The Jokhang Temple Lhasa — Tibet¸ China
The Jokhang also called the Qokang Monastery, Jokang, Jokhang Temple,
Jokhang Monastery or Zuglagkang, is located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa.
For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet.
It is in some regards pan-sectarian, but is controlled by the Gelug
school. The temple's architectural style is a mixture of Indian vihara
design, Chinese Tang Dynasty design, and Nepalese design.
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| The Jokhang Temple Lhasa — Tibet¸ China [Photo — Link] |
It was founded during the reign of king Songsten Gampo. According to
tradition, the temple was built for the two brides of the king, Princess
Wencheng of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal.
Both wives are said to have brought important Buddhist statues and
images from China and Nepal to Tibet as part of their dowries, and they
were housed here. Many Nepalese artists worked to construct this temple.
During the Bon period of Tibet the temple was (and sometimes still is),
called the Zuglagkang (House of Religious Science or House of Wisdom).
The term zuglag refers to the 'sciences' such as geomancy, astrology,
and divination which formed part of the Pre-Buddhist shamanistic
religion now referred to as Bon. It is more commonly known today as the
Jokhang, which means the 'House of the Buddha'. Along with the Potala Palace,
it is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Lhasa. It is part
of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Ensemble of the Potala
Palace," and a spiritual center of Lhasa.
History — The Jokhang temple was first constructed by King Songtsän
Gampo (see also internet variant Songsten Gampo) probably in 642. It was
originally called the Rasa Tulnang Tsuklakang or The House of
Mysteries, The Magical Emanation at Rasa [the early name for Lhasa].
Both Bhrituti and Wencheng, the Nepalese and Chinese wives of Songsten
Gampo are said to have brought important Buddhist statues and images to
Tibet as part of their dowries, and they were housed here.
It was boarded up during the reign of the Bönpo king, Langdharma
(reigned 838–841 CE). The famous Buddhist Master Atisha taught here in
the 11th century and it has been considered the most important temple in
Lhasa ever since.
This temple has remained a key center of Buddhist pilgrimage for
centuries. It was sacked several times by the Mongols, but the building
survived. In the past several centuries the temple complex was expanded
and now covers an area of about 25,000 sq. meters.
In July 1966, the monastery was sacked and desecrated by Red Guards
during the so-called Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Thousands of
Buddhist scriptures were looted and burned.
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