Mindroling Monastery

Mindroling Monastery is located at Zhaqi district, southeast part of Zhanang County, Shannan City, Tibet, 50 kilometers (31 miles) far from Zetang County and 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Lhasa Gonggar airport. 
 

Surrounding Mountains

Being surrounded by water and mountains is the feature of the temple. It stands on the south bank of Yarlung Tsangpo River, with mountains of Miyou on the east, Zhebu on the west, Quedan on the south, Danma on the north, and a vast valley in the front. Facing east, the monastery has great hypsography and beautiful scenery.

The temple is also noted for its high attention to astronomical calendar research and presides over the compilation of the Tibetan calendar, Zang calligraphy, and Tibetan incense production. According to their tradition, the monastery will choose certain dignitaries, some of whom are assigned to be teachers at Potala Palace. The rest of them are sent to Menzikang, who is in charge of studying the astronomical calendar and compilation of the Tibetan calendar. Also, Mindroling Monastery is in an important position of doing research on Nyingmapa-sect's history and tenets.

Mindroling Monastery is one of the six temples of the Nyingmapa sect. It was originally built in the 10th century, but in 1718, the Dzungar Mongols from East Turkistan heavily damaged it. Finally, the seventh Dalai Lama rebuilt it.
 In this temple with more than 100,000 square meters ((approx. 119,599 square yards)), the biggest hall is named Guihuakang and the main hall is Lakhang Buddhist Hall. Lakhang Buddhist Hall is three stories high. The Main Assembly Hall is on the first floor, the second floor has five small Buddhist Halls and monks’ residence, and the third floor has another two Buddhist halls. On the walls of the main hall, you can see many murals of Buddha with ferocious faces, extra heads, and arms. Such a figure is a special characteristic of Nypingmapa temples. According to the explanation of Tibetan Buddhism, those malevolent-looking deities are guardians of the temple's defense against enemies and evils.

Murals

Buddha Sculpture

Also in the main hall, there are 20 golden Buddha sculptures and 2 Dharma Proctor sculptures, whose have severe expression and long fangs.
  In this monastery, you can have a chance to enjoy the process of making Tibetan incense, which will leave you with a deep impression. It is said that Mindroling Monastery owns Tibet’s best incense, which combines Nyingchi’s Tibetan drugs and Shannan’s Tibetan medicine. Its unique and serene scent can help people relax, so it is a good souvenir.

Monk at Mindroling Temple

A Corner of the Temple

 The Buddhist monks in Mindroling Monastery are allowed to marry. The succession of the patriarch is not only restricted to father to son, but also to father-in-law and son-in-law.
 9:00 a.m. – 18:00 p.m., all year round
 CNY25 per person
 There are only chophouses proving simple food near Mindroling Monastery, no good restaurants. It’s wise to bring some snacks or prepare a packed meal before going.  
 You can rent a taxi from Zetang County and the cost is about CNY80 - 100 per car for a round-trip. Usually, a taxi can hold accommodate at most four passengers. In addiyion, the price of taking a taxi from Shannan to the temple is about CNY200.