Jammu & Kashmir Rizong Monastery
Around 40 monks live in this Rizong Monastery who does penance adhering to the strict rules and regulations. Rules relating to the monks are very strict and strict regulations govern their activities and their living habits.
Founded by
Two Lamas viz Lama Tsultim NIma and his son Sras Rinpoche are the incarnates of the monastery.
Description
The monastery Rizong also Yuma Changchubling in Ladakh is in India on the top of a rock side valley on the indus’s northern side and is famous for its disciplined rules and regulations and a nunnery nearby is about 2 kms distance and is known as Jelichun Nunnery and around 20 nuns live here. A local thought is that Guru Padmasambhava was on penance in the caves nearby many years ago, and the other nearby caves account for penance by Lamas from nearby areas, in solitude through one time food on a day supplied by the inmates by way of supply through a small opening window in the cave.
Well before the Monastery came in to existence, say during 1831 monks were trained on Buddhist religion and practice and the disciplined lift structure of monks. It was in 1831 that Lama Tsultim Nima meditating in the Dzong Lung hills came with the idea of a hermitage in the form of a monastery to facilitate the mediation of the monks and to master the Buddha’s preaching’s. Though initially huts made of mud was used for chanting GSO shyong, later they adorned the area with monasteries which paved way for formation of disciplined rules and Vinaya Rules which were formulated for the monks to be followed. Some of the rules can be explained as –
i. Not permitting monks to leave the monastery otherwise than on sickness grounds
ii. Sleep on floors and not on comfort level beds
iii. Not permitting monks to use any items touched or used by any women.
iv. Not permitting monks to leave their area before or after Sun rise or Sun set but to only bring water.
v. Not to own anything (even small things) for themselves.
vi. Not igniting fire in their places
vii. Sharing of anything received by monks from any corner with other inmates of the hermitage.
viii. Three places in and around were covered totally and women were not allowed to sleep at any place in the vicinity of hermitage.
ix. Any mistakes committed by monks will result in the monks’ ouster.
These made the monks more sacred and thus made the hermitages in to a place of worship in days to come for the visitors from Ladakh. Also, many kings gave liberal contributions to upgrade the hermitage and the Ladakh queen has also visited the place. It was during this time that Lama Tsultim Nima decided to go for a bigger monastery since hermitage was too small to accommodate. Lama Tsultim Nima built a big monastery at RI rdzong, which had sufficient water availability, as also fuel supply. Through a drive he collected money for construction of the monastery also, supported by the village masses that provided free labor by undertaking construction work. Many shrines are built inside the monastery in 1831 with three big chambers, out of which two have adorned the Budda’s idol with the third one placed with a Stupa.
Two lamas viz Lama Tsultim Nima along with his son Sras Rinpoche, are consecrated at this monastery and Lama Tultim Nima being the head, normally stays at Manali and his Son Lama lives at Abbot of rgyud Smad Dratsang, who after completing a period of 2 years would be promoted to the rank of Dga-Idan Khirpa, who happens to the chief of all Tibetan scholastics. When these two Lams are not available the entire activities are taken care by other seniors like regular scheduled duties and housekeeping jobs. One can find three groups for the activities viz one group being the Lamas, the other group being Chomos and the last group being the normal Folk groups whose duties are pre defined and spelt.
The Structural arrangement of the monastery contains various chambers, like a Relic Shrine depicting the old relics of the monastery founder, Assembly hall with Buddha’s statue in the middle, a sacred chamber with Mahakala statue, Thin-Chen shrine depicting the life history of Gautam Buddha and other structures viz rie-tzone-khapa, mkhas-drub-rje and rgyal-tsabrje with thirty volumes of their writings, Julichen Nunnery taking care of 26 nuns who take part in the economic activity of the monastery.
Anna Grimshaw who took writing thesis for his PhD also has done research on the Julichang nunnery, who it is said have provided free service on agricultural and animal husbandry areas, to the monastery, with a part of the harvest being shared with the nuns in lieu of year long protection of spiritual contribution and they were provided limited avenue for spiritual prayers too. However, with best contribution of Palmo the cause of nuns was answered and the nunnery was expanded which was in addition to Wakahal nunnery , also paved way for building four more new nunneries in Ladhakh and Zanskar through the auspices of Ladakh’s Nuns Association (LNA) with recognition of Palmo which promotes education, and other requirements of nuns.
Attractions Nearby
Nearby monasteries and tourist spots can be chosen by one while visiting this monastery. The entire view of the monasteries and places are elaborated in the tourist guides and there are several guides who take the tourists across for a pleasant stay and visits. Jammu and Kashmir tourism has several package tours which are user friendly for visiting this monastery.
How to Reach
One has to take flight or train route to reach the city Leh from where they can go through various local conveyance for reaching the monastery. However, one has to be disappointed if they go in search of hotels, lodges or home stas near this monastery. Monks may permit a night’s stay at the monastery though there is difficulty in staying and it is recommended to stay at Leh. Since November brings heavy snowfall, people are advised to visit here during June and September months.
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