The History of Zha Lu Monastery, Ri sbug Hermitage and rGyan gong Temple

Dissertation study of Zhwa-lu Monastery (a.k.a. Shalu Monastery or Zhalu), a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery which is located in the traditional region of Tsang (Tib. Gtsang) in Tibet and associated with the Sakya School. The study is based largely on the biographical collection known as the "Mkhan brgyud rnam thar" by Zhwa-lu Ri-sbug Sprul-sku Blo-gsal-bstan-skyong (b. 1804), but is also supplemented with extensive textual and field research. Includes an annotated English translation of the first two chapters of the Mkhan brgyud rnam thar, as well as brief histories of nearby Ri-phug-byang-gling (a.k.a Riphuk hermitage) and Rgyan gong gtsug lag khang (a.k.a. Gyengong Temple).