Canzhuolin Temple

Nestled in a tranquil corner of Mayi Village, Gadong Town, Bailang County, Shigatse City, stands the serene Tsangdroling Monastery. Its full Tibetan name is "Gadong Tsangdroling Gedanta Gyaltsen," also known as Gadong Monastery. Founded in the mid-8th century, over 1200 years ago, it has carried the millennia-old tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and bears the profound imprint of the Tibetan culture. Far from the hustle and bustle, unassuming, only the ancient chanting of sutras echoes across the plateau.

Founded by the great translator Pal Tseshi Rechung, Tsangdroling Monastery is an important remnant of the early propagation of Tibetan Buddhism and the earliest translation site of the Tibetan Buddhist canon, witnessing the spread and development of Tibetan Buddhist classics. Its doctrinal lineage is quite diverse, having once been associated with the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya schools. Since the mid-17th century, it has formally embraced the Gelug school. Despite suffering damage over the years, it was rebuilt on its original site in 1985, regaining its vitality and becoming an irreplaceable spiritual sanctuary for local believers. The monastery houses 108 precious cultural relics, including a 700-year-old ceramic statue of the Khedrup Panchen Lama and a skull of a dakini with naturally occurring Tibetan script, both considered rare treasures. Each artifact embodies a thousand years of Buddhist wisdom and the craftsmanship of artisans. The monastery's architecture blends the essence of Tibetan style, with simple yet robust stone walls. The prayer halls and shrines are arranged in a harmonious and understated manner, showcasing the solemnity and grandeur of a Gelugpa monastery. Every decorative detail is imbued with the unique charm of Tibetan culture.

For local believers, Tsangdroling Monastery is an integral part of their lives. Every year on the first day of the Tibetan New Year, a solemn ceremony is held to erect prayer poles. On the 28th day of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar, the Gai Cham Dance Festival takes place, drawing tens of thousands of believers from afar to offer incense, prayers, and khatas (ceremonial scarves). The chanting of monks and the prayers of the faithful intertwine, echoing across the snowy plateau, creating a deeply moving cultural scene in Tibet. Amidst the morning bells and evening drums, monks diligently practice their faith, continuing the thousand-year-old Buddhist tradition.

Today, Tsangdroling Monastery remains serene and peaceful, bearing witness to the historical memory of the translation of the Tibetan Buddhist canon and continuing the glory of the Gelug school of Buddhism. It is a vessel for the fusion of Tibetan cultures, a testament to a thousand-year-old faith, and a spiritual bond between the people of the plateau and nature, tradition and the present. This ancient monastery, with its silent perseverance, tells an eternal story of time, faith, and inheritance, ensuring the enduring vitality of Tibetan culture on the Tibetan Plateau.