Simbiling Monastery
| Simbiling Monastery | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
| Sect | Gelug |
| Location | |
| Location | Ngari Prefecturein theTibet Autonomous RegionofChina. |
| Country | China |
| Geographic coordinates | 30°18′17″N81°09′44″E/ 30.304595°N 81.162153°E |
| Part ofa serieson |
| Tibetan Buddhism |
|---|
 |
Simbiling Monastery,also known asShambulingGompa,ShepelingDzongandTaklakot Gompa[citation needed],was located next to the large fort of Tegla Kar (Lying Tiger Fort)[citation needed]on a ridge nearTaklakot,above the town ofPurang,in theNgariprovince, which is just over the border fromIndia,in western Tibet in the valley of theKarnali River,which is known in Tibet as theMapchchu Khambab- the 'Peacock Mouth River' or 'River Formed from the Mouth of a Peacock'.[1]
It was set above a ridge of cave dwellings, high above the town, about 15 km to the east of theSakyaKhorzhak Monasterywhich has survived, and been restored.
In 1841,General Zorawar Singh,the commander-in-chief of theDograforces, after conquering almost all of Ladakh and much of Western Tibet, includingMount Kailash,and lakesMansarowarand Rakas Tal, and all the territory from Ladakh to the Mayum Pass, east of Mansarowar, from where the road lead temptingly on toShigatseandLhasa,backed by a garrison he had stationed at the strategically important Shepelingdzong.He was, however, killed the next year fighting a large Tibetan force, bringing to an endGulab Singh's dream of an extensive Dogra empire including large sections of Tibet.[2]
Simbiling Monastery had over 100 rooms and was inhabited by several hundredGelugpamonks. There was also a fort which was the residence of the regional administrator, and a smaller Sakya monastery in the complex. They were all completely flattened by Chineseartilleryin 1967.[3][4]In 2003, work was begun to rebuild Shambuling Monastery by Trugo Lama, Lobsang Samten, and there are now a few monks there.
The present Chinese military garrison and cantonment is just across the Karnali river northeast from the ruined fort and monasteries. The town centre and some ancient ruins are also on this side of the river, which runs right through the town. The route toMount Kailashheads to the northwest, while the new pilgrim route to India over theLipu-Lekh Pass,heads southwest, while the route toKhorzhak Monasteryand Nepal leaves town heading east.[4]
The temple complex anddzong,or 'fort', were above a temple now belonging to the Gelug sect, called 'Tsegu Gompa' or the "Nine-Story Monastery" which was probably originally aBonestablishment.[5]Tsegu covers many terraces and may be reached by ladders.[6]
References
[edit]- ^Snelling, John. (1990).The Sacred Mountain: The Complete Guide to Tibet's Mount Kailas.1st edition 1983. Revised and enlarged edition, including: Kailas-Manasarovar Travellers' Guide. Forwards by H.H. the Dalai Lama of Tibet and Christmas Humphreys, pp. 74, photo on p. 238. East-West Publications, London and The Hague.ISBN0-85692-173-4.
- ^Ladkah: Crossroads of High Asia.2nd edition, pp. 84-85. (1996) Janet Rizvi. Oxford University Press.ISBN0-19-564546-4.
- ^Allen, Charles.(1999)The Search for Shangri-La: A Journey into Tibetan History,pp. 55-56. Little, Brown and Company. Reprint: 2000 Abacus Books, London.ISBN0-349-11142-1.
- ^abGyurme Dorje(1999).Tibet Handbook with Bhutan(2nd ed.). Bath, UK: Footprint Handbooks.ISBN978-1-900949-33-0.
- ^Allen, Charles.(1999)The Search for Shangri-La: A Journey into Tibetan History,p. 55. Little, Brown and Company. Reprint: 2000 Abacus Books, London.ISBN0-349-11142-1.
- ^Tibet Handbook,p. 351. (1999). Edited by Sarah Thorowgood. Passport Books, Chicago.ISBN0-8442-2190-2.