Ganden Monastery, located 40 km northeast of Lhasa, is one of the earliest
and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, and stands atop of the six
famous temples of Gelugpa - a branch of Tibetan Buddhism.
Ganden
Monastery was built in 1417 by Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa order,
during the 15th century. The monastery is comprised of over 50 structures.
The main halls in the monastery are Coqen Hall, Zhacansg, Khangtsens,
and Myicuns. Coqen Hall
has three levels and serves as the main assembly hall. The monastery possesses
two Zhacang (or Tantric colleges) - Xaze and Jamze, both capable of holding
1,500 worshipping lamas. 23 Khangtsens and 20 Myicuns in the monastery
serve as the monks' living areas.
There are
95 burial stupas on the grounds of the monastery. the most noteworthy
of which is the Tomb of the Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa Sect.
The Ganden Monastery also houses rare and well preserved cultural relics,
such as the armor of Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
Buddha Painting
Unfolding Festival, one of the grandest of Buddhist activities, is held
in the monastery every year.
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