DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile today expressed their condolences to Tibetans in Lithang for the destruction caused by fire to the historic Lithang monastery in Kardze, Kham. The main prayer hall of the monastery was severely destroyed by a massive fire that erupted on 16 November 2013.

“We express our heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the local Tibetans and especially the monks of Lithang monastery. We pray for the quick restoration of the monastery which serves as a great centre of learning for Tibetans,” the Tibetan Parliament said.

The Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling monastery also known as Lithang monastery was founded in 1580 by the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso.  Since its founding, the monastery has produced a huge number of Tibetan Buddhist scholars and intellectuals.  

The monastery also suffered bombardments from Chinese communist forces during the occupation of eastern Tibet in the 1950s. The destruction caused to the monastery by Chinese forces were restored and the monastery has since then rebuild itself as one of the leading centres of Buddhist dialectics in Tibet.