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| Buddhist monasteries and Lamaist Architecture |
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Nestling in isolation between the Karakorams and the Himalayas, Ladakh remains the guardian of ancient practices and artistic traditions dating back to over a thousand years. The Ladakhi Buddhist gompas (monasteries) are the most attractive feature of the landscape and are excellent examples of Tibetan Lamaist architecture.
The dominant form of the religion in Ladakh is the Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism, that in Tibet after the Chinese invasion is almost disappeared. The HH Dalai Lama exile in India had the consequence to strengthen the importance of Lamaism in India and several ladakhi monasteries have today a lama of Tibetan origin.
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Spituk monastery
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Gompas are usually built on the highest point of the mountain spurs or majestically sprawling over cliff sides, leaning against the mountain slope, in the vicinity of villages and rivers, evein if sometimes they are also built in isolated valleys. The gompas are made up of several flat roofs rectangular buildings, built one on top of the other with the terrace of each one being the courtyard of the other one on top of it. The path leading to the gompas is lined with mane cairns and white chortens. Mani walls are made of votive stones on which prayers and holy figures are inscribed. The outer walls and entrances are usually lined with prayer cylinders called chhoskor.
Phyang gompa |
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Large temple are often completed over several decades of development. Although a free-style layout lacking a pre-determined plan is generally used, some common characteristics can be recognised in the gompa architecture. Some architectonical elements are the same of that found in the houses of rich people, like the projecting roofs made by sheaf of wooden sticks colored in deep red against white washed façades.
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Basgo gompa
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All gompas have a large courtyard where mask dances take place. Around the courtyard are arranged the tall colourful halls and mansions, other small yards are also present in which ordinary monks are living. The various halls in the gompa are: the dukhang (assembly hall); the gonkang (chapel of the dharmapalas, the protector deities); the lhakang or the main shrine hall; the library. The central element in the hall are the lama chair and the various effigies of Buddha and other divinities or important ringpoches. Beautiful paintings of Buddha, Boddhisatvas, Dishapals, Dharmchakras and Mandals adorn the walls and the inner chambers of the gompas.
The Wheel of Life is customary displayed in temple doorways. Before the dukang entrance represented as warriors there are always the keepers of the four directions (Gyalchen deshi): Vishravana, protector of the yaks, yellow, the keeper of the north, holds in his hands the standard and a mangusta. Dhritarashastra, white, king of the celestial musicians (thunder), keeper of the east holding a lute. Virudhaka the sovereign of the malignant spirits, green, keeper of the south his symbol is the sword. Virupaksha, red, king of the Nagas and keeper of the west, holding in his hand a small chorten.
Likir gompa |
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Hanging from the beams are tangkas (thankas), scroll paintings on canvas with a backing of silk cloth. Hand printed, loose leaf scriptures are reverently wrapped in rich silk and brocade. Made only for contemplation and meditation, ladakhi paintings are unique with their influences from Kashmiri and Tibetan art. Sometimes the main hall has a double roof with an opened space that allow the light in and with wooden pillars that sustain both roofs. At the end of the main hall there is a hidden chapel with other sacred statues and paintings.
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Alchi monastery
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There are three easily recognisable types of monasteries : the fort-monastery (like Spituk), the sanctuary in open terrain (like Alchi) and the monastery that has evolved from the "gate-keeper" hut outside of the reclusive cave/cell, eventually growing in to a complex (like Hemis).
The cave monastery of Shergole.
Alchi Gompa its focal attraction are the beautiful painted statues of Buddha of the Sumstek with 1000-year old wall paintings and thousands of miniature-sized pictures.
Rizong Gompa |
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Likir Gompa majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view.
Lamayuru Gompa has fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a Bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism, it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley.
Rizong Gompa an isolated ascetics Gelugpa monastery at the summit of a narrow valley
Basgo Gompa with original xvi c. murals and statues.
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Hemis Gompa
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Phyang Gompa looking like a huge palace.
Spituk Gompa stands prominently on the top of a hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus valley unfortunately ruined by the presence of Leh airport.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa no longer inhabited, it forms a part of the Leh palace complex.
Lamayouro monastery |
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Sankar Gompa a relatively recent monastery very close to Leh.
Stok Gompa within the complex of the last royal palace, Stok has a museum which displays exquisite thankas representing the life of Sakya Muni and interesting historical objects.
Shey Gompa set upon a hill has a two-storied statue of Buddha in copper and gold.
Thiksey Gompa, spectacularly sited, Thikse is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompas. The Thiksey monastery provides a panoramic view of the green Indus Valley. It has several temples and an exquisite statue of Buddha.
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Stakna Gompa
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Stakna Gompa on a high isolated rock close to the Indus river.
Matho Gompa on the opposite bank of the Indus with an annual festival of oracles.
The picturesque Chemrey Gompa and Tak Tok gompa in the valley leading to Changla.
Hemis Gompa Ladakh biggest monastery famous for its festival.
Thiksey Gompa |
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