Sights in Bodhnath (Boudha)
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Bodhnath Stupa
There doesn't seem to be much agreement on how old the Bodhnath Stupa is, but it is likely that the first stupa (chörten in Tibetan) was built some time after AD 600, after the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, was converted to Buddhism by his two wives: the Nepali princess Bhrikuti and Wencheng Konjo from China. The stupa was said to have been built by a prince as penance for unwittingly killing his father.
The current stupa structure was probably built after the depredation of the Mughal invaders in the 14th century. Stupas were originally built to house holy relics. It is not certain if there is anything interred at Bodhnath, but some believe that there is a piece of bone…
reviewed
-
Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Gompa
To the west and down the alley leading to the Dragon Guest House, the huge Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Gompa was established by the famous Nyingmapa lama Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to replace the destroyed Shechen Gompa in eastern Tibet. Today, the monastery has a thriving community of over 300 monks and novices and the main prayer hall features fabulous murals by artists from Bhutan. The attached Tsering Art School produces Buddhist crafts that are sold in the monastery shop.
reviewed
-
Shechen Tengyi Dargyeling Gompa
Northwest of the stupa, the impressive Shechen Tengyi Dargyeling Gompa was established by the famous Nyingmapa lama Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to act as an exiled version of Shechen Gompa in eastern Tibet. It has a large and thriving community of over 180 monks and is a popular destination for Tibetan pilgrims. The fine interior decorations are the work of artists from Bhutan. To the right of the main building is the Tsering Art School.
reviewed
-
Ka-Nying Sheldrup Ling Gompa
North of here, down a side alley, is the large 'white gompa' of Ka-Nying Sheldrup Ling Gompa , one of the largest monasteries in Bodhnath, with nice gardens and a richly decorated interior with some fine paintings and thangkas. The gompa hosts a popular annual seminar on Vajrayana training in November. You'll hear the tap-tap-tapping of handicraft workshops in the street leading up to the monastery.
reviewed
-
Sakya Tharig Gompa
Take the alley running northeast from the Bodhnath (Boudha) stupa, past the small Gelugpa Samtenling Gompa, and turn right to reach the Sakya Tharig Gompa. This sprawling complex includes a large Buddhist school and the prayer hall at the back contains a huge statue of Sakyamuni inlaid with turquoise, red coral, dzi beads and other precious materials.
reviewed
-
The Bodhnath Stupa
The first stupa at Bodhnath was built sometime after AD 600, when the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism. According to legend, the king constructed the stupa as an act of penance after unwittingly killing his father. Unfortunately, the first stupa was wrecked by Mughal invaders in the 14th century, so the current stupa is a more recent construction.
reviewed
-
Tarik Gompa
The Sakyapa school Tarik Gompa to the northeast of the stupa does not have the imposing architectural unity of the others - it has obviously been built in stages over a number of years - but there are some high-quality frescoes inside the ground-floor chapel and you can climb upstairs to a splendidly adorned Sakyamuni Buddha. Just east of here is Tabsang Gompa, a Kargyud monastery.
reviewed
-
Tamang Gompa
The new Tamang Gompa and Guru Lhakhang are currently being built on the north side of the stupa enclosure. A small plaque here honours Ekai Kawaguchi (1866-1945), the first Japanese to make it to Tibet (he passed through Bodhnath in 1899). For an excellent account of his remarkable travels see Scott Berry's book A Stranger in Tibet, available in Thamel bookshops.
reviewed
-
Tsamchen Gompa
Tsamchen Gompa is the only gompa that opens directly onto the stupa on the western side. There are some fine paintings and a magnificent Maitreya (Jampa in Tibetan), the Future Buddha, covered in beautiful embroideries. Don't miss the massive enclosed prayer wheel on the left of the entrance.
reviewed
-
Samtenling Gompa
East of the stupa, the Gelugpa Samtenling Gompa is the oldest monastery in Bodhnath.
reviewed
Advertisement
