In Zhanang County, Shannan, Tibet, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, lies one of the most important monasteries of Nyingma - Mindrolling Monastery (Mindrolling Monastery). It was built in 1676 by Terdak Lingpa (1646–1714), a Tibetan excavation master. Together with the Dorje Drak Monastery in the north, it is known as the two centers of Nyingma's "Southern Tradition" and "Northern Tradition".

"Minzhu Lin" (སྨིན་གྲོལ་གླིང་) means "mature liberation continent" - maturity and liberation are the two wings of tantric practice: maturity refers to the initiation, which enables the disciples to mature continuously; liberation refers to the oral instructions, so that the disciples can achieve liberation. Naming a temple after this is equivalent to writing the entire path of Nyingma on the lintel.

The founder of Mindrolling Monastery, Terdak Lingpa (1646–1714), is one of the most important diggers in the history of Nyingma and the guru of the fifth the Dalai Lama.

"The Digger" is a character unique to Nyingma (see 伏藏的缘起 for details). The Terma method introduced by Minlin Deqin covers many aspects such as yidam, Dharma protection, medicine and rituals, and is still circulated in Nyingma today. His family later became one of the most important inheritance families of Nyingma, and his younger brother Lochen Dharmaśrī was a famous scholar, proficient in Sanskrit and Five Ming Dynasties.

It is worth noting that the creation of Minzhulin was supported by the Fifth Generation the Dalai Lama. This shows that although Nyingma and Gelug have different emphasis on teachings, they are not antagonistic in history - the fifth Dalai Lama himself received Dharma from Nyingma master and supported the construction of Nyingma temple.

From the very beginning, this temple has had both the characteristics of "Terma inheritance" and "academic organization".

The positioning of Minzhu Lin among the six mother temples of Nyingma is roughly equivalent to Drepung or Salad of Gelug - it is the center of doctrine and classics.

It has three strengths:

• Precepts and Sangha Regulations - Minzhu Lin is famous for its strict precepts, and the order of monks' study and practice is clearly regulated.
• Compilation and engraving of classics——Historically, Minzhu Forest housed a large number of woodcut scripture editions. Many classics of Nyingma were collated, printed and circulated here, and it was called the "Sutra Collection Pavilion" of Nyingma.
• Rituals and Music - Minzhulin's Vajra Dance and chanting music (especially the Sanskrit chanted by "Minlin") are unique in Tibet and are regarded as a model of Nyingma rituals.

In contrast, Dorje Drak Temple focuses on Terma practice and Wrath yidam. One south and one north, one east and one repair, constitute the two poles of complementarity within Nyingma.

For scholars who study Nyingma, Minzhu Lin is of particular significance: Many of the Nyingma classics that can be read today were preserved by the scriptures in this temple.

After the mid-twentieth century, Mindrolling Monastery suffered serious damage. It has been gradually restored since the 1980s and has now been restored as an important dojo of Nyingma. In addition, its heritage has rebuilt Mindrolling Monastery (Exiled Version) in Dehradun, India, and has become one of the centers of overseas Nyingma.

Today's Minzhu Forest places equal emphasis on incense and learning. The temple holds the Puba Vajra Dharma Assembly, Guru Rinpoche Puja and Vajra Dance as usual every year. Among them, the Vajra Dance in the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar and the Tenth Puja Puja in the Tibetan calendar are the most famous. Believers from all over the world gather on this day.

Interestingly, Minzhulin is also famous for its Tibetan incense. The Tibetan incense formula produced in the temple originates from tradition and is regarded as one of the representatives of Nyingma ritual incense and is still in circulation today.

A temple's ability to maintain vitality for hundreds of years often relies on more than just its architecture: it is the set of rituals that are still being used, the scriptures that are still being revised, and the incense that is still being lit.

Q: Where is Mindrolling Monastery?

A: It lies in Dranang County, Lhoka (Shannan), Tibet, on the south bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo, facing Samye Monastery across the river to the north; the two are not far apart.

Q: What does "Mindrolling" mean?

A: In Tibetan it means "Island of Maturation and Liberation." "Maturation" refers to empowerment (initiation), and "liberation" to oral instructions—together summing up the two wings of Vajrayana practice.

Q: What is its relation to Dorje Drak Monastery?

A: The two are the two great centers of Nyingma's "Southern" and "Northern" transmissions. Mindrolling emphasizes doctrine and textual compilation, while Dorje Drak emphasizes terma and wrathful-deity practice; the two complement each other.

Q: Can one visit it?

A: Yes. Mindrolling is open to devotees and visitors. It is best to visit with a respectful attitude, avoiding the periods of ceremonies and the monks' practice sessions, and not to photograph or make noise inside the halls.

• Samye Monastery, Tibet.jpg · Lark Ascending / Public domain

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