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| Drigung Monastery |
| Located in the northeast of present-day Maizhokunggar, Drigung district was one of the biggest Wanhu (ten thousand household) of Tibet in Yuan Dynasty. In 1179, Renqinbei founded Drigung Sect, one of the sub-branches of Phagdru Kagyu, and built the Drigung Monastery here. Drigung Mandala, the famous celestial burial platform around Tibetan areas, is just located at the back of the temple in the mountain. It is said that there are two famous celestial burial platforms in the world, one is this one in Drigung and another is Swatsai in India. People believe that the soul of one, who has been empowered by the Drigung Living Buddha, can leave the body and enter into the Three Good Circles of Beings and does not take the risk of descending to the hell. That is why so many people go to the trouble of traveling a long distance to send the dead over here for celestial burial. In the later period of the 13th century, an imbroglio occurred between Drigung Monastery and Sakya Monastery. As a result, Sakya Monastery burned down Drigung Monastery in force, and the influence of the Drigung Monastery decreased greatly for a time but restored gradually afterwards. Drigung Sect remained to be an opponent worthy of the Gelug Sect's steel till the first half of the 17th century. |
| next : Gandan Monastery |
| Before : Drepung Monastery |
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