Drongtse Monastery

Drongtse Monastery, also known by its Pinyin name Zhongze, was historically one of the most important monasteries of the Gelug school in the Tsang region of Tibet. Situated approximately 19 km northwest of Gyantse and 14 km north of Tsechen Monastery, it held a prominent position prior to its near-total destruction during the Cultural Revolution.

History and Restoration

The monastery, originally a four-storied structure perched on a rocky eminence, was visited by Sarat Chandra Das in 1881, who noted its wall was already partly ruined. While the exact founding date remains undocumented, some historical accounts attribute its establishment to Lhatsun Chenpo (Je Lha-tsun), with other sources suggesting Rinchen Gyatso founded it in the same year, fulfilling a prophecy. Later, it was adopted as a branch monastery of Tashilhunpo. The monastery was also the birthplace of Lobsang Palden Chophel, known as the Sengchen ('Lion') Lama. Figures such as the Thirty-Second Ganden Tripa, Tsultrim Chopel, and Lobzang Tsultrim received their monastic education at Drongtse.

Notable Features and Current State

Drongtse Monastery's congregation hall (du-khang) was capable of seating about eighty monks and contained significant religious artifacts. Among these was a very old gilt image of Jowo Shakyamuni, reputedly a copy made by an Indian artist of the revered image in Lhasa's Jokhang Temple. The hall also housed a painting depicting the 5th Dalai Lama receiving political authority over Tibet from the Mongol conqueror Güshi Khan after the deposition of the king of Tsang in 1642. Behind the monastery, a small chapel features rock-carved images of Padmasambhava, Tara, and Amitayus, among other deities. Despite extensive damage during the Cultural Revolution, Drongtse Monastery has undergone partial restoration. The Assembly Hall was rebuilt in the 1980s, though many of the main buildings continue to be in a state of ruin.