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In the 16th Century, the first Dalai Lama, Panchen Gedundrup, founded Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. He passed away before the construction was finished, and therefore it was his closest disciple Panchen Zangpo Tashi who was chosen to complete the work. Panchen Zangpo Tashi also founded his own monastery in Gangchen, not far from Shigatse. Zangpo Tashi had great thaumaturgical powers: to improve living conditions in this arid area, he touched a rock with his stick, and manifested a water spring which to this day, brings water to both the monastery and entire surrounding villages. Until 1959, when it was reduced to ruins, Gangchen Monastery had a most prosperous life: it could house 350 monks in its two main quarters, that of Shartse Datsang and that of Jangtse Datsang, equipped with sixteen hostels. The Monastery upheld the principles of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism with the study of Vinaya, the Sutras, the Tantras, medicine, astrology, healing practices, philosophy, logic and dialectics; sacred cham dances, painting, the building of sand and three dimensional mandalas as well as craft, all flourished in Gangchen. It housed a library where some of the most precious ancient sacred texts were kept. Presently all that is left, where once upon a time Gangchen Monastery stood are desolate ruins. s.d. |
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