Shigatse, Tibet

In the 15th century, Panchen Zangpo Tashi, the predecessor of Gangchen Rinpoche who was the disciple of the 1st Dalai Lama, founded Gangchen Monastery, which was famous for preserving precious and sacred tantric teachings and known for its miracles.

The small town of Gangchen is situated in one of the driest areas of Tibet and to this day, the local population have to acquire water from a tiny well. It is said that centuries ago, Lama Gangchen – known then as the great master Panchen Zangpo Tashi – miraculously manifested this well from the rocks.

Under Gangchen Rinpoche’s care over several incarnations, Gangchen Monastery became a thriving monastic community of 350 monks until 1959, when the monastery was destroyed. However, generous donations in recent years from Western friends have allowed the rebuilding of the monastery to begin immediately.

The local people, monks from Tashi Lhumpo Monastery and a skilled team of builders from the nearby city of Shigatse made strong and fast headway in the reconstruction of this monastery. The construction progressed at a miraculous speed due to the dedication of these people. The restoration works on the monastery have brought the local Tibetan community together and revived the sleepy village of Gangchen and surrounding areas.

This revival of Gangchen Monastery has been accomplished with the sole intention of preserving the ancient tradition through the study and practice of Buddha’s teachings.

The main building of the monastery, which has four floors built in stone and wood, was completed first. The external walls and windows were painted with traditional, ornamental designs and the interior of the prayer hall was painted with beautiful, traditional murals of Buddha Shakyamuni’s life story, along with various thangkas of the great masters of the past.

Plans are now underway for the printing of numerous sacred Buddhist texts to be stored in this monastery. A small long-life stupa was also built for Gangchen Rinpoche who has been taking care of this monastery for over 400 years, from incarnation to incarnation. When the monastery was completed, it was offered to Gangchen Rinpoche who consecrated the building.

One of the monastery’s chapels houses a large statue of Buddha Shakyamuni (two floors high), which was consecrated and filled with precious substances by Gangchen Rinpoche, the young Brazilian Lama Michel and the nine-year-old Panchen Otrul Rinpoche recognized as one of the manifestations of H.H. the 10th Panchen Lama who entered clear light in 1989.