Litang Monastery in Litang County, Garze

Litang Monastery in Litang County, Garze
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Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery, also known as Litang Monastery (理塘寺), is located in the northern part of Litang County (理塘县), Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (甘孜藏族自治州), in Sichuan Province (四川省). Established in 1580 during the Ming Dynasty, the monastery is one of the oldest and largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Kham region. It holds a significant place in Tibetan religious culture and is renowned as the largest Yellow Hat (Gelug) sect monastery in southern Garzê.

Overview of Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery

Historical Background

The monastery was founded by the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (三世达赖喇嘛索南嘉措) in 1580. Originally built with limited resources, it began with just over a hundred monks and modest structures. It grew steadily, supported by the Mongol King (契克阿登) and Naxi chieftains from Lijiang (丽江). The monastery underwent several expansions, including the construction of the Great Buddha Hall (大招殿) and King Wu’s Hall (吴王殿). By the Qing Dynasty, especially during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, the monastery became a religious hub for both Tibetan and Han officials and monks, reaching a population of 1,800 monks by the mid-Qing period.

Architectural Features

Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery is an iconic example of Tibetan Buddhist architecture, with a vast area of approximately 333,400 square meters and a building area of about 66,600 square meters. The monastery complex is surrounded by walls featuring small white stupas (塔墙), creating a fortress-like structure. Over the years, the monastery expanded and now consists of three main halls:

  1. The Great Tathāgata Buddha Hall (大如来佛殿)

  2. The Tsongkhapa Hall (宗喀巴殿)

  3. The Main Hall (大殿)

The monastery also includes a Scripture Library, Thousand Buddha Hall, and Shakyamuni Hall (释迦牟尼殿). The northernmost section is dedicated to the Buddhist College (佛学院), making it one of the central spiritual and academic institutions in the region.

Religious Significance

Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery holds a prominent position in Gelug (Yellow Hat) Tibetan Buddhism, and it is one of the holiest sites in the Kham region. The monastery regularly hosts significant religious events, including the annual pilgrimage during Lhasa’s Shoton Festival (藏历六月), where devotees perform the “June Mountain Pilgrimage” (祝毕日嘎) to honor sacred mountains and engage in ritual circumambulation (转山).

The monastery’s teachings focus on Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly its unique Tantric practices and philosophical discourses.

Cultural and Artistic Heritage

Murals and Relics

The monastery houses numerous cultural relics, including mantra stones, golden saddles, and the throne of the 10th Panchen Lama (十世班禅大师的坐床). Ancient Tibetan scriptures, such as the Ganjur and Tanjur (甘珠尔和丹珠尔), are carefully preserved, and sculptures and manuscripts are part of its rich cultural heritage.

Inside the monastery, vivid murals cover every surface, depicting Buddhist Jataka tales and Tantric teachings. These murals are known for their intricate lines, vibrant colors, and deep symbolic meanings. The Ten Manifestations of Buddha (十相自在图), a series of Vajrayana symbols, is a prominent theme in the artwork, representing the highest teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra (时轮宗).

Myths and Legends

There are numerous legends surrounding Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery. One popular tale is the legend of the 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso who, during his travels through Amdo (青海), stopped at Litang and saw a series of auspicious signs on the surrounding mountains. These signs, including a mountain shaped like a seated deity, led him to choose this location to build the monastery.

It is said that the main peak of the surrounding mountains naturally forms a mandala that aligns with the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, including a depiction of the ten manifestations of the Buddha in the landscape. This mystical connection is a major reason the monastery is considered a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism.

Cultural Importance

Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery plays an important role in the local community, not just as a religious center but also as a cultural hub. It is regarded as one of the most significant cultural landmarks in Litang and has contributed greatly to the preservation of Tibetan arts, philosophy, and religious practices.

Visitor Information

How to Get There

The monastery is located northeast of Litang County, about 1.1 kilometers from Litang County Government (理塘县人民政府). It is easily accessible by car, taking about 5 minutes from the town center.

  • Best Time to Visit: The monastery is open year-round, but visiting during major festivals like Lhosar (Tibetan New Year) or the June Mountain Pilgrimage provides a richer cultural experience.

Things to Note

  • Respect Local Customs: Visitors are expected to follow the Tibetan customs of clockwise circumambulation (顺时针绕行) around the monastery.

  • Altitude Awareness: Litang is located at a high altitude of approximately 4,014 meters (13,169 feet), so visitors should take precautions for altitude sickness and sun exposure.

Nearby Attractions

  • Litang Grasslands (理塘草原): Known for its vast, open landscapes, Litang Grasslands are ideal for hiking and experiencing the Tibetan nomadic lifestyle.

  • Tibetan Sacred Peaks: Litang is surrounded by sacred mountains, which are central to many Tibetan legends and pilgrimages.