DHAT MONASTERY

Kharnak Community and Religious Affiliation

The Kharnak-pa community is entirely Buddhist, following the ‘Brug pa bKa’ brgyud pa order. The only monastery in the Kharnak region, Ldad dgon pa, is affiliated with Hemis Monastery as a branch (Hemis dgon lag). The Kharnak community includes a significant number of celibate nuns and priests. The nuns live either with their families or in a hermitage known as mTshams khang, located at Yagang (4500m), while the priests, referred to as ‘lamas’, are mostly married and live the life of householders.

Role of the Lamas

The lamas in Kharnak are grong pa’i grwa pa (household priests), and while they do not slaughter animals, they engage in activities like tanning, moxibustion to treat weak horses, and even ploughing if they own arable land. Their traditional attire consists of the nomadic log pa gon chas—a long-sleeved, belted robe with fleece facing inside. Lamas in Kharnak, though technically belonging to Hemis Monastery, generally remain local and are trained by senior monks or nuns. They are not assigned to village temples to serve the laity as is the norm in other parts of Ladakh.

Dhad Gompa’s Founding

The exact date of the founding of Dhad Gompa remains unclear, but it is believed to have been established around the early 18th century, roughly the same time as Hemis Monastery. It was founded by a native lama from Kharnak on a site blessed by Rin chen bZang po (958-1055), a revered figure known as the “Great Translator.” Although no formal historical records are available, local tradition suggests that Dhad Gompa is over 350 years old

In the early days, Dhad Gompa was supported by 16 households from the Kharnak region, with each family contributing in various ways based on their skills. Families with expertise in wall painting created religious murals depicting Buddhist figures, historical events, and cultural narratives. Those skilled in carpentry helped with the construction and maintenance of the monastery’s structures. This collaborative effort, where each family member contributed according to their abilities, ensured the Gompa’s upkeep and spiritual significance. The contributions of these 16 households were documented in a list known as Par-chud 16, held by Hemis Monastery. Each family also kept a copy of this document, traditionally stored in white cloth and passed down through generations.

Dhad Gompa holds a central place in the religious practices of the Kharnak Changpas. Two Changpas are selected to travel to the Gompa daily, year-round, to offer prayers to one of the most revered gods of the region. This daily commitment is vital for maintaining the religious traditions of the Kharnak people. During the winter, when most of the village migrates with livestock, the two lamas remain the only inhabitants of the Gompa, enduring the isolation of the harsh climate.

Dhad Gompa is currently administered by Hemis Monastery, which appoints two lamas to oversee the monastery. These lamas serve for a year, with the selection made through a lottery system from the Lama school at Hemis. While the Gompa is now part of Hemis' administrative structure, it continues to be a spiritual center for the Kharnak community, who maintain a strong religious connection to it.

Close

HISTORY

Upload Info
Lorem ipsum dolor, sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Obcaecati eaque repellat repudiandae neque illo consectetur nemo voluptate ut est ea aperiam quos fuga iusto in illum delectus totam, commodi cum molestias ullam et. Quos doloremque sapiente vero beatae quia! Beatae, natus! Atque et cupiditate eius minima, sit illo impedit quas?

hello world

More content... Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed viverra urna ac felis tincidunt, ac malesuada sapien maximus. Donec quis erat ut ante luctus tincidunt. Aenean tristique metus sit amet ex elementum, vel scelerisque tortor interdum. Etiam aliquam quam a pharetra fermentum. Fusce tempus hendrerit suscipit. Vestibulum eget sollicitudin urna, sit amet tincidunt magna. Integer hendrerit, purus id fringilla condimentum, ante lacus cursus libero, in iaculis ipsum libero eu nulla. Fusce dapibus sapien non ante tristique, a pretium libero malesuada. Etiam venenatis varius sapien, id auctor orci ultricies nec. Sed volutpat at ante et maximus.

More content... Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed viverra urna ac fel

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Expedita corrupti, mollitia ipsa soluta, minus maxime quis quas libero obcaecati neque officia dolores molestias ipsam praesentium aliquid ad doloribus? Qui beatae error quibusdam debitis exercitationem dolor facere, reprehenderit veritatis quaerat aut necessitatibus ipsum cupiditate dolorum assumenda, libero, inventore eius quia placeat excepturi itaque earum! Commodi quaerat, totam earum dolorem nulla perferendis ipsum rerum soluta! Corrupti inventore molestiae voluptate vitae adipisci dolore? Dicta vitae reiciendis ipsa necessitatibus, blanditiis vel tenetur illo dolore eaque sint aliquam ratione quisquam id hic iste et, alias asperiores dignissimos veniam quibusdam placeat, officiis voluptates. Delectus, aliquam culpa?

Close