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Description: Samye Monsstery is the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, constructed in approximately 775 AD under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen of Tibet who sought to revitalize Buddhism, which had declined since its introduction by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The monastery is located in Dranang, Shannan Prefecture.

According to tradition, the Indian monk Shantarakshita made the first attempt to construct the monastery while promoting his sutra -centric version of Buddhism. Finding the Samye site auspicious he set about to build a structure there. However the building would always collapse after reaching a certain stage. Terrified, the construction workers believed that there was a demon or obstructive thoughtform in a nearby river making trouble. However, when Shantarakshita's contemporary Padmasambhava arrived from northern India, he was able to subdue the energetic problems obstructing the building of Samye. According to The Fifth Dalai Lama, Padmasambhava performed the Vajrakilaya Dance to assist King Trisong Deutsen and Shantarakshita clear away obscurations and hindrances in the building of Samye.

Samye Monastery is laid out on the shape of a giant mandala, with the main temple representing the legendary Mt. Meru in the centre. Other buildings stand at the corners and cardinal points of the main temple, representing continents and other features of the Buddhist universe.The main temple is full of Tibetan religious art in both mural and statue form, as well as some important relics. Many Tibetan Buddhists come on pilgrimage to Samye, some taking weeks to make the journey.