List of Himalayan monasteries and shrines is a list of Buddhist monasteries and shrines in the Himalayas.
History Buddhism had spread to the Himalayan region before CE. It is evident from the fact that during 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka visited Nepal. ] Vajrayana Buddhism spread to Tibet during the reign of Songtsen Gampo.
Consequently, great Buddhist Masters like Vasubandhu, Santarakshaka and Padmasambhava visited Tibet. This led to the establishment of Buddhist Monasteries all along Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau.
Vajrayana Buddhism is followed almost all along the Himalayas Himalayan range. Monasteries of Vajrayana Buddhism are found throughout Himalayan range in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan; the earliest being Samye Monastery Samye in Tibet.
The religious structures of Vajrayana Buddhism in the Himalayan belt are seen as Monasteries, Lhakhangs/ Gomphas and Chortens. In Mahayana Buddhism they are known as Chaityas, Viharas and Stupas, respectively.
Monasteries also display colourful motifs and thangkas on its walls.
Rituals Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are known for their rich culture and traditions, which are deeply rooted in the teachings of Buddhism. One of the most important aspects of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries is the presence of ritualistic places, which are dedicated to various deities and spiritual practices. Here are some of the most common ritualistic places found in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and what they are called:
Dukhang:Snellgrove, D. L. (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and their Tibetan successors (Vol. 1). Shambhala. The shrine room is the most important ritualistic place in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is a sacred space where monks and laypeople gather to perform prayers, offerings, and other rituals. The shrine room is often adorned with statues, thangkas (religious paintings), and other symbolic objects that represent the Buddha and other deities.Lopez, D. S. (1995). The heart sutra explained: Indian and Tibetan commentaries. SUNY Press.
LahkhangSnellgrove, D. L. (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and their Tibetan successors (Vol. 1). Shambhala is the inner sanctum of the monastery, where the most sacred relics, statues, and thangkas (religious paintings) are housed. It is typically located in the central courtyard of the monastery and is considered to be the most sacred and holiest part of the monastery. The Lahkhang is only accessible to the monks and is used for meditation and religious ceremonies.Vitali, R. (1990). The kingdom of Gugė: Western Tibet and the Himalayas of Ladakh and Nepal. Serindia Publications
Gompa : The place for tantric practices and meditation in Tibetan monasteries is called the "Gompa" or "Meditation Hall." This is a dedicated space within the monastery where practitioners engage in advanced spiritual practices, including tantric rituals, visualization, and meditation.
The GompaZangpo, N. (2016). The treasury of knowledge, book 8, part 4: Esoteric instructions (Vol. 4). Shambhala. is typically located within the monastery complex and is designed to facilitate deep concentration and inner exploration. The space is usually large, with minimal furnishings, and may be decorated with symbolic images and objects that are relevant to the particular practices being undertaken.Powers, J. (2013). A concise encyclopedia of Buddhism. Oneworld Publications
Within the Gompa, practitioners may work with a qualified teacher or guide to deepen their understanding of tantric practices and meditation. They may engage in practices that involve the recitation of mantras, visualization of deities, or other advanced techniques that are aimed at achieving spiritual realization.
Stupa: A stupaConingham, R. A. E., & Young, R. (2015). The archaeology of South Asia: From the Indus to Asoka, c. 6500 BCE-200 CE. Cambridge University Press. is a dome-shaped structure that represents the Buddha's body, speech, and mind. It is a ritualistic place where devotees perform circumambulation (walking around the stupa in a clockwise direction), offer prayers, and make offerings. Stupas are considered to be powerful spiritual objects that radiate positive energy and blessings.Huntington, J. C., & Huntington, D. S. (2005). The art of ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain. Weatherhill.
Chorten: A chortenDowman, K. (1988). The power-places of Central Tibet: The pilgrim's guide. Routledge is a small stupa that is used as a ritualistic place for meditation and offerings. Chortens are often found in the courtyards of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and are used by monks and laypeople alike.Snellgrove, D. L. (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and their Tibetan successors (Vol. 1). Shambhala
Mandala: A mandalaSnellgrove, D. L. (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and their Tibetan successors (Vol. 1). Shambhala. is a geometric pattern that represents the universe and is used as a ritualistic place for meditation and visualization. Mandalas are often created using coloured sand or other materials and are destroyed after the ritual is complete, symbolizing the impermanence of all things.Gombrich, R. F. (1997). How Buddhism began: The conditioned genesis of the early teachings. Routledge.Murals on Tibetan Buddhist monasteries
Prayer Wheel: A prayer wheelThurman, R. A. F. (1996). Essential Tibetan Buddhism. Castle Books. is a cylindrical wheel that is inscribed with mantras or prayers. It is a ritualistic place where devotees spin the wheel in a clockwise direction, believing that each turn of the wheel generates positive energy and blessings.Karmay, S. G. (2014). The life of the first Yangsi Rinpoche: Memoirs of the Tibetan resistance. Lexington Books.
These ritualistic places are an integral part of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and are used by monks and laypeople alike to connect with their spiritual practice and the teachings of Buddhism
List of Himalayan monasteries and shrines Sr. No. Monastery/Gompha Image Description1Gorsam ChortanGorsam Chorten (Stupa) is at Zemithang 90 km from Tawang. The stupa is 186 feet base and 93 feet high, built in 12 century AD by Monk Lama Pradhar. It is built to resembles 5 century AD, Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal.
Chendebji Chortan in Bhutan is of similar design.2Kungri MonasteryKungri Gompha is Vajrayana Buddhist temple, Kungri Monastery is located in the Himalayan region India. It was built in 1330. The Gompha has exquisite murals painted on its walls depicting deities of Vajrayana pantheon..3Lachung MonasteryLachung Monastery was built in 1880 situated in North Sikkim, India. Originally a Bon Monastery is now a Niyamapa Monastery4Namchi MonasteryNamchi Buddhist Monastery is situated in Sikkim, India. Namchi Monastery has Decchen Choyling Gumpa built in 1948. In the same premises there is a Nunnery.5Sang MonasterySang Monastery – Karma Dubgyu Chokhorling Monastery, Sikkim built in 1912 AD. Sang Monastery belongs to Kagyupa sect of Vajrayana Buddhism6Thiksey MonasteryThiksey Monastery was built during 15th century. This Monastery belongs to Gelugpa Sect of Vajrayana Buddhism located at Leh, Ladakh, India7Ugyenling MonasteryThe Ugyenling monastery was built around 1487 by Ugyen Zangpo, the youngest brother of Terton Pemalinga. The monastery is situated at Tawang India8Bomdila MonasteryGontse Gaden Rabgyel Lling Monastery is an important Monastery of Mahayana school of thought. It was built by the 12th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rinpoche in 1965–66.
It is situated at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh India.
There are three gompas; middle Gompa is the oldest of all.9Kurje LkhangKurje Lhakhang is a Vajrayana Buddhist Shrine built in 1652 by Mingyur Tenpa at Bhumtang, Bhutan. It is surrounded by 108 chorten walls. The complex houses three revered temples,
namely: Guru Lhakhang, Sampa Lhundrup Lhakhang and Ka Gon Phor Sum Lhakhang.10Druk Wangyal LhakhangDruk Wangyal Lhakhang at 108 Chortens, Dochu La pass Bhutan. It is built in 2008 as memorial to celebrate 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.11Lippa MonasteryLippa Monastery is situated at Himachal Pradesh, India.The construction was started by Pandit Deva Ram ( 1744) and completed by his son Lama Sonam Dubkey. It is at an altitude of 2438 meters.
The Monastery temple is called Goldang Chakodar and houses the ancient religious texts – The Kangyur and Tangyur.12Likir MonasteryLikir Monastery was built during 11th century by Lhachen Gyalopo. It is situated In Ladakh region of India. The monastery is identified with 23 meters statue of Maitreya Buddha.13Labrang MonasteryLabrang Monastery was built in 1843. It belongs to the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Labrang Monastery was built in characteristic Sikkimese architecture of Rinchhen Surgyeor;
the eight sided diamond. It symbolizes indestructibility.14Enchey MonasteryEnchey Monastery was established in 1909. It belongs to the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. The Monastery is located in Sikkim, India15Yang Drung Bon Monastery (Shurishing Yungdrung Dungdrakling Bon Monastery )Shurishing Yungdrung Dungdrakling Bon Monastery is located in Kewzing, Sikkim, India. It is a 1980 Monastery built in Indo-Tibetan style. The monastery has paintings of Bon Demonical Buddha
and Bon Deity. Yung Dung school of Bon was founded by Shenrab Miwoche during 14th century.16Tachog Lhakhang – Tamchoe MonasteryTachog Lhakhang means “temple of the hill of the excellent horse.” The temple was built in 1420 by the architect Thangtong Gyalpo, "Iron Bridge Maker".
The Monastery is famous for the iron bridge leading to it, laid on Paro River.
The monastery is situated at Paro, Bhutan.17Tashiding Monastery, SikkimTashiding Monastery is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma sect was founded in 1641. Ngadak Sempa Chembo. This is the main 'Tashiding Gompa' which is called as Chogyal Lhakhang.
Tashiding Monastery is situated in Sikkim, India.18Lhodrak Kharchu MonasteryLhodrak Kharchu monastery was built in the 1990s in the traditional Dzong architectural style. It belongs to Nyingma sect of Vajrayana Buddhism. The monastery is located in Bhutan19Jambay lhakhang BhutanJambay Lhakhang is located in Bhumtang, Bhutan. This is an ancient shrine believed to have been built by 7 century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.
Songtsen Gampo built a series of 108 temples throughout the Himalayas, each one helping to pin down the demoness.
Jambay Lhakhang was intended to pin down the left knee of the demoness. Kichyu Lhakhang is one another Shrine.
Gyatso, J. (1987). Down with the demoness: reflections on a feminine ground in Tibet.
Feminine ground: Essays on women and Tibet.20Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, BhutanSangchen Dorji Lhendrup Numnnery Bhutan, The Nunnery was established in 2015 as a Buddhist college for Nuns. The shrine has a14 feet bronze statue of Avalokitesvara, tallest in Bhutan. The Stupa in the vicinity is modelled
on Swayam-Bhunath Stupa of Nepal,21Kanum Monastery, IndiaKanum Monastery is 12 century Monsatery belonging to Drukpa sect of Vajrayana Buddhism. It houses idol of Avalokiteshwara. The monastery has evidence of a Hungarian Scholar and explorer, Alexander Csoma de Körös (1784–1842) working there. .
The monastery is located in Himachal Pradesh, India
Le Calloc’h, Bernard. “Kanum, the Village of Alexander Csoma de Körös A Narrative of Werner Hoffmeister.
” The Tibet Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, 1996, pp. 47–57. JSTOR, . Accessed 27 Feb. 2023.22Zangdokpalri Monastery, India (Durpin Gompa)Zangdokpalri Monastery is also known as Durpin Gompa located at Kalimpong, West Bengal, India, This a Nyingma monastery, originally established by Dudjom Rinpoche 1946,23Rabong Gompa, Sikkim IndiaRabong Monastery is also called as the Mani Choekerling Complex (in set). This is situated near Tathagatha Stal (Hindi: तथागत स्थल) at Sikkim India. Rabong Monastery was built in the Sikkimese traditional architecture known as “Rinchhen Surgye”.