Rinchenling monastery

Rinchenling Gompa Monastery
Religion
AffiliationTibetan Buddhism
Location
LocationHumla, Nepal
Rinchenling monastery is located in Nepal
Rinchenling monastery
Shown within Nepal
Geographic coordinates30°17′N 81°39′E / 30.29°N 81.65°E / 30.29; 81.65

Rinchenling Gompa (monastery) is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Nepal located in Limi Valley of Humla district near the Tibet border at an altitude of about 3500 m msl. [1][2]

History

The monastery was founded by Rinchen Zangpo during 10th or 11th century AD. Rinchen Zangpo was a principle translator of the Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into the Tibetan language. He actively constructed Buddhist temples and monasteries during his lifetime. Legends say that Rinchen Zangpo built a total of 108 temples.[1]

Current building

The monastery is a three-store building with an area of about 36 m x 32 m surrounded by a rectangular courtyard. The upper two stories have assembly halls, a library, and a store room. The monks’ quarters, kitchens, and store rooms for ordinary objects are on the ground floor.[citation needed] The assembly room in the northern side houses a large four-fold image of Vairocana surrounded on its three sides by bodhisattvas. [3]

Flood risk

The monastery has a flood risk from the nearby glacial lake. In 2011, it partially burst, which caused damage to many structures in Halji Village. [1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Rinchenling Gompa". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  2. ^ Vallangi, Neelima (2019-02-23). "This remote Tibetan valley in Nepal looks to India and China for sustenance". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  3. ^ "Humla, Nepal 2014". Retrieved 2020-08-21.