Tsar Tsar
Tsar Tsar monastery with the village Ashuk (ch. Axu). In the center is white stupa. The largest building on the top of the monastery is the three year retreat center. Temple on the left of the stupa is another such center. Bellow it a village starts.
Always many people walk around the stupa.
Five valleys meet in Tsar Tsar and streams join Zachu river.
In the winter river is completely covered with ice. This picture was taken in March.
Ashuk is the birthplace of the famous King Gesar who lived in 11th century. King Gesar established large and powerful kingdom, streaching from here to the north in Amdo province. Lingtsam kingdom existed until the year 1959. Life story of King Gesar is considered to be the longest epic written in human history. Tibetans don’t consider Gesar to be a normal king; he is manifestation of Padmasambhava. Nowadays he is considered throughout China to be a national hero.
Temple was build on the site where King Gesar was born. The whole estate is fenced and proclaimed as a national heritage. Whenever I am in Tsar Tsar I stay in this temple. Many prints made by young Gesar can be seen in the rocks.
Yaks can’t come here so the grass is high and dotted with countless flowers of all colors. In the autumn it turns yellow.
My friends, Lama Tashi, 25 years old, and his father Senge, 61, who never wears a shirt, even in the winter. Tashi spent 8 years practicing in Tsar Tsar’s retreat centers.
His nephew Gompo Lhadron.
Again Gompo Lhadron.
Tsezong, left, and Kunzang Ngamtso.
Woodblock print for prayer flags.
Classical winter dress in this region.
Every three months people gather and practice Dzogchen together.
Lama Pesha, 83 years old, one of the most respected masters in the area.
Gantso is ten years old. Her brother Kada is 11 years old. Their father was a trader and was killed five years ago by robbers. Mother married again and left them with their uncle. They help him to look after sheep.
Kada.
Kunga, 11 years old. Also an orphan. He will join Shechen Charity Orphanage School once it is build.
Tashi and me.
