Chimphu hermitage, (towards) Tsetang, Xizang, CN

Raw data

Chim-puk Hermitage is located on the mountainside of Narui Mountain, 15 kilometers away from northeast of Samye Monastery. It is at the altitude of 4300 meters. […] The valley where Chim-puk is located in is in the shape of "n". The valley is surrounded on three sides of mountain. […] Now, the Chim-puk Hermitage has become one of attractive resort in the hearts of pilgrims and travelers.
[…] there is a large amount of historical relics treasured in Chim-puk Hermitage, such as the 108 caves where Padmasambhava, Trison Detsen, Pairuozhana and other celebrities in Tubo Period and some pious believers ever practiced in. Due to the long history, most caves have been buried or destroyed. The existent is about 40 caves.
At Chim-puk Hermitage, there is a large amount of Cliffside images which were carved by Longqinrao Jiangba (1308 – 1363) who was famous Lama of Nyingma Sect in early of 14th century. The soul tower of Longqinral Jiangba is the stele which was set up by building the pagoda.” - http://www.tibettour.com/tibet-attraction/chim-puk-hermitage.html

Input by: tmciolek, Feb 13, 2013

“Samye Chimpu - Hermitage cave complex (chin.: Qingpu Si), a cave monastery with about 50 to 100 monks and nuns. Chimpu was established by king Trisong Detsen in the 8th century. Guru Rinpoche lived here with his consort Yeshe Tsogyal. It was one of his Eight Supreme Sanctuaries. […] Coordinates:   29°22'47"N   91°33'9"E [= Lat 29.37972 Long 91.5525 - tmciolek] - http://wikimapia.org/12968784/Samye-Chimpu

"Chimphu is located near Samye Monastery, south east of Lhasa, in Tibet. Padmasambhava meditated in caves there in the 8th century, and since then it has been one of the most sacred retreat sites in Tibet, favored by the likes of Longchenpa [(1308–1364)- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longchenpa - tmciolek], Jigme Lingpa [(1729–1798) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigme_Lingpa - tmciolek] and many others. This video is from our visit in June, 2007" http://wn.com/chimphu_hermitage

Name Chimphu
Period late 8th century until present
Transliteration form 'chims phu, 'chims phu bsam yas
Pronunciation Chimpu
Etymology upper part of the Chim ravine
Location about 8 km northeast of Samyé
Lat/Long 29.350/91.556
[…]
While the Blue Annals does not provide an exact date for the foundation of the Chimphu hermitage, it was established sometime during the reign of King Trisong Detsen (khri srong lde btsan, 755-797) following the foundation of Samyé monastery. Chimphu is referred to throughout the Blue Annals as a place visited by important figures and used by them as a place of retreat. It is well-known for having been the one of the sites of Guru Rinpoché's (Padmasambhava's) meditation, and there are many caves which also served as meditation sites for other famous figures in Tibetan history. Among the major figures are Atisa, Sakyasribhadra [who has visited Tibet 1204 to 1214 - www.jstor.org/stable/606165 - tmciolek], the great translator Sönam Gyatso (bsod nams rgya mtsho) [(1543–1588) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Dalai_Lama - tmciolek], and the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorjé (rang byung rdo rje) [(1284–1339) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangjung_Dorje,_3rd_Karmapa_Lama - tmciolek]. Furthermore, Chimphu frequently appears in association with terma and the transmission of secret teachings. For example, it is reported that Zhang Trashi Dorjé (zhang bkra shis rdo rje) [Shangtun Trashi Dorje (1000s - 1100s) - http://www.himalayanart.org/acip/image.cfm/710.html - tmciolek] discovered teachings hidden by "Vimala himself" at Chimphu (R 194) and it is mentioned that Atisa bestowed on Drom ('brom) many "hidden precepts" (R 261) there. […]
[A passage] from the Blue Annals […] R 44 - From the Hare year (yos lo, 787 A.D.) till the Sheep year (lug lo, 791 A.D.), the king built the vihara, together with its branch temples , and the wall.” - https://collab.itc.virginia.edu/wiki/renaissanceold/Chimphu%20(mchims%20phu).html
Input by: tmciolek, Feb 14, 2013

A place of meditation of Jihu, Padmasambhava and other eminent monks - http://english.dreams-travel.com/guide/tibet/tibeshannan-Chimpu.htm
Input by: tmciolek, Feb 14, 2013

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 15 Sep 2013

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Chimphu hermitage, CN.

General location of the Chimphu hermitage, CN.
Lat 29.37432 Long 91.54854
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2013.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=29.37432+91.54854+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Chimphu%20hermitage,%20CN)&ll=29.37432,91.54854&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en

Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • China:Xizang Zizhiqu

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names

4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

  • Approx. Lat 29.37432 Long 91.54854 - based on visual identification of the site in maps/satellite imagery, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 13 Feb 2013.

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries

6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village

7. The settlement's alternative/historical names

8. The settlement's coordinates

9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition

  • Initially Mahayana?, later Vajrayana

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

  • [missing data]

11. Date-early

  • MBM chrono-tag: 0767-99c - tmciolek 15 Sep 2013
  • 0767-99c 0800-32c 0833-66c 0867-99c 0900-32c 0933-66c 0967-99c 1000-32c 1033-66c 1067-99c 1100-32c 1133-66c 1167-99c 1200=> dated-el

12. Date-intermediate

  • [missing data]

13. Date-late

MBM chrono-tag: 1200=> - tmciolek 14 Feb 2013

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • [missing data]

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • [missing data]

16. Additional notes

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

  • [missing data]

18. Available Printed Literature

  • [bibliographical details of the Book/Article 1]
  • [bibliographical details of the Book/Article 2]
  • [bibliographical details of the Book/Article 3]

end of page

0767-99c0800-32c0833-66c0867-99c0900-32c0933-66c0967-99c1000-32c1033-66c1067-99c1100-32c1133-66c1167-99c1200=>200mccavechinadated-elhermitagepilgrimageplacesouth-asiatibettrad.vajrayanaven.atishaven.dromtönven.jihuven.padmasambhavaven.trashidorjewestern-china
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