Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1950

Region

Rongchu Valley Region > Reting

Accession number

2001.59.2.52.1

Image Dimensions

55 X 57 mm

Reting (rwa sgreng) monastery in the stoney valley of the Reting rongchu (rwa sgreng rong chu) river seen from above. The main temple and assembly hall are in the centre of the complex topped by a gilded roof.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Negative film nitrate

Date Acquired

Donated August 2001

Donated by

The executors of the estate of Hugh E. Richardson

Expedition

Richardson's 1950 Reting tour

Published

‘High Peaks, Pure Earth’, Hugh Richardson, London, Serindia Publications, 1998 [view list of illustrations]

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on front of negative album in Richardson's hand in white: '2' 'Ramagang, 'Ushang, Tshurphu rgyal, Misc pillars'. On the reverse of negative album written in blue ink on white labels in Richardson's hand: 'Hu zhang, Pa blon chen, Pha bong ka, Nyenchen thang lho, Rva sgreng, Khro 'brug, etc. etc.' [KC 10/3/2006]

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on negative index - Folio 55. 'Rva Sgreng'.

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Richardson Hand List. 'Album No. 2 [no.] 32. Reting (Rwa-sgreng) monastery founded in 1056 by Atisha's disciple 'Brom ston.'

Research publication - H. E. Richardson, High Peaks, Pure Earth' , London, Serindia Publications, 1998, plate 56. "Rwa-sgreng." [KC 09/11/2006]

Other Information - Setting

Other Information - Setting: Hugh Richardson discusses this site in High Peaks, Pure Earth , London, Serindia Publications, 1998, p. 311, " ... up the stony valley of the Rwa-sgreng Rong-chu [is] ... the famous Rwa-sgreng (1950) monastery, set delightfully in a forest of tall juniper trees, a rare sight in this part of Tibet. It was founded as the first monastery of the Bka'-gdams-pa school by Atisa's principle disciple 'Brom-ston, who brought with him relics of the master which were treasured in the main temple. ... Rwa-sgreng's many temples, halls and monastic residences are grouped closely together on the hillside, dominated by the small red tower and gilded canopy standing over the main altar in the gtsug-lag-khang and assembly hall. ... Among other buildings wer the tall bla-brang of the Rwa-sgreng Rin-po-che, with large windows on the upper storey, well-built residences for the five hundred monks, and other halls and chapels. ...'

Other Information - Dromtonpa ('brom ston pa, 1005-1064) was the founder of Kadampa (bka' gdams pa) order.[TS 15/3/2005]

Other Information - Reting monastery is the seat of Reting Rinpoche. The monastery was founded by Dromptonpa, Dromtonpa ('brom ston pa, 1005-1064) the chief disciple of Atisha. The abbot of Reting monastery served as regent of Tibet between 1845-44 and at the time of Richardson's residance in Lhasa the Reting was the regent, (1933-47).[TS 15/3/2005]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Reting Monastery" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_2001.59.2.52.1.html>.

For more information about photographic usage or to order prints, please visit the The Pitt Rivers Museum.