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Trandruk Monastery

Built in 7th century, Trandruk Monastery is the first Buddhist chapel in Tibet. It houses a precious pearl Thangka brought here by Princess Wencheng. This Thangka is inlaid of thousands of pearls and hundreds of other gems. Located 5 kilometers south of Tsedang, the monastery is on the road leading to Yumbu Lakhang, the first palace in Tibet.

The Trandruk Monastery comprises two main buildings: the Naiding Lakang (a chapel) and the Main Assembly Hall (also called Tshomchen). Consisting of two floors, the Naiding Lakang is said to be the oldest chapel in the monastery. On the first floor is enshrined the statue of Songtsen Gampo, and Padmasambhava and other Buddhas are worshiped on the second floor. The Tshomchen is composed of the courtyard, the Great Hall and the cloister around it. On the walls of the cloister were painted murals and the images of Lobsang Gyatso who was the fifth Dalai Lama and other famous hierarchs. There are 12 Buddhist chapels in the Great Hall. The Cuoqing Lakang is the main chapel. In the chapel is enshrined the statue of Sakyamuni and other two Buddhas with ten Bronze Bodhisattvas flanked on the left and right. On the second floor of the Great Hall are the dwelling of Dalai Lama and some other chapels.

Legend has it that Padmasambhava and other Buddhist hierarchs once practiced Buddhism near the Trandruk Monastery, which made the monastery renowned. Many pilgrims are attracted to come to the monastery to worship.