Changlei Monastery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Changlei Holy Mountain is located in Yingbolo of Barkam. The surrounding terrain forms a bowl-shaped highland valley. The 83-hectare monastic complex is situated near the center of this area.
| Changlei Monastery | |
|---|---|
Panorama of Changlei Monastery | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
| Sect | Nyingma |
| Leadership | Karma Rinpoche |
| Location | |
| Location | Barkam, Ngawa, Sichuan |
| Country | China |
  Location within China | |
| Coordinates | 31°54′28″N 102°09′36″E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Tibetan Buddhist monastery |
| Founder | Shire Jangtsen (The reincarnation of Yudra Nyingpo) |
| Established | 13th century CE |
| Website | |
| http://www.changleisi.com/ | |
According to traditional accounts, in the 8th century CE, the master Vairotsana and the yogi Yudra Nyingpo resided in this region and transmitted Dharma teachings.[1]
Around the 13th century CE, the reincarnation of Yudra Nyingpo — Shire Jangtsen — built a retreat hut on Mount Yingbolo, which later developed into a small monastery. This is regarded as the origin of Changlei Monastery.[2]
Between 1966 and 1976, Changlei Monastery was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, leaving only partial ruins.[3]
After 1980, under the leadership of Tulku Yanban Shire Jangtsen (Karma Rinpoche), rebuilding efforts began, leading to the establishment of the present monastery complex.[4][5]
The Small Scripture Hall of Changlei Monastery was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit (the eighth batch) in Sichuan in 2012.[6]
Location
Changlei Monastery is located on Changlei Holy Mountain in Ngawa Prefecture, Barkam City, Sichuan Province, China.
1. Administrative Division
The monastery is under the jurisdiction of Barkam City.[7][8] It is one of several Nyingma monasteries in the region.[9]
2. Physical Geography
- Located at an elevation of about 3,500 meters on the slopes of Changlei Mountain, overlooking Barkam City and the Suomo River Gorge.
- Situated on the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, characterized by alpine terrain, a cold and humid climate, and seasonal vegetation changes.
3. Transportation
Architecture
Changlei Monastery’s layout follows the mountain slope, with structures arranged across multiple terraces. The complex includes temples, a Buddhist institute, a retreat area, and a museum.[10][11]
Main facilities include:
- Old Monastery
- Avalokiteśvara Hall
- Śākyamuni Hall
- Buddhist Institute
- Retreat Center
- Changlei Museum
- Grand Hall Library
Teachers and Lamas
Changlei Monastery hosts over 500 resident monks. Principal teachers include:
- Karma Rinpoche (Yanban Shire Jangtsen)[12][13]
- Khenchen Gongsang Rinpoche
- Khenpo Agen
Dharma Teachings
The monastery regularly offers Dharma lectures, retreats, and annual prayer ceremonies. Teachings are published on its official website and related platforms. Topics include:
- Mind cultivation practices
- Preliminary practices of Dzogchen
- Application of Buddhist teachings in daily life
- Live-streamed ceremonies and Q&A sessions
- Annual festivals
Recordings and written materials are also compiled for practitioners.[14]
Additional interviews and teachings by Karma Rinpoche are available on external Dharma platforms.[15][16][17][18][19]
Dharma Activities
Annual ceremonies at Changlei Monastery include:
- During Lunar New Year: Phowa empowerment and group practice
- January: Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Puja
- May: Commemoration of the late master Tuden Chokyi Zhaba
- June: Annual celebration of Guru Rinpoche’s birthday
- November: Vajrasattva Winter Practice Puja
Gallery
Aerial view of Changlie Monastery, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan.
Partial view of Changlie Monastic College, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan
Partial view of the 800-year-old monastery at Changlie Monastery
Eye-level view of the Shakyamuni statue
Upward View of the Avalokiteśvara Hall Statue
Exterior View of the Grand Sutra Hall, Changlie Monastery
The world’s largest Padmasambhava statue under construction
