Tradruk monastery, (near) Zetang, Xizang, CN

Raw data

Tradruk Temple, also written Changzhug Monastery
"Changzhug Monastery is the largest and most important of the surviving royal foundations in the Yarlung Valley. It is said to have been founded in the 7th century under king Songtsen Gampo. […] Tradruk is said to have been the second of Tibet's earliest great geomantric temples after the Jokhang, and some sources even place it earlier. Under the rule of Trisong Detsen (755–797) and Muné Tsenpo, Tradruk was one of the three royal monasteries.
During the persecution of Buddhism under Langdarma (glang dar ma, 841–846) and during the Mongol invasion from Junggaria (northern modern Xinjiang) in the 16th century, the monastery was heavily damaged."
Lat 29.193889, Long 91.771944
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changzhug

“Changzhug Monastery is the largest and most important of the surviving royal foundations in the Yarlung Valley.[4] It is said to have been founded in the 7th century under king Songtsen Gampo.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changzhug

"Tandruk Monastery (Changzhug)
Built in the 7th century as a small-scale copy of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa *). Partially destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (not the building). The fittings of the monastery were restored in 1988. Chin. 昌珠寺.
*) Source: Victor Chan, Tibet Handbook [1994 by Avalon Travel Publishing - tmciolek] page 533." - http://wikimapia.org/10552494/Tandruk-Monastery-Changzhug

"Is Tandruk monastery older than the Lhasa Jokhang?
As Prof. Per Soerensen has shown in his important study of Tandruk monastery, "Thundering Falcon" (Vienna 2005) [reference, tmciolek], there is a Tibetan tradition that claims Tandruk, not the Lhasa Jokhang was the first Buddhist temple constructed in Tibet. Tibetan tradition implies that Lhasa Jokhang imply that the Jokhang was started first, but in order to complete the work, 12 temples had to be erected at strategic positions to pin down a demoness, of which Tandruk was one. So according to these sources, the Jokhang construction may have begun first, while Tandruk may have been completed first. However, Prof. Soerensen's study makes clear that there may have been earlier, different traditions that have been superseeded. Unfortunately, unlike at the Jokhang, nothing of great age has survived at Tandruk. There are also no contemporary sources available for the founding of Tandruk. Therefore the age of Tandruk remains unproven, but according to Tibetan tradition both Tandruk and Lhasa Jokhang belong to the first Buddhist temples erected in Tibet."
http://www.tibetheritagefund.org/pages/research/about-temples-of-lhasa.php

"Standing by the highway on the east bank of the Yalong River in Nedong County, Shannan Prefecture, this monastery was built in the seventh century and has been repaired in various historical periods. A legend says after Songtsan Gambo established its capital in Lhasa, he came and stayed here together with Princess Wen Cheng who planted the willow trees around the monastery."
http://www.tibettravel.org/tibettravel/Html/200632415813-1.html

"As the legend Master Padmasambhava and Milarepa, and other well-known Buddhist monks have Changzhug in the vicinity of self-cultivation, the site is still in its self-cultivation, the area is still Changzhug many Buddhists worship of the Holy Land."
http://china-tourism-landscape.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/changzhug-chinese-tourism-scenic-spots.html
Input by: tmciolek, Aug 2, 2012

"Traduk temple or monastery was initially established in 641 A.D by the greatest 33rd king Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, the name derived from two of meanings which are Tra (literal meaning for falcon) and Duk (dragon in Tibetan language). The temple is the earliest of Tibet’s great geomantic temples apart from the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, after assassination of the king Lang Dharma the temple was renovated and expanded in 1351 and later by 5th Dalai Lama, who added the golden roof. Later in the 18th century there are around 21 temples and again in 1988 according to the local peoples the monastery once again renovated. The monastery situated near the Yumbu Lhakhang in Tsedang with two floors and many chapels." - http://www.tibetexploretour.com/sightsports3_298_55.shtml
Input by: tmciolek, 16 Jan 2013

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 16 Jan 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 Tradruk monastery, CN.

General location of the Tradruk monastery, CN.
Lat 29.1939, Long 91.7719
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2012.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=29.1939+91.7719+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Tradruk%20monastery,%20CN)&ll=29.1939,91.7719&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


5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries

  • [missing data]

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 0633-66c - tmciolek 16 Jan 2013
  • 0633-66c 0667-99c 0700-32c 0733-66c 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


13. Date-late

  • The monastery appears to be active in 2012 - tmciolek, Aug 2012.
  • MBM chrono-tag 1200=> - tmciolek 16 Jan 2013

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries


15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • Architecture, oral tradition

16. Additional notes

  • [missing data] (incl. details of the size of the monastic population)

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

  • [missing data]

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