Ralung Monastery

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Ralung Monastery, located in the Tsang region of western Tibet, is the traditional seat of the Drukpa Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in 1180 by Tsangpa Gyare who was the First Gyalwang Drukpa and the founder of the Drukpa order.

The monastery is located in present-day Gyantse county several kilometers south of the road connecting Nakartse and Lungmar, immediately north of the Gasa district of Bhutan. In previous times, trade could be conducted across the Yak La pass across the high Himalayas, extending the influence of Ralung to the south.

The monastery is surrounded by the towering peaks and glacier fields of Gyetong Soksum (6,244m), Jangzang Lhamo (6,324m) and Nojin Gangzang (7,191m). From the beginning the location was recognized as especially auspicious:

"The eight auspicious symbols adorned the surrounding: The mountain in front of the monastery appeared in the form of a white conch turning clock-wise; the peak of Rala pass appeared like a precious open parasol; the peak behind Pokya appeared like a brimming vase; the Tsenchu peak appeared like a victory banner hoisted high; the Yangon hill appeared like a pair of golden fish; the ground at Gormo appeared like a golden wheel; the hill in the direction of Penthang appeared like an open lotus stem with the twin streams appearing like two birds facing each other; and Gyamo meadow appeared like an auspicious knot." [1]

The founder of Bhutan, the first Shabdrung, Ngawang Namgyel, was the 18th abbott of Ralung monastery. In 1616 he fled Tibet when his recognition as the reincarnation of renowned scholar Pema Karpo was challenged by the governor of Tsang province. Ngawang Namgyel proved to be a worthy incarnation of Pema Karpo, as he far surpassed the accomplishments of his tormentors by unifying the warring valleys of Bhutan, fending off attacks from Tibet, forming a national identity, and establishing a Drukpa theocracy that continues to this day in modified form as the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Other names for Ralung monastery include Shedrub Chokhar Ling Gompa (the original name), Druk Ralung, and Ralung Gompa.