Takten Damcho Ling, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lhatse County, China.
Takten Damcho Ling is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley at high elevation, encompassing eight functioning temples within a single religious complex. The buildings are arranged across multiple levels, creating an integrated space for religious study, meditation, and monastic residence.
Jetsun Taranatha founded the monastery in 1615 as the primary center of the Jonangpa school of Buddhism. The site shifted to the Gelug tradition in 1658, after which it continued as a major monastic institution in the region.
The monastery serves as a living center for Tibetan Buddhist practice, where monks engage in formal debates and perform rituals that connect them to centuries of religious tradition. These daily activities reflect the ongoing role the place plays in maintaining monastic culture.
The monastery can be reached by traveling south from nearby landmarks, following main routes that pass through Lhatse County. The high altitude location means visitors should allow time to adjust before exploring the site fully.
The site contains Taranatha's Palace and a historical printing press that played a key role in copying and preserving Buddhist texts across the Tibetan plateau. These structures highlight the monastery's importance as a hub for knowledge preservation and distribution in the Buddhist world.
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