Ganden Monastery

History Of The Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is the mother monastery among the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located on the south bank of the Lhasa River in Taktse County at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level.

The monastery is 57 kilometres from Lhasa. It was built in 1409 by master Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school, and can be said to be the ancestral monastery of the Gelugpa school. The Ganden monastery is collectively referred to as the “Three Great Yellow Head Monasteries” with Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.

Ganden is a Tibetan transliteration, which means “The paradise or Joyful place”. In 1419, master Tsongkhapa passed away here, and there is still the funeral tomb of master Tsongkhapa. The cave where the master Tsongkhapa practised meditation is located on the east side of the monastery, which is also a famous spot here. Below the cave is master Tsongkhapa’s dormitory, where Tsongkhapa’s scriptures, vestments, and seals are relics.

The top administrator of the monastery is called Ganden Tripa, which means the top golden thorn holder of the Monastery. The Monastery is the ancestral monastery of the Gelugpa school. Therefore, Ganden Tripa is also the administrator of the Gelugpa school.

At present, there are still more than 90 remains of Ganden Tripa in the Monastery.

The Ganden Monastery is a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is composed of more than 50 buildings, including the main assembly hall.

Ganden Kora (Ganden Lingkor)

Ganden monastery is situated in a natural and hilly area. The hike around the monastery on a one hour Kora route is beautiful and stunning views over several 5,000m high mountains. 

There are lots of self-arising images, rock carving buddhas, and so forth. On the last part of the kora, there is a cave of master Tsongkhapa called ‘Ozer Phuk’. Inside the meditation cave, there is speaking image of protector Shridevi, Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitayus, master Atisha, Dromtonpa and Tsongkhapa himself.

Ganden to Samye Trek

The Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery, five days trek, is the best and most popular trekking route around Lhasa. This trek will be crossing several passes over 5,000m. The trek starts on the hill above Ganden restaurant.

Please check here Ganden to Samye Trekking for further details.