Samye, Special Protector Lhakang - Additional Images
A separate building at the Samye Monastery complex houses the special protector named Tsi'u Marpo. Although a worldly deity by definition, he was placed as the guardian of Samye in the 17th century after the 5th Dalai Lama moved the previous Samye protector, Pehar Gyalpo, to Nechung Monastery (located immediately below the huge Drepung Monastery complex on the outskirts of Lhasa).
The Tsi'u Marpo Ukang is filled with masks and sculpture along with one monkey (who stays outside). It is said that in the collection of Tsi'u Marpo retinue figures the monkey is the secret messenger for the protector deity.