Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The monastery dates back to 1056. It was initially associated with Atisha (Jowo-je) but
in its later years it had an important connection with the Gelugpa order and the Dalai La-
mas. Two regents - the de facto rulers of Tibet for the interregnum between the death of a
Dalai Lama and the majority of his next reincarnation - were chosen from the Reting ab-
bots. The fifth Reting Rinpoche was regent from 1933 to 1947 and played a key role in the
search for the current Dalai Lama, serving as his senior tutor. He was later accused of col-
lusion with the Chinese and died in a Tibetan prison.
The sixth Reting Rinpoche (Tenzin Jigne) died in 1997. In January 2001 the Chinese an-
nounced that a boy named Sonam Phuntsog had been identified out of 700 candidates as
the seventh Reting Rinpoche; the Dalai Lama opposes the choice.
Sights
Tsogchen
BUDDHIST, CHAPEL
The current main assembly hall, or Tsogchen, had been completely gutted at the time of re-
search as part of a huge renovation project. Things were due to return to normal from
2015.
The main inner shrine, the Ütse, has a central statue of Jampai Dorje, an unusual amal-
gam of the gods Jampelyang (Manjushri), Chana Dorje (Vajrapani) and Chenresig
(Avalokiteshvara). To the left is an ancient thangka of Drölma that, according to the resid-
ent monks, was brought here by Atisha himself. A wooden box beside the altar holds the
giant molar of Sangye Wösong, the Buddha before Sakyamuni.
To the left of the Ütse entrance are some interesting photos of the monastery that date to
1948. To the right of the entrance is a picture of the current Reting Rinpoche and a foot-
print and photo of the fifth Reting Rinpoche. In front of the entrance is a platform used for
creating sand mandalas. Behind the Ütse is a storeroom stuffed with Tantric drums and
Buddha statues.
As you leave the chapel look for a second hall to your right. The hall contains a gold
chörten with the remains of the sixth Reting Rinpoche. Lining the back wall are statues of
all six previous Reting Rinpoches. The metal box in the right corner holds a giant thangka
(known as a
thongdrol
), unveiled once a year.
Reting kora
WALK
