Ramoche Temple

Ramoche Temple is a significant Buddhist monastery located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Its origins trace back to the seventh century, establishing it as one of the oldest and most important religious sites in the city, second only to the Jokhang Temple in prominence. The temple occupies an area of approximately 4,000 square meters and is situated in the northwestern part of Lhasa, strategically positioned east of the Potala Palace and north of the Jokhang Temple.

History and Significance

The history of Ramoche Temple is marked by periods of destruction and subsequent rebuilding. The original temple structure was lost to fire, leading to its reconstruction in 1474 as a three-storied building. Following this reconstruction, it became the Assembly Hall for the Gyuto Order, also known as the Upper Tantric College of Lhasa, and was home to a community of around 500 monks. This role underscore its importance as a center for tantric Buddhist studies and practice.

Destruction and Restoration

Ramoche Temple faced significant destruction in 1959 during the Lhasa uprising against Chinese occupation. The temple was gutted by fire, and a valuable bronze statue of the Buddha, brought to Lhasa by the Nepalese queen Bhrikuti, disappeared. Fortunately, the lower part of the statue was reportedly found in a Lhasa rubbish tip in 1983, with the upper half discovered in Beijing. Through the dedicated efforts of Ri 'bur sprul sku, these parts were rejoined at Ramoche Temple, and the site itself underwent partial restoration in 1986. A major restoration effort in the same year resulted in the temple regaining its three-story structure. Modern features include ten pillars near the entrance displaying local relics and symbols, a scripture hall and Buddha palace on the first floor, residential areas and a chapel on the second, and sleeping quarters reserved for the Dalai Lama on the third floor.