Tabo Monastery, Himachal Pradesh

The Tabo Monastery was founded by a Tibetan Buddhist named Rinchen Zangpo. The monastery is situated in the Tabo village of Spiti valley. The walls of this monastery are filled with Buddhist teachings and consist of a large number of scrolls, manuscripts, and statues that depict the Buddhist religion. It is one of the oldest and active monasteries in Himachal Pradesh and India. Unlike other monasteries in the valley which are situated above the valley, the Tabo monastery is situated below the valley. Above the monastery are caves where monks can meditate. Many of these cave walls are inscribed by Buddhist teachings.

History

Tabo Monastery will take you a millennium back in 996 A.D when it was built by the Buddhist King Yesho-O, which was later renovated by the royal priest, Jangchub O’d, the 2nd generation of Yesho-O. Initially, the Tabo monastery was built as a “daughter” monastery of the Tholing Monastery in Nagri, western Tibet. This royal dynasty was majorly responsible for spreading Buddhism in Tibetan History and was keen on the re-introduction of Indian Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet.
The contribution was so huge that it’s been documented in writing on the walls of Tabo Monastery. During the 17th – 19th centuries, the monastery and bridge across the Spiti River went through historical events and political trouble in the area. In the modern era, during the year 1975, the monastery was heavily damaged due to the Kinnaur Earthquake which was later the monastery was restored by the 14th Dalai Lama.
The monastery is a historic treasure as its roots are from a millennium back. Considering the same it is protected by the government under the Archaeological Survey of India. Tabo Monastery is a divine place for monks as it has a rich past regarding the knowledge this place has to offer. Kyabje Serkong Rinpoche served as the Head Lama who become the Abbot of Tabo Monastery since 1975, was responsible for taking care of the monastery and monks, teaching Buddhist scriptures, and being certain about the local community is living happily as well.

Architecture

Back in 996 A.D in the Tibetan year of the Fire Ape, this huge monastery was founded by the Tibetan Buddhist lots away Rinchen Zhangpo on behalf of the king of the western Himalayan Kingdom of Guge, Yeshe-O. The amazing architecture of Tabo Monastery now holds four beautifully crafted stupas, nine temples. The architecture also includes 23 chortens, a monk's chamber, and cave shrines.

Its architecture is primarily divided into 3 parts including the Main temple, Older & Newer temples, and Stupas. Built-in 996 A.D the paintings belong to the 10th -11th century for the main temple, 13th -14th Century for Stupas, and 15th -20th century for the rest of the temple. The monastery is having a huge collection of manuscripts and Parmana texts, recorded between 1991 and 1998. Here, you can find a mix of non-urban and regional characteristics that belong to India and Central Asia.
This perfect blend was made by Yeshe-O and his two sons while they were building the monastery back in 996 A.D.The traditional taste of non-Buddhist tradition originated from the protection deity Wi-nyu-min. The entire Vajradhatu Mandala (Vairocana in his 4-faced, 8-armed form sitting over this mandala of Vajradhatu) is precisely represented in the Main Temple.