«Yung-dung Thapa Ling», popularly known as Yuru Gonpa,
belongs to the Drikungpa branch of the Kagyudpa order. The Drikungpa School
is named after the monastery of Drikung in Tibet, which was founded by Skyoba
Jigten Gonpo (1143-1212). This order traces its origin backs to two Indian
Tantric masters, Tilopa & his disciple Naropa.
It is said that once the whole valley was under a Lake's
water, Nimagon, an Arahat prayed thus : «May a monastery be founded in this
place». He offered votive water offerings (chutor) to the Naga Serpent Spirits
of the water, & caused the lake's water to drain out. The grains of corn
offered to the water spirits mysteriously grew into the share of a Yung-dung
(Swastika). When a monastery was later founded here, it was called Yung-dung
Gonpa.
In the late 10th century, Naropa came to this place.
The cave where Naropa meditated is inside the Du-Khang.
Rintchen Zangpo, the translator, built many temples &
stupas & the teaching of Kadampa School came to flourish here, king Jamyang
Namgyal offered it to Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh, the rituals
& observance of the Drikung Kagyu School were introduce & the monastery
got his new name of «Yung-dung Tharpa Ling» (place of freedom) as in the 16th
century, the monastery was declared a holy site where even criminals could
seek sanctury.
Singge gang, at the southern end of the rock is the most
ancient part of the monastery. The principal image is that of Jamayang (God
of Wisdom), on his right is the blue Tara, & on his left is the yellow
Tara. The figure above the blue Tara represents Tse-pag-med (Amitayus). Garuda
is placed above the whole group of image
In a side Chapel of the Singge gang temple there are
the images of Paldam Lhamo & Gonbo (Mahakala). The library Hall containts
the stucco statues of Naropa and other Kagyupa Lamas like Tilopa, Marpa &
Milarepa.
The main image in the monastery is a well preserved Vairocana.
Yuru Kabgyat, the three-day annual festival of the Monastery is held from
the 21th to the 29th of the second tibetan month.
Moorcraft in 1820, found letters of Protection & exemption from forced
labour & revenue taxes issued to the monastery by Mughal King Aurangzed
& even by one of the Balti King.
By Courtesy of Deptt of Tourism, Leh, Ladakh, India
In
this monastery, there is no :
Electricity,
telephone, car, food,
The
monks go to look after food in others villages…
The
most of the monks sleep downstair,
There
is no table, no chairs for the school
The
monastery building is very old, there is no glass on the windows,
They
don’t have any heating…
So,
You
can help Lamayuru Monastery and his 200 lamas : it's very auspicious,
Please send your financial help to :
FRANCE HIMALAYA TIERS-MONDE
19 RUE ERIDAN
91100 VILLABE
FRANCE
E-mail : drikung.kagyu@free.fr
Thanks for them !!!
Please, if you speak french, see our website : http://drikung.kagyu.free.fr