A peek into Buddhist culture at Ladakh's oldest monastery

LamayuruMonastery in Ladakh, which is believed to be the oldest in the region, providesan insight into Buddhist culture through its ancient paintings and muralsFounded in the 11th century, the monastery is a majorattraction for visitors and Buddhist scholars It belongs to the Red-Hat sect ofBuddhism and houses around 150 Buddhist monksThe monastery is acomplex of buildings with shrines dedicated to different gods and incarnationsof Lord Buddha It has a magnificent collection of.wallpaintings.The monastery was rebuilt after invaders destroyed it Italso houses a cave, where an 11th century Indian Buddhist scholar meditated foryears"There was a temple here which was demolished by dogras whenthey invaded the region The monastery has a cave where Lama Naropa meditated,"said Norboo Martse, a scholarAccording to folklore, the place wherethe monastery is situated was covered with lake water; however, when Naropameditated there he caused the water of the lake to recede, thereby paving.wayfor the construction of the monastery.