Gangteng Monastery
12 images 1 contributors Shoot with care
Sue Wolfe
Shoot with care
Be respectful of the monks and follow the monastery rules.
About this spot
Gangteng Monastery is an important monastery of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism—the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located in Phobjikha Valley—the same valley where the black-necked cranes come to escape the winter of the Tibetan Plateau. It was originally built as a small village monastery but was later expanded into a fortress. Local timber was used for the temple’s beams, doors, pillars, and windows.
A complete restoration began in 2002 due to damage from an earthquake. Special care was taken to preserve the original detail of the monastery. Gangteng now houses the central monastery, living quarters for the monks, meditation halls, guest house and school. The four-story complex has five temples that surround the main tower. Approximately 100 lay monks or gomchen now maintain Gangteng.
Inside the monastery are statues of Guru Rinpoche as well as elaborate frescoes. Bhutanese art is known for its bold colors. The Lha-zo (wall paintings) are usually associated with Buddhist mythology and spiritual teachings. Master painters are known as Lha Rips. The materials used are the natural pigmented soils found throughout the country.
Tradition has it the black-necked cranes circle the monastery three times on their arrival and repeat the pattern on their return to Tibet. The Crane Festival is held in November to mark the annual return of the cranes.
A complete restoration began in 2002 due to damage from an earthquake. Special care was taken to preserve the original detail of the monastery. Gangteng now houses the central monastery, living quarters for the monks, meditation halls, guest house and school. The four-story complex has five temples that surround the main tower. Approximately 100 lay monks or gomchen now maintain Gangteng.
Inside the monastery are statues of Guru Rinpoche as well as elaborate frescoes. Bhutanese art is known for its bold colors. The Lha-zo (wall paintings) are usually associated with Buddhist mythology and spiritual teachings. Master painters are known as Lha Rips. The materials used are the natural pigmented soils found throughout the country.
Tradition has it the black-necked cranes circle the monastery three times on their arrival and repeat the pattern on their return to Tibet. The Crane Festival is held in November to mark the annual return of the cranes.
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