Source: tibet.cn

04-24-2008 17:57

Tibet boasts numerous monasteries and temples. The famous ones are the Jokhang Monastery, the Zhebung Monastery, the Sera Monastery, and the Gandain Monastery in Lhasa; the Zhaxi Lhunbo Monastery in Xigaze; the Sagya Monastery in Sagya County and the Baiqoi Monastery in Gyangze county.

The Jokhang Monastery: This is a well-known monastery of the Yellow (or Gelug) Sect of Lamaism, built in the 7th century. It is believed that its location was chosen by Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty, the wife of Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo. She designed the layout, and the king's other wife, a princess from Nepal, supervised its construction. In this monastery, a statue of Sakyamuni was enshrined, brought there by Princess Wencheng from Chang'an, capital of the Tang Dynasty. Before the monastery stands a stone tablet commemorating the Tang-Tubo alliance.

The Drepung Monastery: This was built in 1416, and is now the largest monastery constructed by the Yellow Sect. It houses a large number of Buddhist classics and cultural relics. In 1653, when the fifth Dalai Lama was appointed by Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty as local political and religious ruler of Tibet, the monastery began to serve as the headquarters of the local government of Tibet.

The Sera Monastery: First built in 1419, this is also one of the major monasteries of the Yellow Sect. A great number of historical relics are housed here, including the world-famous Tibetan Tripitaka (a series of Buddhist scriptures) written din powdered gold, and scrolls of calligraphy and painting from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Zhaxi Lhunbo Monastery: Built by the first Dalai Lama, it is the main Yellow Sect monastery in eastern Tibet. Its construction started in 1447 and took 12 years to complete. It was repaired and expanded to its present dimensions by the Panchen of succeeding generation. It houses numerous Buddhist classics and historical artifacts, notably the largest statue of Qamba Buddha, at 26.2 meters tall.

The Sagya Monastery: Standing on the banks of the Zhongqu River 150 kilometers southwest of Xigaze, this is the main monastery of the Sagya Sect of Lamaism. It includes two sections: the northern section was first built in 1079. During the mid-13th century, whey Pagba, the leader of the Sayga Sect, was entrusted the power to administer political and religions affairs in Tibet by the Yuan emperor, the monastery began to be extended into a group of palaces. The southern section was built in 1268 and has been kept in good condition. The monastery's construction reflects a blend of Tibetan, Han and Mongolian architectural styles. The main building is the hall for sutra chanting. The monastery houses a great number of hand-written Buddhist classics, as well as gifts and tokens bestowed by emperors of the Yuan Dynasty, and there is also a large mural depicting Pagba being received by Kublai Khan, emperor of the Yuan Dynasty.

The Chinese government has designated the Potala Palace, the three monasteries of Jokhong, Zhebung an Sera in Lhasa, and the Zhaxi Lhunbo Monastery in Xigaze as important cultural relics units under national protection. The state has allocated substantial funds towards reconstruction of the Gandain and other monasteries, as well as for renovating a number of famous monasteries in need of repair, including the Sagya, and the Qambaling Monastery in Qamdo.

 

Editor:Xiong Qu