Ralung Monastery

Welcome to Ralung Monastery, one of the most historically significant sites in the landscape of Tibetan Buddhism. Situated at an altitude of over 4,500 meters in a remote glacial valley south of the Karo La pass, Ralung is the…

The Tsokchen, or Main Assembly Hall, is the spiritual center of Ralung. As you enter through the heavy, yak-hair curtained doorway, the first thing you will notice is the pervasive scent of juniper incense and butter lamps. …

Outside the main hall stands one of Ralung’s most famous architectural features: the Kumbum-style stupa, or the 'Stupa of Many Auspicious Doors.' This multi-tiered structure is designed as a three-dimensional mandala, a physical…

Ralung’s importance extends far beyond the borders of Tibet. In the early 17th century, a high-ranking lama named Ngawang Namgyal, who was the 18th abbot of Ralung, faced a succession dispute and fled south across the Himalayas. …

As we walk through the peripheral residential quarters, we get a glimpse into the daily life of the few dozen monks who remain at Ralung. Their lives are defined by 'Kora' (circumambulation), 'Chopa' (offering), and 'Gom'…

Standing here at the edge of the Ralung valley, looking toward the glistening glaciers of Karo La, one feels the immense weight of the Tibetan spiritual tradition. Ralung is a place where the barrier between the human and the…