Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t23.2

v1.c7.s3.t23.2

In 8th century CE, Trisong Detsen (reigned 742-798 CE), the 38th ruler (King) of Tibetan Empire invited eminent Indian Buddhist master Santaraksita to Tibet for the second time to build standard Buddhist monastery, conduct the tonsure for monks and nuns and spread the Dharma and ritual. Without extensive mass base of Buddhism believers, it was not easy to build a Buddhist monastery in Tibet at that time. Under such circumstances, Trisong Detsen took all kinds of measures and eventually Buddhism was accepted by Tibetan people. Under the direction of Santaraksita and Padmasambhava, the ground-breaking ceremony was held in 774 CE and the construction of the monastery began. After five years of concerted efforts of Tibetan people and investment of a large number of manpower and material the construction was completed in 778 CE. Santaraksita and Padmasambhava held a grand consecration ceremony for the monastery.