Naqu Xiaodeng Monastery

Naqu Xiaodeng Monastery

Naqu Xiaodeng Monastery is a cultural tourism attraction.

Xiaodeng Monastery is located in Naqu County, Nagqu Prefecture (the prefecture's capital is 338 km from Lhasa), situated in the center of Naqu Town, the county seat.

Xiaodeng Monastery is under the jurisdiction of the Jé Dratsang of Sera Monastery in Lhasa. It was founded in 1814 and was formerly known as "Xiaodeng Jiaba," also called "Xiadeng Temple." It is one of the more influential major monasteries in the Nagqu region, initially belonging to the Ningma school before later converting to the Gelug school. The monastery has two dratsangs: one is the Mi Dratsang Xiazhujiangzan Gongbei Lin, abbreviated as "Mi Ni Dratsang"; the other is the Juba Dratsang Sawang Gongdui Aikangli Xielin, abbreviated as "Juba Dratsang." Before 1950, it had 350 monks, and now has 60.

Xiaodeng Monastery was founded by the tulku (reincarnate lama) Losang Tsundrup Tenzin Gyatso and has a history of nearly 200 years. The monastery has had seven generations of tulkus. The seventh-generation tulku is named Losang Sazhu Tubten Gegyur, said to have been specially named by the 10th Panchen Lama, Choekyi Gyaltsen, during his inspection visit to Nagqu in 1980. Locals call him "Zhukhang Rinpoche," and he currently serves as the chairman of the Nagqu Prefecture Buddhist Association.

In 1908, the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, stayed at Xiaodeng Monastery for over a month on his way back to Tibet from Beijing via Naqu Town. He met with Zhukhang Rinpoche and instructed that starting from the Year of the Wood Tiger, Xiaodeng Monastery would hold the Monlam Prayer Festival on January 4th every year, with all monks entitled to the same benefits as those at the Lhasa Monlam. He also decreed that Xiaodeng Monastery must maintain no fewer than 300 monks. In addition to holding the Monlam Prayer Festival regularly according to religious rituals, the monastery also holds a large-scale religious dance called "Cham" every August. Xiaodeng Monastery’s "Cham" is the most distinctive, known as "Jé Cham" and "Jiusong Chamchen." "Jé" means "eight," and "Cham" means "dance" or "jump"; because it is performed in August, it is called "Jé Cham." "Jiusong" means "thirteen," and "Chen" means "large" or "formal"; because it is formally performed on the 13th, locals call it "Jiusong Chamchen." On August 2nd, a lighter performance without full Cham attire is called "Debula," which is actually internal rehearsal; on August 8th, the performance in full Cham attire is called "Jé Yang Cham"; and on August 13th, the grand formal performance in the best costumes and props is called "Jiusong Chamchen," when local people come to watch. After the Cham performances, a solemn exorcism ceremony is held.

Shortly after Xiaodeng Monastery was built, Geshe Sonam Dargye of Sera Monastery constructed Darin Monastery. The fourth Zhukhang Rinpoche, Losang Tsundrup Tenzin Gyatso, built the nunnery Sangdenglin and the Anduo Naimu Monastery in 1844. The fifth Zhukhang Rinpoche, Losang Tenzin Gyatso, built the Anduo Tangga Monastery, Sangdui Zhagga Monastery, and Zhuoyuegu Monastery, among others. All these were damaged to varying degrees during the Cultural Revolution. With the implementation of the Party’s religious policies, these monasteries have been restored and can now conduct normal religious activities.

Address: Naqu Town, Seni District, Nagqu Prefecture

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: 1 hour