonies in the monastery. Its largest capacity is 90.

The stoep of Chude Monastery is located at the west of the yard. Tourists making a Tibet monastery tour here would easily attracted by the exquisite murals on the west wall of the stoep. The religious figures painted on the lintel would make tourists experience a special religious atmosphere once you enter here.

The central palace of Chude Monastery covers an area of 480 square meters. There are 22 magnificent pillars which make the palace looked more solemn. All the pillars and cross beams are decorated with lotus flower, birds, lion, deer and some other auspicious patterns. Just as the other monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, the statues of Sakyamuni are also enshrined in the central palace.

Tibet Monastery Tour – Cultural Relics in Chude Monastery

As an ancient monastery with hundreds of years, Chude Monastery stored a lot of valuable cultural and historical relics. The precious Kangyur Set and Tengyur Set are displayed in the central palace. A lot of statues made of different materials are enshrined in the 3-storey pagoda in Chude Monastery. These religious statues are highly respected by the followers of Gelug Sect.

Though there is few Thangkas preserved in Chude Monastery, the exquisite religious paintings and the architectural decorations will make tourists feel this monastery is a quite different monastery. The number of tourists visited Chude Monastery is much less than that of Tashilhunpo Monastery or some other famous monasteries. Tourists making a Tibet monastery tour here could also explore the profound Tibetan Buddhism culture through the special cultural relics stored in the monastery.