Drigung Til Monastery

Drigung Til Monastery (འབྲི་གུང་ཏིལ)

Drigung Til Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in central Tibet and the head monastery of the Drigung Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located in the Drigung Valley, northeast of Lhasa, surrounded by dramatic mountains and high-altitude scenery.

·       Distance from Lhasa: ~150 km

·       Altitude: Around 4,450–4,600 m

·       Founded: 1179 AD

·       Founder: Jigten Sumgon (Rigdzin Jikten Gönpo Rinchen Päl)

Historical & Religious Significance

·       Drigung Til is the mother monastery of the Drigung Kagyu lineage, one of the eight major Kagyu schools.

·       Known for its mastery in phowa (transference of consciousness) teachings.

·       At its height, the monastery was one of the most influential Buddhist centers in Tibet.

 

What to See

1. Main Assembly Hall

Beautiful statues, ritual instruments, ancient scriptures, and vibrant thangkas.

2. Retreat Hermitages

Caves and meditation sites used by generations of masters and monks.

3. Sky Burial Site

Drigung Til area is famous for the most prominent sky-burial site in central Tibet
(note: visitors must be respectful; photography is prohibited and many areas are restricted).

4. Mountain Scenery

The monastery is built on a high ridge with superb views across valleys and mountains.