Ngor Temple

Ngor Temple, officially known as Ngor Éwam Chöden, is a historically significant monastery situated in the Ü-Tsang province of Tibet, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Shigatse. It holds the distinction of being the second most important gompa (monastery) within the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery serves as the primary religious center for the Ngor school, a major branch that constitutes about eighty-five percent of the broader Sakya tradition.

History and Significance

The origins of the Ngor school are intrinsically linked to Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo (1382-1444 CE), a revered figure who founded this monastery in 1429. Ngor Temple was once celebrated for its extensive collection of Sanskrit texts and its impressive 15th-century Newar-derived paintings. The monastery was structured with numerous colleges and assemblies, though today, only one building, the Lamdre Lhakang, has undergone restoration. Historically, it was home to around 400 monks, a number that has significantly diminished to just a few in the present day. The Ngor school itself is characterized by its balanced approach to tantric practice, emphasizing both study and rigorous ritual and retreat, including lifelong commitments.

Notable Features and Current Status

Below the main lhakang lies a row of 60 stupas that have been renovated, although they are now missing the elaborate mandala paintings that once adorned them. These preserved artworks are now housed in Japan and have been documented. Notable figures associated with Ngor Temple include Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo, the founder, and Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrup, who served as the tenth abbot. The current leader of the Ngor tradition is HE Luding Khenpo, who resides in northern India. While the monastery is a site of historical and religious importance, its operational status is limited, with only a few monks and one restored building.