Mindroling Monastery: The Home of the Soul, the Whisper of History

Living in the Potala Palace, I am the greatest king of the snowy land. Wandering the streets of Lhasa, I am the most beautiful lover in the world. ——Tsangyang Gyatso Driving through the winding mountain roads, I finally arrived at Mindroling Monastery, hidden in the valley of Zhanang County, Shannan. Unlike the bustling temples I have visited before, Mindroling Monastery welcomes every traveler from afar with a low-key and profound demeanor. Walking through the monastery gate, a sense of simplicity and tranquility greets me. Surrounded by mountains, Mount Miyou, Mount Quedan, Mount Zhebu, and Mount Danma stand like four guardians, quietly protecting this sacred land. Mindroling Monastery faces east, with a well-arranged layout. Every brick and tile reveals the traces of time. The mottled walls and weathered stone carvings seem to tell thousand-year-old stories, making one involuntarily immersed in the weight of history. Strolling inside the monastery, I am struck by the grandeur of the main hall, Zhulakang. This three-story Buddha hall, with five bays in width and six bays in depth, is supported by twenty square columns, two of which are 5.5 meters high, extending to the second floor, appearing particularly solemn. In the great scripture hall on the ground floor, monks are devoutly chanting scriptures. The deep and long chanting seems to transcend time and space, striking directly at the soul. What impressed me most was the Tibetan incense in Mindroling Monastery. Unlike the common incense on the market, the Tibetan incense here has a unique, lasting, and calming fragrance. Lighting a stick of incense, the slowly rising smoke seems to take away all worries and troubles, leading me into a peaceful and mysterious world. Here, I seem to have found the home of my soul, with all the noise and restlessness dissipating. Besides the incense, the murals and statues in Mindroling Monastery also captivated me. The main hall walls are painted with multi-headed, multi-armed, fierce-looking protector deities, representing the art of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, evoking a sense of awe for the profound heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. The statues, made of silver, copper, wood, clay, and other materials, are diverse and lifelike. Each statue carries a legendary story and deep faith. At Mindroling Monastery, I was fortunate to participate in a religious ceremony. It was my first time experiencing the solemnity and sanctity of a Tibetan Buddhist ritual. Monks, dressed in splendid robes and holding ritual instruments, danced to the rhythm of the chanting. At that moment, I seemed to see the power of faith burning in everyone's heart, feeling the purification and sublimation of the soul. As I left Mindroling Monastery, I couldn't help but look back at this ancient temple. It sits quietly in the valley, like a wise man, silently guarding this land and its people. I know this trip will become a precious memory in my life. In the days to come, whenever I recall everything about Mindroling Monastery, my heart will be filled with gratitude and warmth. Because here, I found the home of my soul and the power of tranquility.