Karma Gon Monastery, Buddhist monastery in Karma, China
Karma Gon Monastery is a Buddhist temple complex centered around a large Assembly Hall with a hundred pillars and twelve chapels inside. The chapel walls display detailed murals that tell stories of Buddhist teachings and events from the monastery's past.
The monastery was founded in 1147 by Dusum Khyenpa, the First Karmapa, and served as the original center for the Karma Kagyu Buddhist lineage. It became an important gathering place for monks who practiced and taught this particular school of Buddhism.
The buildings here blend Tibetan, Naxi, and Chinese architectural styles, and you can see these regional influences woven throughout the structures and spaces.
The monastery sits on the eastern bank of the Dzachu River and remains an active place for religious ceremonies. Visitors should approach the site with respect for ongoing spiritual practices and the monks living there.
Beside the main temple lies the Khandro Bumtang meadow, which holds three ancient stupas containing sacred relics. This meadow has served as the traditional setting for Black Hat ceremonies, a significant ritual event in this Buddhist tradition.
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