Tsur Lhalung monastery, (near) Marqu, Xizang, CN

Raw data

“Gompa Tsultrim Nyingpo  b.1116 - d.1169, aka Gomtsul Tsultrim Nyingpo […] founded a monastery named Tsur Lhalung in Tolung.” - http://dev.treasuryoflives.org/tradition/Marpa-Kagyu

Tsur-lhalung, in Tolung valley, not far from Lhasa - Davidson (2005:328). It was built around 1160 - Davidson (2005:327)

Input by: tmciolek, Mar 12, 2013

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 12 Mar 2013

Conjectural placement of the Shar Yelphuk monastery near the town of Marqu 

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 20 km from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Tsur Lhalung monastery, CN.

General location of the Tsur Lhalung monastery, CN.
Lat 29.75092 Long 90.67152
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2013.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=29.75092+90.67152+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Tsur%20Lhalung%20monastery,%20CN)&ll=29.75092,90.67152&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

  • Tsur-lhalung - Davidson (2005:328)

4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

  • There are a number of possible sites that could be associated with the little known Tsur Lalung monastery. Within the Tolung valley itself there are three sites, which potentially could be of interest:
  • Lat 29.72359 Long 90.56716 - ruins decorated with lines of prayer flags, next to the road 1 km SW of the Tsurphu monastery
  • Lat 29.72649 Long 90.58784 - mansion with a large walled garden, next to the road, 1.5 km E of the Tsurphu monastery
  • Lat 29.72901 Long 90.60780 - ruins of an extensive set of buildings, 200 m N of the road, 3 km E of the Tsurphu monastery.
  • However, Tsurpu monastery, one that has been built after the founding of the Tsur Lhalung is situated much too close to the above locations. Therefore, an alternative place of the Tsur Lhalung needs to be found in the vicinity of the Tolung Valley. A quich search reveals that such a place might be the one which is situated in an unnamed, smaller valley that branches north from the Tolung Valley. The coordinates of the place are:
  • Lat 29.75092 Long 90.67152 - one small rebuilt building, large set of ruins and a **chorten* This site is S. of a settlement called Lalonglang (perhaps an echo of the word "Lhalung") and in the vicinity of a map marker indicating a monastery/temple called Naijiasi. The chorten is situated approx 3 km NW of the 14th c. Nenang monastery, and about 6 km NE from the Tsurphu monastery.
  • THEREFORE I am inclined to believe that Tsur Lhalung monastery's coordinates are, probably (i.e. subject to future revision):
  • Approx. Lat 29.75092 Long 90.67152 - based on visual identification of the probable Tsur Lhalung site in maps/satellite imagery, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 12 Mar 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

  • Vajrayana

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

11. Date-early

  • Founded by Gomtsul Tsultrim Nyingpo [ven.sultrimnyingpo] circa 1160 - Davidson (2005:327)
  • MBM chrono-tag 1133-66c - tmciolek 12 Mar 2013
  • 1133-66c 1167-99c 1200=> dated-e

12. Date-intermediate

  • [missing data]

13. Date-late

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • [missing data]

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • Architectural

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]

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]

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1133-66c1167-99c1200=>20kmchinaconjecturedated-eplacesect.kagyusouth-asiattibettrad.vajrayanaven.sultrimnyingpowestern-china
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