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 The
monastery is famous throughout Tibet since
it was the first Buddhist chapel ever built
in Tibet. It lies five kilometers (three
miles) south of Tsedang on the road leading
to Yumbu Lakhang. Built approximately under
the reign of Songtsen Gampo, Trandruk later
experienced large-scale reconstruction after
it converted to Gelugpa. Legend said that
it was only after Songtsen Gampo turned
into a roc to conquer an evil dragon that
it could be built there, which is the origin
of its name, meaning a roc conquering a
dragon. Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng
always visited the monastery after they
moved to Lhasa. An apartment believed to
be their lodgings during their visits in
Trandruk is still left, however restoration
is badly needed since it is in poor condition.
Princess Wencheng left many willow trees
around the monastery.
The main building in Trandruk
is its Tshomchen, in which Padmasambhava
is enshrined. The Jokhang like building
has many chapels, in one of which a precious
pearl Thangka, representing Chenrezi in
rest, is housed. The Thangka is made of
about 30,000 pearls and hundreds of other
gems like diamond, sapphire, turquoise,
ruby and amber. Pilgrims throw money to
the thangka to show their respect.
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