Description of The Monastery and Its Surroundings
The monastery is situated between three mountains. Mount Zhidag to the north is the "white" residence of the ancient Bonpo protector of the earth, Shidrak, at the foot of which is the Dalai Lamas' residence. Higher up are the remains of a temple in which is the footprint of Damchen Choje, the 'Dharma Protector Bound to Service'. Above this was the now-destroyed meditation cave of the 2nd Dalai Lama, although his footprint in stone has survived in a mani wall. The mountain to the south, Shridevi, is the "blue" residence of the Protectress Palden Lhamo on which the dundro or sky burial site is located, and to the east, Mount Begtse, the "red" mountain residence of Protector Begtse, or Chamsing, who was imported by the Gelugpa from Mongolia. On the eastern slope of this mountain is an ancient interdenominational Red Hat gompa called Nyingsaka (composed from: Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu).
The monastery is in the upper Metoktang Valley in the old province of Dakpo at the "geomantically powerful confluence of three rivers."
The monastery was originally built in a triangular form to reflect the symbolism of its position at the confluence of three rivers and surrounded by three mountains and also represents the conjunction of the three elements of water, earth and fire, as well as the female principle of Palden Lhamo in the form of an inverted triangle. The ruins, with their massive walls include two monastic colleges or dratsangs and two large temples, the Lukhang and Tsuklakhang.
At the centre of the monastery complex there is a small pillar engraved with sutras and a Buddhist swastika. The Lukhang, to the west of this, is the temple of the Serpent Protectors, which was built over the original hermitage of the 2nd Dalai Lama. It is said to have been built by red eagles (kyungka, garudas). On the walls of the main temple, the Tsuklakang to the north, damaged murals can still be seen. This used to house a large statue of Mipam Gompo which dated back to the founding of the monastery.
South of the walls is the Shinje Melong or 'Mirror of the Lord of Death' - a polished grey granite stone in which it is said horoscopes may be read as in a crystal ball, and is also used in rain-making ceremonies.
Read more about this topic: Chokorgyel Monastery
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