Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t35: dpal yul dgon
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t35
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dpal yul dgon
v1.c7.s3.t35.1
Dpal Yul Dgon is a well-known temple of rnying ma pa of Tibetan Buddhism and is located in present day Baiyu County in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
v1.c7.s3.t35.2
In 1675, chieftain Dege built a Buddhist monastery to house local monks at his territory of dpal yul rnam rgyal rtse. This was named as Bai yu nan jie chiang qu lin shi (dpal yul rnam rtyal byang chub gling) and was also known as dpal yul byang chub gling or dpal yul dog in short. After the monastery began to take shape, a quota of about 500 monks was fixed for it. Further, rig vzin kun bzang shes rab (1636-1698 CE) was engaged as the chief abbot to improve teaching of complete precepts from getsul to gelong, and impose canon of abstaining from meat and drink.
v1.c7.s3.t35.3
The Buddhist lineage originated from Kah thog and converted to mkhav vgro yang tig afterwards. Meanwhile, it learned from the teaching of dusgsummkhyen-pa chos-kyi grags-pa and founded its own teaching and ritual practices and became renowned as two Buddhist lineage of Kah thog in Kham and dpal yul dog. Additionally, rig vdzin mi vgyur rdo rje attained enlightenment as to gnam chos thugs kyi gter kha of zab mo dag snang gi brgyud pa lineage during meditation. Founding a Buddhist *dharma* lineage inherited and preached by dpal yul dog, he taught thereafter. Therefore, dpal yul dog had an influence on numerous temples of rnying ma pa. In the heyday, it housed 3,000 monks and had hundreds of branch temples across Kham, Amdo and dBus.
v1.c7.s3.t35.4
Dpal yul dog worships pad ma vbyung gnas as patriarch and yi dam of Tantra in Tantric teachings and ritual practice field and erected a large pad ma vbyung gnas statue in each hall. Additionally, monks are committed to preaching and practising rdzogs pa chen po, showing dpal yul dog forging a close-knit link with Indian Buddhist culture.
v1.c7.s3.t35.5
*The exterior of the Saike Temple, Qinghai, China*
v1.c7.s3.t35.6
The exterior of the main hall of the Baiyu Monastery at Ganzi (Garze/Kandze), Qinghai, China
v1.c7.s3.t35.7
(*Kalsang gyal*)