A: 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. |
