Jokhang Temple, Lhasa(358 views)

Release date:2011-07-17 19:27:55

As you move around in Lhasa, you can find spirituality almost everywhere; in people, on roads, in art and sculpture etc. You will be surprised by the simple beauty of the villages and simple life of the locals. Jokhang Temple, the important pilgrimage centre of Buddhism in Tibet is considered as a part of UNESCO World Heritage site Potala Palace. There is an interesting history and few legends behind the construction of Jokhang Temple.

King Songtsem Gampo, promoted Buddhism during his reign and initiated peace with neighboring countries. As a result of peace treaty between Tibet and Nepal and Tibet and China, two marriage alliances were made between three countries. The two foreign brides, Bhrikuti from Nepal and Wen Cheng from China, brought two Buddha statues along with them. A little Jokhang was built in order to house Buddha statue brought by Chinese Princess. Since Nepalese Princess also wanted similar setup made for her, King Songtsem Gampo built a huge building with eight shrines. In course of time it faced multiple renovations that gradually expanded the size of the building complex. Legend says, after many failed attempts to build a temple, a former lake site was chosen by Wen Cheng as the construction site. According to the princess, Tibet’s geographical pattern is similar to a crooked witch and hence they need to fill the lake, which is the heart of the witch. Prior to the construction of the temple, she ordered the land to be filled with mountain soil carried by 1000 goats. In 647 AD construction of the temple was completed and was called Ra Sa Vphrul Snang. It saw the beginning of Buddhism in Tibet and emergence of Ra sa City, which later became Lhasa.

Buddhism became wide spread in Tibet mainly because of Jokhang Temple. The temple, which means ‘House of Buddha’, is the main house of Gelugpa or Yellow branch of Buddhism. It is situated in the Barkhor Square at the centre of Lhasa and covers an area of about 25,100 square kilometers. The Temple that has four floors with gilded roof is a fine example of Tibetan, Nepalese and Chinese architecture styles and is very rich in art works; for e.g. intricate patterns of bells, birds, beasts etc. In the temple compound you can see two steles; one is the inscription of the treaty between Emperor of Tang and King of Tibet and other stele is inscribed with precautions and cure for smallpox. Along the walk-around of the main temple are the twisting sutra drums. The frescoes of 1000 Buddhas cover the walls in the courtyard. You can find pilgrims praying and kneeling, turning sutra drums, burning incenses inside the complex. The statue of Avalokitesvara, with 11 faces, 1000 arms and 1000 eyes on palms, is situated in the main prayer hall.

In the eastern wing is the 1,300 year old main hall, the oldest shrine of the temple complex. Leading to the main hall is a row of lights. Above the main entrance of the hall, you can see the statues of two deer on each side of dharma chakra, which stands for unity. On the walls of the corridors temple’s history is beautifully painted. It is here that the statue of 12 year old Buddha is housed and is the main reason for the importance given to the temple. It is said that this statue was initially in Ramoche Monastery but a few years later the Chinese Princess brought it to Jokhang Temple. Though Buddha was not in favor for erecting his statue for worship, he designed three statues to build. This 12 year old Buddha’ statue is said to be one among them. The Buddha statue is gilded and adorned with numerous jewels, which throws light to the life he lead as a 12 year old prince back in India. Plenty of pilgrims and monks travel a long distance just to worship this statue, to see how the divine form was 2500 years ago. On the second storey, statues of King Songtsem Gampo, Chinese Princess Wen Cheng, and Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti are exhibited while on the top floor gilded bronze tile tops that crafted in Tang style is exhibited.

During Tibetan New Year, the Great Prayer Festival is celebrated at the Jokhang Temple and plenty of colorful activities including religious activities are conducted here. Whole Lhasa can be seen celebrating this event. It is a religious belief to take a clock-wise walk round the temple, which is known as ‘kora’, the sacred path. It is no wonder if someone finds his inner self, and move towards spirituality after visiting here.

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