DRAK YERPA
The Drak Yerpa heritage is located about 30km (or 40 min of driving) to the North-East of Lhasa. It is a large complex of temples, monasteries and meditation caves nested on the mountain.
Visiting Drak Yerpa makes a great day trip outside of Lhasa. You can also combine it with a visit to Ganden monastery in the afternoon.
The monastery will be of particular interest to those who are interested in meditation, as are many meditation caves in the complex, and to visitors who are preparing for a trek in Tibet. The elevation here is a slightly higher than in Lhasa (a little over 4,400 meters at the bottom and 4, 880 meters/ 16.000 ft at the top). Due to the higher elevation, it is easier to acclimatize to the Lhasa altitude after going up to Drak Yerpa.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
King Songtsen Gampo and his two foreign queens are said to have meditated here in the Peu Marsergyi Lhakhang. In the cave, they discovered self-arising symbols of Buddha-body, speech, and mind. Later, Padmasambhava concealed many terma objects around Yerpa, including the celebrated ritual dagger of Sera (Sera Phurzhal). This dagger was eventually rediscovered by the treasure-finder Darcharuba at Sewalung. Padmasambhava spent several months in retreat in the Dawa Puk. The cave is one of his three most significant places of spiritual attainment (drub-ne). In the ninth century, Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje stayed at Drak Yerpa in solitary meditation, both prior to and after his assassination of the apostate king Langdarma.
Then, following the later phase of Buddhist propagation in Tibet, Yerpa came to greater prominence under Kadampa influence: Lu-me founded 108 temples on the hillside, including a Vairocana Lhakhang. Marton Chokyi Jungne founded the Jampa Lhakhang, and Atisha passed three years here, constructing with the aid of his foremost disciples, the Kyormo Lhakhang, and the Chokhang.
VISITING THE COMPLEX
We start at the bottom of the complex, where you will see wonderful white stupas and a local restaurant. We will be climbing up the mountain to visit the monasteries and meditation caves.
The first building that we visit is Lhalung-puk. Monk Lhalung meditated in this cave after assassinating King Langdharma who was against Buddhism in Tibet. The chapel was recently rebuilt.
We continue walking above the Lhalung-puk, moving to the right towards the Dawa-puk (Moon Cave). The main statue there is the statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padma Sambhava) who spent seven years in this cave. There is a wall painting of Tsechigma on the left side and the footprints of Guru Rinpoche and Lhalung on the right side.
After visiting the Moon Cave, we head West towards the Chögyal-puk, the Cave of Songtsen Gampo (7th-century king of Tibet). The chapel houses the statue of thousand-armed Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara or Compassion Buddha). The statue is also known as Chak- tong Chentong. When you walk around the central pillar, you can see the eyes of a self-arising lion’s face. On the right, there is a small cave and the statue of Songtsen Gampo.
The main building of the complex is the yellow temple Jampa Lhakhang. The central statue inside is a two-story tall statue of Jampa (Future Buddha), accompanied by Vajrapani on the left and Vairocana and Hayagriva on the right. There are also statues of Atisha, the Fifth Dalai Lama, and Tsongkhapa.
The cave on the top is Drubthub-puk. From there we continue to the cave where Atisha meditated. Around Atisha cave, there are several caves dedicated to Vajrapani.
Below the main caves and to the east is the Neten Lhakhang, for worshiping the Sixteen Arhats (Buddha’s main disciples). It is believed that Atisha conducted his teachings in this area.
To the East from the Drak Yerpa complex, there is the holy mountain of Yerpa Lhari. It has a sky burial site (not used nowadays) and a path around the mountain. We can walk around the mountain enjoying the view on the Drak Yerpa and the surrounding valley and mountain ranges.
DRAK YERPA GALLERY
TOURS VISITING DRAK YERPA
10 DAYS MEDITATION TOUR
On this tour, you will experience Tibetan culture, visit incredible landmarks and see the natural beauty of Tibet. At the same time, we will travel to the most peaceful and special places where the greatest Buddhist Lamas have been meditating for years.
We will spend time in the meditation caves, away from the busy world, make stops by the most impressive natural sightseeing spots, and, of course, visit the most important monastic centers, including Samye, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet.
DRAK YERPA AND GANDEN MONASTERY DAY TOUR FROM LHASA
We will start this day tour visiting Drak Yerpa complex. We will go up to visit the caves and the temples of the hermitage. Once you are done exploring Drak Yerpa, we will continue our journey to Ganden. It is one of the largest monasteries of Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Ganden is located in a picturesque setting with a great view on surrounding valleys.
LHASA CITY TOURS
4 DAYS LHASA TOUR
5 DAYS LHASA SIGHTSEEING
5 DAYS LHASA SURROUNDINGS
5 DAYS LHASA AND NATURAL WONDERS
6 DAYS TIBET HIGHLIGHTS
LHASA DAY TOURS
TOUR INQUIRY
PLACES YOU MIGHT LIKE
PABONGKA
Pabongka monastery history goes back to the 7th century when Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo meditated in one of the caves. You can also visit the cave and spend time meditating there. Pabongka monastery is located about 10 km from the Lhasa Old Town.
SHUGSHEB NUNNERY
The nunnery is located about 65 km from Lhasa in a gorgeous mountain basin. Its history is related with yoginis who meditated in the caves of the mountain. One of the prominent caves is Orgyen Dzong. Reveared Dzogchen Lama meditated there in 14th century. Nuns of Shugsheb are practicing both Nyingma and Dzogchen schools of Buddhism.
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