Changlei Monastery
In today's world, Changlei Monastery is an issue that has taken on great relevance in society. For several years now, Changlei Monastery has become a point of interest for researchers, companies and governments, generating extensive debate about its implications and consequences. The importance of Changlei Monastery has been reflected in various areas, from politics to technology, culture and economics. In this article, different approaches and perspectives on Changlei Monastery will be discussed, with the aim of better understanding its impact today and in the future.
| Changlei Monastery | |
|---|---|
 Panorama of Changlei Monastery | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Tibetan Buddhism |
| Sect | Nyingma |
| Leadership | Karma Rinpoche |
| Location | |
| Location | Barkam, Ngawa, Sichuan |
| Country | China |
  Location within China | |
| Coordinates | 31°54′28″N 102°09′36″E / 31.90778°N 102.16000°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Tibetan Buddhist monastery |
| Founder | Shire Jangtsen (The reincarnation of Yudra Nyingpo) |
| Established | 13th century CE |
| Website | |
| http://www.changleisi.com/ | |
| Part of a series on |
| Tibetan Buddhism |
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Changlei Holy Mountain is located in Yingbolo of Barkam. The surrounding terrain forms a bowl-shaped highland valley. The 83-hectare monastic complex is situated near the center of this area.
According to traditional accounts, in the 8th century CE, the master Vairotsana and the yogi Yudra Nyingpo resided in this region and transmitted Dharma teachings.[1]
Around the 13th century CE, the reincarnation of Yudra Nyingpo — Shire Jangtsen — built a retreat hut on Mount Yingbolo, which later developed into a small monastery. This is regarded as the origin of Changlei Monastery.[2]
Between 1966 and 1976, Changlei Monastery was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, leaving only partial ruins.[3]
After 1980, under the leadership of Tulku Yanban Shire Jangtsen (Karma Rinpoche), rebuilding efforts began, leading to the establishment of the present monastery complex.[4][5]
The Small Scripture Hall of Changlei Monastery was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit (the eighth batch) in Sichuan in 2012.[6]
Location
Changlei Monastery is located on Changlei Holy Mountain in Ngawa Prefecture, Barkam City, Sichuan Province, China.
1. Administrative Division
The monastery is under the jurisdiction of Barkam City.[7][8] It is one of several Nyingma monasteries in the region.[9]
2. Physical Geography
- Located at an elevation of about 3,500 meters on the slopes of Changlei Mountain, overlooking Barkam City and the Suomo River Gorge.
- Situated on the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, characterized by alpine terrain, a cold and humid climate, and seasonal vegetation changes.
3. Transportation
- Approximately 480 km from Chengdu via expressway through Wenchuan.
- Around 16 km (roughly 30 minutes by car) from downtown Barkam.
- Barkam serves as a local transportation hub with routes to nearby counties.
Architecture
Changlei Monastery’s layout follows the mountain slope, with structures arranged across multiple terraces. The complex includes temples, a Buddhist institute, a retreat area, and a museum.[10][11]
Main facilities include:
- Old Monastery
- Avalokiteśvara Hall
- Śākyamuni Hall
- Buddhist Institute
- Retreat Center
- Changlei Museum
- Grand Hall Library
Teachers and Lamas
Changlei Monastery hosts over 500 resident monks. Principal teachers include:
- Karma Rinpoche (Yanban Shire Jangtsen)[12][13]
- Khenchen Gongsang Rinpoche
- Khenpo Agen
Dharma Teachings
The monastery regularly offers Dharma lectures, retreats, and annual prayer ceremonies. Teachings are published on its official website and related platforms. Topics include:
- Mind cultivation practices
- Preliminary practices of Dzogchen
- Application of Buddhist teachings in daily life
- Live-streamed ceremonies and Q&A sessions
- Annual festivals
Recordings and written materials are also compiled for practitioners.[14]
Additional interviews and teachings by Karma Rinpoche are available on external Dharma platforms.[15][16][17][18][19]
Dharma Activities
Annual ceremonies at Changlei Monastery include:
- During Lunar New Year: Phowa empowerment and group practice
- January: Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Puja
- May: Commemoration of the late master Tuden Chokyi Zhaba
- June: Annual celebration of Guru Rinpoche’s birthday
- November: Vajrasattva Winter Practice Puja
Gallery
-
Aerial view of Changlie Monastery, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan. -
Partial view of Changlie Monastic College, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan -
Partial view of the 800-year-old monastery at Changlie Monastery -
Eye-level view of the Shakyamuni statue -
Upward View of the Avalokiteśvara Hall Statue -
Exterior View of the Grand Sutra Hall, Changlie Monastery -
The world’s largest Padmasambhava statue under construction
See also
References
- ^ "Changlei Monastery". Zhizhe Miaoyin Facebook (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2022-07-28.
- ^ Jiang Lu (2015-01-26). "Changlei Monastery". Hong Kong Commercial Daily (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Zhao Xin (2025-08-15). "Carrying Forward the Red Gene in Gyarong". Tibet Minzu University News (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Changlei Monastery Official Website" (in Chinese (China)). Changlei Monastery. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ Huxinting Kanxueke (2018-12-04). "Bodhisattvas Delivered a Sacred Eye Stone During the Construction of the Reclining Buddha Hall". Zhihu (in Chinese (China)).
- ^ "Notice from the People's Government of Sichuan Province on Announcing the Eighth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units". Sichuan Provincial People's Government. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
- ^ "Changlei Monastery". Cultural Resources GIS (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Zhang Yue (2014-01-09). "Exploring a Highland Temple with Elevators — Changlei Monastery". China News (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "The Monastery Made Famous by an American". Sohu (in Chinese (China)). 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Changlei Monastery: A Shining Jewel on the Western Sichuan Plateau". Sina Travel (in Chinese (China)). 2014-08-04. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Changlei Monastery Travel Guide". Wing On Travel (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Karma Rinpoche Introduction" (in Chinese (China)). Changlei Monastery. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "His Eminence Karma Rinpoche". lama.com.tw (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Teachings and Publications by Teachers" (in Chinese (China)). Changlei Monastery. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "October 21 Sina Micro Interview: Full Record". Sina Buddhism (in Chinese (China)). 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Fulusouxi (2022-05-01). "Signs of Continuing a Supreme Dharma Connection From Past Lives". Sohu (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Karma Rinpoche. "Teaching Search Page". Chinese Buddhism Network (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Changlei Monastery (2016-12-09). "Everyday Life as a Field of Practice". Hong Kong Buddhist Cultural Society (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Karma Rinpoche. "From the Powerful and Wealthy to Devoted Buddhists". lama.com.tw (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ AdminLijin (2015-04-09). "Changlei Monastery Holds Guru Rinpoche Commemoration Ceremonies". Fengcaiyuan Buddhist Network (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2025-11-24.