Dzongsar Monastery (Zongsa Monastery) is an important monastery of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, and is even more renowned as the birthplace of the "Rimé movement" (the nonsectarian movement). It is not merely a temple, but a sacred site that integrates profound history, religious culture, and traditional craftsmanship.
The history of Dzongsar Monastery can be traced back to 746 AD, when it was first established by a Bönpo lama as a small shrine named "Jowo Lhaqi Khaqi." Over the following centuries, the monastery underwent several transformations, serving successively as a center for the Nyingma and Kadam schools. In 1275, the Yuan Dynasty imperial preceptor Drogön Chögyal Phagpa officially established it as a Sakya monastery during his return journey to Tibet—a tradition that continues to this day. The monastery's true flourishing began in the 19th century. Under the direction of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), Dzongsar Monastery became the cradle of the Rimé movement and developed into a highly influential Buddhist center in the Kham region. The monastery was damaged in 1958, and it was not until 1983, following the relaxation of religious policies, that approval was granted and reconstruction began, gradually restoring it to its current scale.
Dzongsar Monastery
Dzongsar Monastery
Dzongsar Monastery
Dzongsar Monastery is located deep in the valley of Maisu Town, Dege County, about 70 kilometers from Dege County town. The road conditions are generally good, but may have seasonal disruptions.
Birthplace of the Rimé Movement : This is the defining hallmark of Dzongsar Monastery. In the 19th century, renowned Buddhist masters Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, among others, initiated the "Rimé movement" here—a nonsectarian movement that respected all Tibetan Buddhist traditions and gathered together many teachings that were on the verge of being lost. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and the Lineage: Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo was the most important abbot in the history of Dzongsar Monastery. Throughout his life, he visited masters from all schools and was exceptionally learned. Since then, the monastery has been closely connected to the successive incarnations of the Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche lineage. The current monastery head is the Third Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Gyatso (also known as Thubten Chökyi Gyatso), who promotes the spread of the Dharma globally.
Unique Architectural Complex: The monastery buildings are arrayed in layered tiers along the mountainside, featuring the Sakya school's distinctive red, white, and black exterior walls—visually solemn and magnificent. The core structures consist of three main palaces:
Gongna Palace: One of the oldest palaces, founded by the first abbot appointed by Phagpa.
Ari Palace: A sutra hall and teaching courtyard built during the monastery's middle period.
Khyentse Palace: The spiritual heart of the monastery, once the meditation and residence site of the First Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.
Rich Religious and Cultural Heritage: The monastery houses a large collection of Buddhist scriptures, thangkas, and murals. Among them, important texts such as the Rinchen Terdzö (Treasury of Precious Termas) and the Gyachen Kama (Collection of Oral Instructions), compiled by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and others, are treasures of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
The altitude of Dzongsar is about 3,800 meters—please take precautions against altitude sickness. Many halls and cultural relics within the monastery may not be photographed or touched without permission. Please abide by the monastery's rules and respect the local religious beliefs and culture.
Travel Season: All year;
Recommended time of visit: 1 - 3 hours;
Ticket Information: Free of Charge
Business Hour: Not Specified but all Day open
