Samye Monastery

Samye Monastery is the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet. Samye was constructed between 762-779 A.D under the patronage of Tibetan king Trisong Detsen and the guidance of Indian Buddhist masters Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita, whom the king had invited to Tibet to help spread Buddhism. Samye is famous for its sacred mandala design that mirrors the structure of the universe according to Buddhist cosmology. The central temple, a grand 6-story building, represents Mt. Sumeru, the mythical mountain at the center of the cosmos. It is surrounded by four temples that represent the four continents. The monastery complex is surrounded by a wall with 1008 miniature stupas. The central temple houses statues of Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, king Trisong Detsen and king Songtsen Gampo, as well as precious relics and many other sacred objects. Samye monastery is an important pilgrimage site for Tibetans of all traditions.