Gungthang Pass
“King, disciples, abbots, and teachers
All followed you to Mangyul where they bowed in deepest reverence. When they begged you to stay, you granted prophecies.
To you, loving, compassionate one, I pray!
To the nirmanakaya of Uddiyana, I pray! Compassionate Son of the Conquerors, please grant your blessings!”
at a glance
The Gungthang mountain pass in Mangyul not only marked the entry point through which both the Mahaguru and the Abbot had originally arrived in Tibet, but it also became the place of their departure. When all the Mahaguru’s disciples had gathered to bid their farewell, Guru Padmasambhava imparted his final heart advice to his closest disciples. Then, with grace and reverence, he mounted the magnificent horse Balaha and set off towards the isle of the rakshasas.
the story
For a long time, rakshasa demons had been gaining strength and building an army, and they were now poised to invade the human realm. In his clairvoyance, the Mahaguru saw that time was running out to stop them. He also knew that he alone had the power to curtail the rakshasas’ evil schemes, and so he approached the new king and shared his plans for going. The young king listened, initially refusing to let him go, but with deep sadness finally accepting the Mahaguru’s decision. Once the news was made public, Tibetans from every corner of the land gathered like a flock of birds around Samye monastery, bringing vast offerings, requesting teachings, and asking for the Mahaguru’s parting blessings. With great love and compassion, the Mahaguru taught the Tibetan people and shared his final advice on how to practice the Dharma. Afterwards, many Tibetans joined the farewell party that accompanied the Mahaguru to the Gungthang Pass, his place of departure. There, tents were pitched and the Mahaguru continued to give teachings, especially to his closest disciples, for three more days. Then, on the 10th day of the Monkey month in the Wood Monkey Year, the Mahaguru mounted the supreme steed Balaha and flew off into the sky to deal with the rakshasa demons, leaving his disciples sitting in meditation.
Words from the Masters
Tulku Zangpo Drakpa’s Sampa Lhundrupma
Ratna Lingpa’s Cloud Banks of Blessings
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thayé’s A Garland of Vajra Gems
While at the main site
The Gungthang Pass serves as a crucial link, connecting central Tibet in the north with Mangyul and Nepal in the south. It serves as a distinct boundary, separating the verdant, foothill valley of Mangyul from the vast, arid grass-lands of the Himalayan plateau. Upon reaching the elevated, sandy summit of the pass, visitors are rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas of the snow-capped mountains that envelop the region. A commemorative stupa stands at the spot from whence the Mahaguru departed Tibet, symbolizing the significance of his departure from this sacred land.