Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh: Thikse Monastery, Alchi Monastery, Diskit Monastery, Rizong Monastery, Shey Monastery, Korzok Monastery, Kursha Monastery, Likir Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery, Takthok Monastery, Phyang Monastery, Mulbekh M

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 30. Chapters: Thikse Monastery, Alchi Monastery, Diskit Monastery, Rizong Monastery, Shey Monastery, Korzok Monastery, Kursha Monastery, Likir Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery, Takthok Monastery, Phyang Monastery, Mulbekh Monastery, Sumda Chun, Hanle Monastery, Matho Monastery, Sankar Monastery, Rangdum Monastery, Wanla Monastery, Lingshed Monastery, Stongdey Monastery, Phugtal Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Zangla Monastery, Chemrey Monastery, Stakna Monastery, Stok Monastery, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery, Bardan Monastery, Basgo Monastery, Mashro Monastery, Hundur Monastery, Thak Thog. Excerpt: Thikse Gompa or Thikse Monastery (also transliterated from Ladakhi as Tikse, Tiksey or Thiksey) (thiksok Nambar tak pe ling) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect, located on top of a hill, approximately 19 kilometres east of Leh in Ladakh, India. It is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest gompa in central Ladakh. The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus valley. It is a 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple which is installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. A 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two storeys of the building is defied in the monastery. A nunnery is also part of the complex. In the early 15th century, Tsongkhapa, the founder of the reformed Gelugpa School (the Yellow hat sect), sent six of his disciples to remote regions of Tibet to spread the teachings of the new school. Tsongkhapa gave one of his disciples, Sherab Sangpo, a small statue of Amitayus (Chepakmet), the Buddha of longevity who is invoked for long life, health and happiness. It contained bone powder and a drop of Tsongkhapa's own blood. Tsongkhapa directed him to meet the King of Ladakh with a message seeking his help in the propagation of Buddhist religion. The King, who was then staying in the Nubra valley near Shey, greatly liked the gift of the statue. After this meeting, the King directed his minister to help Sherab Sangpo to establish a monastery of the Gelugpa order in Ladakh. As a result, in 1433, Sangpo founded a small village monastery called Lhakhang Serpo (meaning Yellow temple) in the village of Stagmo, to the north of the Indus River. In spite of his efforts, the lamas who embraced the Gelugpa order, were initially few, alt