TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY
Tashilhunpo means heap of Glory, was the seat of Panchen Lamas. It is lies on the foot of Mt.Drolmari or Tara Mountain. It is known as Tibet's most active Monasteries. It was founded in 1447 by the Tsonga Kappa's youngest Disciple, who his nephew and who designed the yellow hat sect. The early abbots, who posthumously were named the first, second and third Panchen Lamas, were learned scholars who often had to flee to the province of U from fierce Red Hat opponents in Tsang.The enlargement of monastery took place under the fourth, fifth and sixth Panchen Lamas. After the yellow hat sect had been firmly establish as the Tibet official Religion. When the six broadminded Panchen Lama died of smallpox in Peking (old name of Beijing) his brother and his treasure sold his all huge fortune .He did not refuse to distribute it to the Monastery nor shared with other do brother then he become the Head of Tsang Province. Another brother who lived in Nepal led an army of Gurkha warriors to Shigatse in 1791.Where they sacked and looted Tashihunpo. The Chinese drove out the Nepalese and at the same time strengthened their influence Over Tibet. It had over 4000 Monks and was organized like Lassa's great Monasteries. It had four Tantric College each with own abbot. After the death of Panchen Lama these four abbots led the search for his infant reincarnation and one of them always acted as the Prime Minister of Tsang under the control of Dalai Lama in Lhasa. It was disbanded as Monastery by Chinese in 1960, while tenth Panchen Lama was absent. Today Monastery applies approximately 800 Monks. The most remarkable object on the Monastery is an enormous Thank Wall nine storey high, which stands like a huge drive in movie screen, clearly visible from the city. This structure is used most of the year for storing gigantic banners bearing images of the Buddha, which are displayed on the wall three days a year during summer festivals.