Ribung Monastery in Lho: How Many Monks Live Here?
2 Dec 2024 Chandra Gurung
You probably have seen an advertisement portraying the beautiful monastery gate podium, supported by a spectacular mountain view in the background, in an ad for Manaslu Trekking. It is most likely a photo of the Ribung Monastery located in Lho village in the Nubri Valley. This monastery is of immense fame all the more across the oceans, with lots of visitation by Manaslu trekkers.
You might recognize this gorgeous monastery from the blockbuster Hollywood movie, The Creator, as a few parts recorded here. Besides having spiritual and religious importance, it also has some great attractions. Ribung Monastery holds Lhosar, Saga Dawa, and other grand festivals and houses a good number of monks who live and study Buddhism there.
Trekking details about Ribung Monastery
The serene Ribung monastery lies in the lost beauty of Lho village, where the deep valley reflects the prominent beauty of the great Manaslu. Located on a hilltop that overlooks the entire village, it’s just a short hike that can grant you the views that will mesmerize your eyes. In case you’re trying to find yourself spiritually, the Ribung Monastery might do that for you.
1. Geography of Ribung monastery
Making your way to this ancient monastery is short but mostly straight uphill from the village. On the way, you will see some tiny houses that are built from natural stones. What makes them more beautiful are the decorative, colorful religious murals.
Upon reaching your destination, you’ll find the traditional architectural monastery that has Tibetan mantras written on the walls, murals, and mandalas. Looking like a three-storey building, the monastery houses a statue of Lord Buddha with his deities inside the monastery. A sense of unique calmness and meditative vibe grasps you as soon as make your way inside.
Outside, the wind playing with the colourful prayer flags creates a magic touch, making the views even more interesting. Far away from modernism, this isolated monastery offers inner peace to its visitors without expecting anything in return.
2. Historic and religious significance
People of Lho village and nearby villages have a high regard for this monastery. The religious and cultural importance that this village holds in local people’s lives is unparalleled. The fact that Ribung monastery was established long ago and still manages to be one of the main religious and cultural spots for the natives. This is proof of its rich spirituality and heritage.
Visitors to this monastery will notice the influence of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and practices that the region has been performing for centuries. The locals come to this monastery to offer their prayers, meditate, and conduct important festivals like Lhosar.
3. Correct time to travel to Ribung monastery
Other than monsoon and winter, you can visit the Ribung monastery any time you plan a trip to the Lho village. Winters in the Manaslu region are very harsh and unforgiving. Who would even want to trek in the heavy snowfall and with no view other than the white snow? While that may sound exciting to some bits, you’ll get bored quickly.
Monsoon may not be that easy either. While some people have shared their good experiences, some have experienced terrible incidents. Also, the routes can be extremely slippery, resulting in grave accidents and a chance of landslide is always lingering.
So pack your bags and travel to this splendid monastery in spring, summer, or autumn when the cool weather is clear from clouds. Along with a comfortable trek, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the nearby mountains and valleys.
Monks of the Ribung monastery
The monks of Ribung Monastery dedicate their whole lives to preserve the rich Buddhist traditions of the region. They live, pray, and study in the monastery. The monastery hosts festivals like Lhosar (Tibetan New Year), Dumje, Buddha Purnima, and Saga Dawa and all the monks have roles in hosting and celebrating these festivals.
They also perform traditional songs and dances with traditional instruments like cymbals, drums, conch shells, tingsha, vajra, gongs, and chod drums, making the atmosphere fun.
The daily prayer activities in Ribum have ancient Buddhist concepts. At the monastery, monks’ lifestyle is led with discipline, devotion, and simplicity. Waking up early in the morning and meditating for a considerate amount of time helps them participate in various religious and communal activities better. The morning in the monastery starts with the monks lighting butter lamps and singing hymns to ward off negative energy.
Education and lifestyle of monks at Ribung Monastery
Since early years, young boys have been taught Buddha’s teachings which is to achieve enlightenment and break free from the rebirth cycle. They learn classic Buddhist traditions and scriptures in classical Tibetan. Another important part of the monks’ daily routine is meditation training. They believe that practicing meditation helps them achieve inner peace and happiness.
You can easily recognize a monk at the monastery with what they wear. They are known for wearing distinct maroon robes, shaven heads, and simple footwear. The spiritual people are taught to live a simple life with no worldly desires. They love minimalism and try detaching themselves from material possessions which helps them focus on their spiritual journey.
In the Tsum Valley, these monks have a crucial role as religion and culture’s preservers. They also have the responsibility of passing on the same knowledge to the coming generations. The monastery also runs a school which provides free education to small children.
What to do at Ribung Monastery?
After reaching the monastery, the first you will want to do is simply relax and sleep in the beauty of the surroundings. That will instantly freshen your mood. Then, you can do the following:
1. Explore the monastery
A short rest asks for a tour of the monastery. You might have so many questions like: When was the monastery established? Who established the monastery? Etc. Any of your questions will be answered by the monks. The history, architecture, and teachings of the monastery will fascinate you. Also, take time off studying the murals and sculpted carvings symbolizing the wealth of history this monastery has.
2. Meditate
After you are done being amazed by the beauty of this monastery, spare some time, and find a quiet place for meditating. That is sure to bring peace and positive energy to your mind.
3. Enjoy the natural beauty
The views outside the monastery are equally stunning. From the top, you can see how beautiful the views of the beautiful Tsum Valley and the surrounding mountains are. Make sure to click pictures as you may never get to enjoy such views again.
4. Attend a religious ceremony
If you visit the monastery during any of the local festivals, that’s apparently good luck. You will get to enjoy Tibetan cultural music, dance, and people’s sheer joy. It’s not every day that one gets to visit the Tsum Valley and attend a cultural ceremony. So, if you do, consider yourself lucky.
Challenges during Ribung Monastery visit
Travelling to Tsum Valley is an adventure on its own. Therefore, no matter how exciting, the journey can be quite strenuous unless a local Sherpa.
Not just the trails, but the weather can also be an issue, especially during winter because you would not be pleased to experience snowstorms in the freezing temperatures. Frankly, the Manaslu trek can humble even the strongest trekker. Here are some issues you will definitely face while travelling to the Ribung Monastery:
- For people who are novices in trekking, there is a high possibility of getting altitude sickness.
- Being far off in this remote location, you can not even manage to get the basic facilities easily.
- Weather can be unpredictable in such areas so that can be a challenge, especially in the winter.
- Since many locals can not speak English, language can be a barrier for non-Nepali speaking foreigners.
- There are not many homestays in Lho village. So, there might be an accommodation problem during peak season if you don’t book in advance.
Festivals celebrated at Ribung Monastery
Since Buddhism is the main culture, Lhosar (Tibetan New Year) is the major festival in the entire Manaslu region. Also, there are a couple of local Sherpa ceremonies that are celebrated throughout the year like Dumje, Buddha Purnima, and Saga Dawa.
Festivals are nothing without good food and entertainment. On these occasions, the performers wear traditional clothes and masks and perform group or solo dance. Families prepare meat and vegetable dishes including staples like khapse, thukpa, dumplings, etc. Also, they enjoy Chang, a traditional homemade beer made by fermenting rice and mixing it with yeast afterward.
Conclusion
Ribung Monastery in Lho is being preserved by monks who have dedicated their entire lives to the teachings of Buddha. These dedicated monks engage in numerous spiritual practices like meditation, chanting, and studying Buddhist scriptures. Also, the monastery acts as a center for learning and spiritual growth for youngsters of the region. The monks also have a role to play in the local community, offering spiritual guidance and support to the locals. They also do their best to preserve the region’s tradition and cultural heritage.
You can have one of the best experiences on your visit to Ribung Monastery. The opportunity to do principal photography in this serene location is more beautiful than it ought to be. So, why wait? Book your Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure today with the Himalayan guide team.
FAQs
1. How many monks are there at Ribung Monastery?
Ans: We exactly cannot tell the number of monks living at the Ribung Monastery. Generally, there is a community of approximately 20-30 monks, who dedicate their lives to the study of Buddhist philosophy, the practice of meditation, and the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Tsum Valley. For the locals, these monks serve the most crucial role in their spiritual and cultural life.
2. How old is Ribung Monastery?
Ans: There is no specific historical record to pinpoint the exact age of Ribung Monastery. That said, the traditional architecture and the ancient Buddhist practices of this region indicate that this monastery has a history that traces back to many centuries.
