Ganden Chokhorling Monastery: A Pure Land of the Gelugpa School
Nestled in a mountain valley on the south bank of the Lhasa River in Dagze District, Lhasa, lies a red-walled, golden-roofed monastery—Ganden Chokhorling Monastery—an important center of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Meaning "Temple of the Wheel of Goodness" in Tibetan, it is located over 30 kilometers from Lhasa city at an altitude of 3800 meters. With over 600 years of religious tradition and exquisite architectural art, it has become a tranquil haven near Lhasa.
The monastery was founded in the 15th century by Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Initially part of Drepung Monastery, it later developed into an independent monastery. Despite renovations, it retains its Ming and Qing dynasty architectural style and was listed as a Tibet Autonomous Region-level cultural relic protection unit in 1996.
The entire monastery is laid out in a terraced pattern, following the contours of the mountain, with buildings arranged in a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing manner. The main prayer hall faces south, its Tibetan-style fortress walls reaching 1.2 meters in thickness. The roof, adorned with gleaming gilded copper tiles, is decorated with auspicious symbols such as the Dharma wheel and golden deer. Inside, the beams and pillars are exquisitely carved and painted with auspicious patterns. Gilded statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and Tsongkhapa stand solemnly, while butter lamps burn eternally, their incense smoke swirling.
On either side of the prayer hall are monks' quarters, a protector deity hall, and a scripture pavilion. The scripture pavilion houses thousands of volumes of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, including Ming and Qing dynasty manuscripts and printed editions, possessing immense documentary value. The murals in the corridors depict stories of the Buddha's life and biographies of eminent monks, their vibrant colors and delicate brushstrokes showcasing the exquisite artistry of Tibetan painting.
As a Gelugpa monastery, the monks follow the teachings of Tsongkhapa, chanting and practicing amidst the morning bells and evening drums. During the annual Dharma assemblies in the first and sixth months of the Tibetan calendar, devotees gather to circumambulate the prayer wheels and pray for blessings, the melodious chanting of Dharma hymns filling the air, and the incense burning brightly.
The monastery is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with the Lhasa River meandering through it, barley fields and villages lining its banks, and majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance. Today, it maintains its tranquil atmosphere for spiritual practice while also being open to tourists. Visitors can stroll through the monastery, touch the ancient stone walls, listen to the chanting of sutras, and experience the profound purity of Tibetan Buddhism in the serenity of the plateau.