Tsurphu (mTshur phu)is the seat of the Karmapas in the Tolung area of Central Tibet in the Dowo Lung valley,70 km from Lhasa. It is 14000ft above sea level and built in the middle of the valley facing south with high mountains surrounding the monastery complex.It is a 300m square compex with walls up to 4m thick.Tsurphu was founded by the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa in 1159 when he visited the site and laid the foundation for an establishment of a seat there by making offerings to the local protectors. In 1189 he revisited the site and founded his main seat there known as the "earthly abode of the sacred place of the heart (or Mind). The Monastery grew to hold 1000 monks. It was totally destroyed in 1966 by the Communist invasion and began to be rebuilt in 1980 by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rikpai Dorje (1924-81). Building continued with the arrival of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, where he resided, until he escaped from Tibet to India in 2000. It has been the main seat of the Karmapas since and the most important monastery of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tsurphu monastery is situated in a valley two hours northwest of The landscape here, at over 4600m, is mainly sloping mountainsides brightly speckled with wild flowers in the warm season --white peaks ahead and a rushing river below.
Drupon Dechen Rinpoche (the late the abbot of Tsurphu), and Tsurphu Gompa.
Tsurphu Gompa is the original seat of all the Gyalwa Karmapas and the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
Tsurphu Monastery and Nam Tso (Nam Lake) lie 70km and 230km respectively northwest of Lhasa.
Tsurphu, sits at an altitude of very nearly 4500m, and can be reached from Lhasa within 2 or 3 hours, or otherwise combined with Nam Tso as a 2 or 3 day trip.
Tsurphu is the official home of the Karmapa Lama, the third ranking priest in Buddhist hierarchy, and he still lived there until he left over the Himalayas to India in February of this year, 2000.
Feeds |
Contact