Trekking in Ladakh >>Ladakh Monasteries Tour >> Lamayuru Gompa
A detailed examination of the Gomaps here was relatively little ot yield except of the most dedicated enthusiast. Given the extraordinary, almost uncanny, nature of the geological formations surrounding it, it is not surprising to know that Lamayuru( properly called Yung-Drung, signifying Swastika) is reputedly one of the oldest religious sites in Ladakh, sacred long before the advent of Buddhism to the primitive animistic religion, the Bon-Chos.
Tradition has it that the Buddhist monastery, which is today affiliated to the Dri-gung-pa, was founded by the sage Naropa during his wanderings. A more credible tradition associating the oldest of the temples with Rinchen Zang po is buttressed by its murals which, although in poor condition, are squarely in the same manner as those at Alchi. The focal image is a well-preserved Vairocana, central of the five Dhyani Buddhas, whose cult was characteristic of Rinchen's period. His four companions occupy subordinate positions.
This temple is situated away from the main complex, down narrow alleys and steep flights of steps; the main Du-Khang at the level of the entrance in builtaround the cave where Naropa is said to have mediated, and which contains images of the sage and of his disciples Marpa and Mila-Respa. The wall has fairly recent paintings, and |
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the main image is
of Jigsten Gonbo, founder of the Dri-gung-pa. The other main feature of interest is a butter-sculpture, a Tibetan art-from relatively little practiced in Ladakh. A small temple on a higher level has another one, allegedly a century old images of Marpa and Mila-Repsa and three silver chorten.
