Kongpo

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Kongpo Region or Nyingtri prefecture is located to the east of Lhasa. Unlike the northern and western part of Tibet, this region is mostly a forested area with diversified wildlife and steep Mountains topography.

In the prefecture seat, there is a hill called Kongpo Pelri, which is blessed by Tonpa Shenrap, the founder of Bön, Tibet’s local religion. Many consider Poyul or Pome County of this prefecture as the birthplace of Tibet’s first Tsenpo, or King, Named Nyatri Tsenpo.

Pemakod or Medok County of kongpo lies in the rugged Himalayan borderlands and is considered a Pureland of Buddha Vajrasattva. Devoted pilgrims journey there to receive his blessing. A Tibetan folk song goes, “If I am alone, where else would I want to go than Pemakod? But my parents to be taken care of, how could I go there?”. It is believed to be like heaven, which is difficult to access for sinful people.

The famous Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge is located in Menling County of this prefecture, running between the mighty snow mountains of Namchakbawa and Gyalwa Pelri. The beautiful BasumTso Lake is easily accessible and ringed by dense forest and Snow Mountains.

There is a famous Temple at Lamaling called Zangdok Pelri, which means “copper coloured Mountain”, and is considered the paradise of Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava. The Nyingmapa master Dudjom Rinpoche founded this monastery. He is considered to be one of the greatest teachers of the 20th century. Later, his disciple Chonyi Rinpoche was rebuilt and is now a very active centre for monks and nuns and lay practitioners from all over Tibet.

The first Medical school of Tibet, founded by Yutok Yonten Gonpo, the royal doctor of Tibetan king Trisong Detsen in the eighth century, is also located in Kongpo Region.