Surmang, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yushu Prefecture, China
Surmang is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yushu Prefecture located at high altitude and comprises nine religious buildings. These structures display traditional architectural features with ornately carved wooden elements and detailed murals throughout the complex.
The monastery was founded in 1414 by Trungmase, a student of the fifth Gyalwa Karmapa, making it more than 600 years old. It experienced multiple destructions during political conflicts and the Cultural Revolution, which profoundly shaped its history.
The monastery preserves the Surmang Kagyu lineage today, a branch of Karma Kagyu Buddhism that absorbed teachings from the older Nyingma school. Visitors can observe this blend of different Buddhist traditions reflected in the practices and teachings maintained here.
The site is located in an underdeveloped region with limited services and requires careful travel planning. The high altitude means visitors should allow time to adjust and be physically prepared.
The name Surmang comes from the irregular reed huts that early monks inhabited, meaning 'many corners' in Tibetan. This name still evokes the humble beginnings and conditions of the early settlement.
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