About

Lingdum Monastery, also known as Ranka Monastery, was built in the Tibetan architectural style and is an important site of prayer. The monastery also serves as a training facility for new and novice monks. Lingdum Monastery adheres to the Zurmang Kagyud tradition of Buddhism, which is led by the lineage’s 12th heir, Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche.
The main shrine (the equivalent of the chaitya) stands in a large enclosed compound with two courtyards, with the main gate on the south. The lower courtyard has a series of classrooms rising up to two floors along its edges on the east, west, and on the south, interrupted by the gate. The upper courtyard is located on a higher ledge of the hillside and is accessible through a broad set of stairs on the northern end of the lower courtyard. The upper courtyard has rooms on the east, west, and north, rising up to two floors.
The shrine stands on the northern end of the upper courtyard. It is a grand edifice rising up five floors, with successively receding terraces. The uppermost floor has three pagodas with flaring wudan roofs, The roofs on the east and west are square, while the central is the largest, and has a rectangular profile with an east-west ridge. All three are topped by a gilded finial.
The deer-and-dharmachakra logo (the deer representing compassion and wisdom, as well as symbolising the deer park in Sarnath where the Buddha gave his first sermon) is seen on the top of the third floor.
The interior of the shrine, and the verandah through which the shrine is accessed are decorated with murals depicting Buddha, scenes from his life, and other deities such as Virudhaka, Virupaksha, Dhritarashtra, and Vaisravana, the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism, who are the guardians of the four cardinal directions.
The main prayer hall has a 5m tall gilded idol of Buddha alongside a smaller statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The walls are adorned with beautiful thangka paintings and colourful hand-stitched wall hangings. The ceiling is adorned with geometrical and floral patterns.
There is a significant collection of Buddhist texts in the prayer hall.
There is a long row of prayer wheels in front of the main gate.

The Mase school (the equivalent of the vihara) is a stand alone building on the east of the main shrine.

There is a set of two Stupas and a pagoda in the monastery complex on the west of the main shrine.