Labu Monastery

Labu Monastery

Labu Monastery is a cultural tourism attraction.

Labu Monastery

Labu Monastery is one of the major Gelug monasteries in the Yushu region. Originally, it was a small Sakya sect monastery. During the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, Tsongkhapa’s disciple Dama Kanqin Yundengba was ordered by his master to build a monastery in what is now Chengduo County. Upon seeing the scenic beauty at the entrance of the Xuequn Valley in Lasitong, with its clear waters and lush mountains, he chose the site. With the assistance of the local Labu chieftain Nyima Ben…

…the monastery was established. In the 16th year of the Yongle reign (1419), the original small Sakya monastery was rebuilt, and a new scripture hall and six monk quarters were constructed, housing ten monks, thus forming Labu Monastery. The newly built monastery received support from both Tsongkhapa and the Ming court. It is said that Tsongkhapa donated his own hair and clothing to be enshrined within clay statues, gifted a statue of Tara, while the Ming court bestowed a statue and ritual items such as a meditation staff. After the monastery's completion, Dama Kanqin actively promoted its influence in surrounding areas and quickly converted the region…

…to the Gelug sect. In his later years, Dama Kanqin traveled to areas such as present-day Haixi Prefecture’s Do: and Sichuan’s Shiqu County, further expanding the monastery’s reach. Around the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty…

…the monastery’s Jire Duoje traveled to Beijing to pay homage to the Qing emperor and was richly rewarded, being appointed as the chieftain of the Labu tribe, overseeing all local religious and political affairs. In the third year of the Tongzhi reign (1864)…

…the Qing court bestowed a small golden plaque. In the twelfth year of Tongzhi (1873)…

…via the Xining governor Xiyin, another plaque inscribed with “Puji Temple” was granted. From then on, Labu Monastery entered its heyday, overseeing 18 branch monasteries. In addition to Gala Monastery and Rangniang Monastery, these included Benbu Monastery, [name unclear], Kanar Monastery, Xioma Monastery in Yushu County, Gangla Monastery and Longxi Monastery within Yushu County, Ren’ai Monastery (also known as Qegong Monastery) in [name unclear], as well as Shiqu Monastery, Gaiyi Monastery, Re Monastery, Bonni Monastery, Bensa Monastery, Mugai Monastery, Badar Monastery, and Qunke Monastery in Sichuan’s Shiqu County. The monastery complex was grand, ranking first among all temples in Yushu. This is detailed in the “Yushu Survey Record.” According to 1955 survey data, the monastery then had 21 main and minor halls, numerous monk residences, 550 monks, 15 senior monks, 7,910 cattle, horses and mules, 1,600 units of land, commercial capital totaling 4,000 silver dollars and 260,000 yuan. The majority of assets were concentrated among the monastery’s three main senior monks, who alone owned 3,000 cattle…

…180 horses and mules, 590 units of land, over 11 compounds and 100-plus rooms, 8 shrine halls…

…and 260,000 yuan in capital. The monastery was approved for reopening on June 8, 1981. It currently has [number unclear] scripture halls, 70 monk residences, and 54 monks (including [number unclear] senior monks), with Tuden Gongbao serving as the head of the management committee. In March 1986, the monastery was recognized as an advanced religious institution in afforestation efforts by the provincial CPPCC, the Provincial Party Committee United Front Work Department, the Provincial Greening Commission, and the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau.

Funds amounted to 260,000 yuan. The temple was approved for reopening on June 8, 1981. It currently has scripture halls, 70 monk dormitories, and 54 monks (including: individuals), with Tudeng Gongbao serving as the director of the committee. In March 1986, the temple was recognized as an advanced religious institution in afforestation by the Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Provincial Party Committee’s United Front Work Department, the Provincial Greening Committee, and the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau.