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The unique
culture and long history makes Lhasa in Tibet a
shining pearl on the snow-covered plateau. Being the
Tibetan center of Buddhism throughout the centuries,
Lhasa boasts row upon row of magnificent Buddhist
buildings, including the well-known
Jokhang Temple,
Drepung Monastery,
Sera Monastery and
Ganden
Monastery.
Jokhang
Temple
Located in the center of old Lhasa city, Jokhang
Temple is the prime seat of the Gelugpa (Yellow)
Branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Originally built in 647,
the site of the temple was carefully chosen by the
Tang (618-907) Princess Wen Cheng, the wife of the
King Songtsan Gampo. She built the temple to
counteract evil forces. "Jokhang" means "the House
of Buddha". The craftsmen from Tibet, other parts in
China and Nepal built it together and so it features
different architectural styles.
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Jokhang
Temple is a four-storey building complex. Its
architectural style is a combination of the Tang
Dynasty, Tibet and Nepal. Every year, a large number
of prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and tourists at home
and abroad go there pray or visit. The annual Great
Prayer Festival, the ceremonies of initiation for
the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama are also held in the
temple.
Chinese name of this temple: Da Zhao Si
How to get there: visitors can walk, take
three-wheeler or taxi to the downtown center in
Lhasa.
sources: xinhua net |
