Gyuto Monastery, Dharmashala- Himachal Pradesh

Gyuto Monastery
Credit:  PRADYUMAN SINGH

Gyuto Monastery is a Tibetan monastery located in Dharamshala, India. It was established after the Chinese occupation in 1959. The Gyuto monastery is situated in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges, with the Beas River nearby.

Popular for the study of Tantric meditation and philosophy, it promotes the tradition of black magic. The tradition of black magic as tantric teaching was founded by the great teacher Ksongkhapa. He believed that black magic could be used to treat people’s health.

In the monastery, when the sun rises early in the morning, gold-plated statues of Lord Buddha shine in shrines.

Gyuto Monastery,
Credit: Kaushik Jana

History

In 1474, the Gyuto monastery was founded by the Dalai Lama’s disciple, Konga Dhondup. It was shifted to India in 1959 after China attacked India. Chants by the monks at Gyuto monastery are so famous that they were nominated for a Grammy in 2011.

To translate the teachings of Buddhism, many monasteries are established throughout the world. Based on teaching, four lineages have been identified and developed throughout history. In four lineages, the Gelug lineage was pioneered by Ksongkhapa, who established two monasteries, Gyudme and Gyuto, to promote tantric teachings.

Gyuto monks

Monks enter the Gyuto monastery to learn tantric studies. They recite the ritual texts of Vajrabhairava, Chakrasamvara, and Guhyasamaja. They appeared for the test after six months, for a duration of four years.

How to reach Gyuto Monastery

road


By road:

You can take a bus or taxi from the nearby town of McLeod Ganj, which is approximately 6 km away from the monastery. The journey takes around 30 minutes.

train

By train:

The nearest railway station to Dharamshala is Pathankot, which is approximately 90 km away from the town. From Pathankot, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Dharamshala and then take another taxi or bus to reach the Gyuto Monastery.

air

By air:

The nearest airport to Dharamshala is the Gaggal Airport, which is approximately 15 km away from the town. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the Gyuto Monastery.