Rizong Monastery

Rizong, also called Yuma Changchubling, is a Gelugpa monastery in Ladakh, high in a rocky side valley north of the Indus, west of Alchi on the road to Lamayuru. It began as a hermitage started by Lama Tsultim Nima, who meditated in the mountains nearby. As monks gathered and the king of Ladakh gave rich gifts, he raised the present monastery at Ri-rdzong in 1831, with villagers giving their labour.

Rizong is known for its severe discipline. Monks may leave only when sick, may own nothing, may light no fire in their rooms and must not touch anything a woman has handled. Around 40 monks live here, and the Chulichan nunnery, about 2 kilometres away, has some 20 nuns. Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated in the surrounding caves, where hermits once lived for years on one daily meal passed through a small window. The monastery has three large chambers, two of them holding images of the Buddha.