Nechung
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Nechung or Nechung Chok (The seat of the State Oracle) is located near Drepung Monastery and was the residence of Pehar, the chief protector of the Gelugs (Yellow Hat sect) and the seat of the State Oracle or Nechung Oracle, who now lives in exile in Dharamsala, India.
It was the residence of the Protector Pehar, a deity of the Horpas, who lived to the east of (Lake) Kokonor. He is said to have been brought to Samye Monastery by Padmasambhava but was finally housed near Drepung.
Although the Nechung continued to be Nyingma a monk, he was adopted by the Gelugpas during the reign of the Great 5th Dalai Lama, and has been the medium for prophecy and instruction ever since. He was chosen by the Gelugpas for his receptivity to possession by Pehar.
Nechung was almost completely destroyed during the "cultural revolution" but has now been largely restored. There is a college of debate to the east of Nechung which is once again attended by young students.
[edit] References
- Dowman, Keith. The Power-places of Central Tibet: The Pilgrim's Guide. 1988. Routledge & kegan Paul, London. ISBN 0-7102-1370-0