Phuntsoling Monastery

Location: Phuntsoling Village, Lhatse County, Shigatse, about 100 kilometers north of Sakya Monastery
Opening Hours: 8:00-19:00
Admission Fee: Free
How to Get There: Phuntsoling Monastery is about 66 kilometers away from Lazi County and it takes you about 1 hour and 13 minutes to get there by car.
Best Time to Visit: You can actually visit there all year round.

About Phuntsoling Monastery

Phuntsoling Monastery, belonging to the Kagyu Sect, once was the central monastery of the Jonangpa. Kagyu Sect is known for the examination of the nature of emptiness. The greatest scholar of this monastery, Dolopa Sherab Gyaltsen was one of the 1st proponents of the hard-to-grasp notion of shentong, which is roughly based on the idea that the Buddha mind is not ultimately empty, even though all forms are empty illusions. It is one of the key cultural relics protection units in China.

The debate about Shentong has been carried on for 7 centuries. The Gelugpa school did not share the view of Dolpopa’s. In the 17th century, the 5th Dalai Lama suppressed the Jonangpa school, and the Phuntsoling Monastery was forced to be converted into a Gelugpa institution.

In the assembly hall, there stands a statue of Chenresig, accompanied by many other statues including the 10th Panchen Lama, Tsongkhapa, and the 5th Dalai Lama. Also, there are many murals on the roof telling the travelers about the stories of the life of Sakyamuni.

There is a ruined fortification behind the monastery. There you can see the most stunning views of the valley. Seeing so many ruined dzongs on a cliff across the Yarlung Tsangpo River would be your lifetime experience.

Tips of Phuntsoling Monastery

The lighting is not very good especially when you want to observe the murals in detail. You can take a flashlight with you.

Recommended Tour Itineraries including Phuntsoling Monastery

There are ancient murals and treasures in the temple. If you are more interested in the Kagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, please feel free to contact us to visit Phuntsoling Monastery. Check the top 4 highly recommended Tibet tours that include Phuntsoling Monastery.