One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple, erected to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. It contains a 15-meter (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya Buddha - the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two storeys of the building. As the largest Buddha statue deified in the monastery, it took four years to craft. It was made by the local artists, under the master Nawang Tsering of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Leh) - in clay, gold paint, and copper.

One of the older monks told me the story about The Buddha`s Eyes - Buddhists do not worship statues and religious artifacts. A Buddha’s image is used as an inspiration for creating and spreading positive human qualities. The most important moment in the construction of the Buddha’s figure is when the eyes are painted on, for this is the moment when the statue can “see”. For this reason, the artist or monk will paint in Buddha’s pupils over his shoulder, with his back to the idol, for none will dare to look the Buddha in the eye. This statement intrigued my curiosity, and, upon returning, home I tried to gather additional information. I did find mention in the book "The Puppet and the Dwarf: The Perverse Core Of Christianity," by Slavoj Zizek, that the artist can not look the statue in the face, but work with his back to it; painting sideways, or over his shoulder, using a mirror which catches the gaze of the image he is bringing to life. It goes on further to say that, once he is finished he now has a dangerous gaze himself, and is led away blindfolded. The blindfold is removed only after his eyes can fall on something that he then symbolically destroys. Perhaps someone who has knowledge of this subject matter could leave a comment on this article, and enlighten me as to these statements; I would appreciate it.

The highlight of visiting the Ladakh monasteries is arriving very early in the mornings and trying to witness the Puja (morning prayers). The monks are very co-operative, and, with a good guide, they will give visitors a demonstration of blowing the horns for the morning ritual.