Tibetan and Himalayan Library - THL

I.2. Residential Structures in Other Locations: Religious and Elite Residences

Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa

Basic site data

• Site name: Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa129
• Site number: B-118
• Site typology: I.2c
• Elevation: 4770 m
• Administrative location (township): ZhungméGzhung smad
• Administrative location (county): ShentsaShan rtsa
• Survey expedition: HTCE
• Survey date: September 30, 2002
• Contemporary usage: Pastoral camp.
• Identifiable Buddhist constructions: Painted Riksum GönpoRigs gsum mgon po mantras.
• Maps: UTRS VIII, HAS D4
• View Place Dictionary Entry
• View Site Images

General site characteristics

The cave complex of Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa is found in a red and white limestone escarpment, which runs along the north side of a small eponymous valley. In the valley there are various springs, thus this site, with its adequate shelter, is ideal for human settlement. Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa consists of three interconnected caves found behind a big ledge in the formation. This 35 m long, 3 m- to 4 m wide ledge appears to have been fully enclosed by a masonry façade, tiny portions of which have survived along the eastern and western extremities. The three caves of the site have heavily fire-blackened ceilings and are now used to corral sheep and goats. The caves have the following dimensions: east chamber (around 7.3 m by 7.5 m), central chamber (10 m by 11 m) and west chamber (approximately 9.5 m across).

On the west wall of the west chamber the Buddhist Riksum GönpoRigs gsum mgon po mantras were painted long ago in red ochre on a white background. The painting of these mantras seems to have been carried out in order to bring the site within the auspices of Buddhism. The lack of other Buddhist monuments at the site, its subterranean aspect, and the existence of BönBon pictographs in other caves in the area (J-15, J-16), allude to a BönBon identity for the cave sanctuary. The residential center of Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa was probably a religious center of the prehistoric and/or early historic (archaic cultural horizon) inhabitants of the region. Certainly the presence of a good supply of fresh water and adequate shelter suggest that it has long been the focus of habitation. As Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa is still in economic use and located near drokpa’brog pa habitations, the preservation of its structural remains is not as good as it might have been otherwise.

Oral tradition

The drokpa’brog pa of the area call Kyidrom GönpaSkyid sgrom dgon pa an ancient cave monastery.

Site elements

Anterooms

It would appear that the ledge in front of the caves supported a series of anterooms. This ledge is suspended approximately 20 m above the valley floor. The masonry wall lining the outer rim of this natural structure is highly eroded and fragmentary. The random-work façade of the central chamber was constructed of variable-sized pieces of limestone (15 cm to 70 cm long) that were profusely mud mortared. The east portion of the façade has a maximum height of 3.5 m and is 1 m thick at the base. Near the top section of this stonework front there is a small window. Minute traces of red ochre coloring are still distinguishable on the façade.

Cave complex

From the ledge there are south-facing entrances to both the west and central chambers. The central chamber contains a room (5.7 m by 3.8 m by 2 m) with well-built freestanding masonry walls that sequester it from the rest of the cave. There is a niche in the north wall of this room. A passageway connects the central and west chambers. The entrance to the west chamber descends around 3 m to the outer ledge below. Where this entrance joins the west chamber, there is a 2.5 m long wall that forms a landing. In the rear of this 3 m high cave there is a naturally elevated area. In front of this uplifted space there is an adobe platform (1.6 m by 1 m by 20 cm). The east chamber appears to have remained in a raw state.

Notes