Global Treasures: Ganden Gonba

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

---

Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1280

UPC: 883629689357

---

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Around 60 kilometres east of the city of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and set amid the untouched mountain world of the Kyi-Chu Valley, is the village of Dagzê. It was once a prosperous town, as it contains one of the country’s most famous monasteries, Ganden Gonba, or Ganden Monastery.

For many centuries, it was the religious centre of the Yellow Hats Academy, but the annexation of Tibet by China changed everything. The remote location of Ganden Monastery, within an isolated valley 4,000 metres above sea level, was unable to protect the sanctuary from invasion. Up until 1959, around 3,000 monks inhabited Ganden's monastery complex.

In addition to numerous sacred treasures, the Lhakhang also houses a chapel of the protective deities that, among others, is also dedicated to Vaishravana, the deity of wealth.

Surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness of Tibet's high mountain scenery, the monastery district of Ganden Monastery is most certainly well worth a visit!