Monastic life
There are currently around 60 monks living at Tabo Monastery. The head of the monastery administration is Venerable Zangpo la who has been with the monastery since 1973.
The activities of the monastery include the following:
- Providing an education to the monks, to equip them to promote the Bhoti (Tibetan) language and Buddhist philosophy.
- Providing the monks with debating skills.
- Training the monks in the mask dance.
- Maintaining a mini museum, which houses rare historic artefacts.
- Maintaining a small library, which has been set up for the use of visitors and local villagers.
- Organising the annual celebration for Buddha Jayanti (Vesak) and Gutor Festival; and organising the Chakhar Festival every three years.
- Providing seminars on the preservation of the local Tibetan culture and promoting a pollution-free environment.
To undertake its charitable activities, Tabo Monastery established the Institute of Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Tribal Cultural Society at Tabo, which is a charitable organisation registered under the Society Registration Act in Dharamsala (India).
Venerable Zangpo la entered Tabo Monastery as a monk in 1973, at the age of 15. He is the head of the monastery administration and President of the Institute of Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Tribal Cultural Society at Tabo. In addition, Venerable Zangpo-la manages the Serkong School, which aims to provide a modern education to young people in Spiti Valley, with a special focus on children from poor families and orphans.
He actively promotes the Bhoti language in Spiti and works to preserve the local cultural heritage. He is experienced in tantric ritual dance, Tibetan thangka painting, traditional monastery paintings and the construction of stupas in the local tradition. He was also involved in organising Kalachakra initiations at Tabo and leading religious activities at Tabo Monastery.
