Kathok Monastery is the origin of Nyingmapa Monastery of Tibet. It is the very first mother monastery of Nyingma Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Kathok is also a Buddhist school of Nyingmapa. Kathok Monastery is also called Kathok Gompa by local people. Derge was once one of the three cultural centers of Tibet. Kathok was an important monastery in Tibetan history.
Kathok Monastery is located in Baiyu County, 40 km north to Baiyu County and 85km south to Derge County. The monastery is located at an elevation of 4000m by mountain side. A visit to Kathok usually combines a drive via Derge to Baiyu or vice versa. Kathok Monastery has a history of 860 years. Afterwords the monastery has expanded and had been rebuilt into today's scale. Kathok has been one of the ultimate pilgrimage destination for many Nyingmapa Buddhist in Tibet including people from TAR, Gansu and Qinghai, etc. Every year by the birthday of Guru Renpoche on the 10th day of the 6th month in Tibetan calendar, there is grand celebration by Kathok Monastery. Monks and people gather on this event.
The Buddhist School in Sertar is called Larung Gar Wuming Budddhist School, Wuming is 5 Enlightment. Kathok is called Shiming Buddhist School, 10 Enlightment. The complex can accommodate 2000 monks to study. "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," "school of the ancient translations" or "old school". Padmasambhava is venerated as the "second Buddha" by the Nyingma school. In modern times, the Nyingma lineage has been centered in Kham near Derge. Nyingmapa is the second largest/influential sect of Tibetan Buddhism after Gelugpa.
Kathok Monastery
Kathok Monastery
Kathok Monastery
Kathok Monastery
Recommended time of visit: Half Day including Driving Time
Ticket Information: Free of charge
Business Hour: All Day
