1) Dharamshala
The Namgyal Monastery with the Centre of Tibetan Studies, is known as little
Lhasa and is a major attraction in McLeodganj This cathedral opposite the DakauLama's
residence, resembles the center of the one in Lhasa and is a 5minute walk from
the main bazaar. It contains large gilded bronzes of Buddha, Avalokitesvara
and Padmasam-bhava.Dalai Lamas often leads the prayers when he is in residence
and if you sign up at the secutity office an audience with him is possible.
The othert major attraction is the Church of St. John in - the wilderness which
has attractive stained glass windows. Lord Elgin, one of the few viceroys of
British occupied India, to die in office, is buried here, according to his last
wish, as it reminded him of his beloved native Scotland. The Nechung Mmonastery
in Lgangchen Kyishobn has Tibetan libnrary lwith a good rang of books, magazines
& photo-copying facilities and a museum.The central Tibetan Administration
Offices are located here and you can also attend lectures & classes on Tibetan
culture and Buddhism.
2) Lahaul
Oldest Gompha :- Based at Keylong, visit Buddhist gompas and savour nature's
spectacular sights. Some suggestions are Guru Ghantal (8km) regarded the oldest
gompa in Lahaul and said to have been founded by the religious leader Padmasambhava
in the 8th century.
3) Spiti
A great impetus came when king Trison Detsen (Khri-Sron-Ide-bTsan, 755-797 AD)
of Tibet embraced the teachings of the Buddha. He sent to India for great masters
like Santarakshta and the famous teacher and 'tantric', Padmasambhava. Under
Pdmasambhava's influence, Mahayana Buddhism, the 'Greater Vehicle' fanned over
the world's highest plateaux. Known to the Tibetans as Guru or Orgian Rimpche,
the Precious Master, Padasambhava began the synthesis of Mahayana practices,
'yogic tantricism' , and the native Bon religion-retaining a large measure of
its nature worship and demonolatry. The combine of ritual, fiath and philosophic
content created what we recognize today as Vajrayana Bhddhism, the "thunderbolt
Vehicle".
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