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Trankdruk Monastery
The monastery is famous throughout Tibet
since it was the first Buddhist chapel ever built in Tibet.
It lies five kilometers (three miles) south of Tsedang on
the road leading to Yumbu Lakhang. Built approximately under
the reign of Songtsen Gampo, Trandruk later experienced
large-scale reconstruction after it converted to Gelugpa.
Legend said that it was only after Songtsen Gampo turned
into a roc to conquer an evil dragon that it could be built
there, which is the origin of its name, meaning a roc conquering
a dragon. Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng always visited
the monastery after they moved to Lhasa. An apartment believed
to be their lodgings during their visits in Trandruk is
still left, however restoration is badly needed since it
is in poor condition. Princess Wencheng left many willow
trees around the monastery.
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The main building in Trandruk is its Tshomchen,
in which Padmasambhava is enshrined. The Jokhang like building
has many chapels, in one of which a precious pearl Thangka,
representing Chenrezi in rest, is housed. The Thangka is
made of about 30,000 pearls and hundreds of other gems like
diamond, sapphire, turquoise, ruby and amber. Pilgrims throw
money to the thangka to show their respect.
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