Samding Monastery, situated on a hill southwest of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, is about 10 kilometers east of Nagarze County, Shannan Region, Tibet. It belongs to Shangpa Kargyu, a branch of Kagyu School in Tibetan Buddhism. Some say it is part of the Bodong tradition, a sub-sect of the Sakya sect..
Seen from afar, Samding Monastery looks like a magnificent castle. At close range, it’s just an ordinary monastery. The main buildings enclose a rectangular courtyard, with a three-story Buddhist chapel, a sutra-chanting hall and a two-story monks’ dormitory along the sides.
Covering an area of around 100 square meters, the sutra-chanting hall is simply decorated but solemn with a few Buddha statues. It is flanked by two small halls. The one that seems to be more interesting and secret is named Tantrism Hall. The interior wall is painted black, with portraits of hideous skeletons and ghosts hanging on it. A statue of Yamāntaka is displayed in the niche, and a chair is placed in front of the niche for the monks to sit and meditate when practicing Tantrism.
Each year in May of the Tibetan calendar, a grand Buddhist ritual for paying tribute to Yamāntaka is held in the Samding Monastery. This religious event is well known in Nagarze, Gyantse and Lhozhag counties. Unfortunately, it is almost unknown to the world outside because of the poor transportation to the monastery. Additionally, in the past, Shangpa Kargyu was discriminated and suppressed.

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Travel Tips
Add: about 10 kilometers east of Nagarze County, Shannan Region, Tibet. of Tibet Region
Entrance Fees: Cny 60
Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00

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