Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This small chapel (Jampa Lhakhang), just across from the exit of the Tomb of Tsongkhapa,
holds two large images of the Future Buddha, plus the eight bodhisattvas.
Assembly Hall
BUDDHIST, CHAPEL
The recently renovated assembly hall has statues of the 16
arhats
and two huge statues of
Tsongkhapa (only visible from upstairs). Stairs lead up to the inner sanctum, the Golden
Throne Room (Ser Trikhang), which houses the throne of Tsongkhapa. Pilgrims get
thumped on the head here with the yellow hat of Tsongkhapa and the shoes of the 13th
Dalai Lama.
On exiting the assembly hall there are two entrances on the north side of the building.
The west one gives access to a 2nd-floor view of two Tsongkhapa statues, and the east one
houses a library (Tengyur Lhakhang).
Residence of the Ganden Tripa
BUDDHIST, CHAPEL
To the east of the Golden Throne Room and slightly uphill, this residence (also known as
Zimchung Tridok Khang) contains the living quarters and throne of the Ganden Tripa.
Other rooms include a protector chapel, with statues of Demchok, Gonpo Gur (Ma-
hakala) and Dorje Naljorma (Vajrayogini); a Tsongkhapa chapel; and a room with the liv-
ing quarters of the Dalai Lama. To the right is the 'Nirvana Room', which has a large
shrine to Kurt Cobain (only kidding, it's Tsongkhapa again, who is said to have died in this
room). The upper-floor library has a round platform used for creating sand mandalas.
Lumbung Kangtsang
BUDDHIST, CHAPEL
Lumbung Kangtsang is also known as the Amdo Kangtsang. Tsongkhapa himself was
from Amdo (modern-day Qīnghǎi), and many monks came from the province to study
here. Look for the
rangjung
(self-arisen) and
sumjung
(with the power of speech) stone
representation of Drölma.
