fossil_digger Report This Comment Date: October 27, 2012 02:21AM
It is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, located in
the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan.
The monastery buildings consist of four main temples and residential shelters
ideally designed by adapting to the rock(granite) ledges, the caves and the
rocky terrain. Out of the eightcaves, four are comparatively easy to access. The
cave where Padmasmabhava first entered, riding the Tiger, is known as 'Tholu
Phuk' and the original cave where he resided and did meditation is known as the
'Pel Phuk'. He directed the spiritually enlightened monks to build the monastery
here. The monastery is so precariously perched that it is said: "it clings
to the side of themountain like a gecko ". The main cave is entered through
a narrow passage. The dark cave houses a dozen images of Bodhisattvas and butter
lamps flicker in front of these idols. An elegant image of Chenrezig (
Avalokitesvara ) is also deified here. In an adjoining small cell, the sacred
scripture is placed; the importance of this scripture is that it has been
scripted with gold dust and the crushed bone powder of a divine Lama. All the
buildings are interconnected through steps and stairways made in rocks. There
are a few rickety wooden bridges along the paths and stairways also to cross
over. The temple at the highest level has a frieze of Buddha. Each building has
a balcony, which provides lovely views of the scenic Paro valley down below. The
Monasteries have ancient history of occupation by monks, as hermitages.