Beri Gonpa

Beri Gonpa, also known as 'Bai-li Si' in Chinese, stands as a silent sentinel on the steep banks of the Ya-long River in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. This monastery is a cornerstone of the Gelugpa, or Yellow Hat sect…

The entrance to Beri Gonpa is marked by a series of steep stone steps and a traditional 'kangkang' or entrance chorten. As you ascend, the vastness of the Ya-long River valley unfolds behind you. …

We now enter the 'Du-khang', or the Main Prayer Hall, the spiritual center of Beri Gonpa. This is a vast, dimly lit space where the monks gather for their daily communal chants and 'pujas'. …

In a side chapel of the main hall, we find a particularly revered statue of 'Maitreya', or 'Jam-pa' in Tibetan—the Buddha of the Future. This statue is often two stories tall, extending up through an opening in the second floor,…

As we walk through the outer areas of the monastery, we see the 'Shag' or monastic residences. These are small, multi-story stone houses that crowd around the main temples like a medieval village. …

Every major Tibetan monastery has a 'Gon-khang', or Protector Chapel, and Beri Gonpa is no exception. This room is dedicated to the 'Dharmapalas'—wrathful deities whose role is to protect the Buddhist teachings and the…

Finally, we come to the 'Cho-ra', or the Debating Courtyard. In the Gelugpa tradition, intellectual debate is as important as meditation for achieving enlightenment. …

As we conclude our tour of Beri Gonpa, we look back one last time at the sun-drenched walls of the monastery against the backdrop of the Garzê peaks. We have seen the Dukhang’s silent assembly, the fierce protectors in the…