Lhasa Tsuglagkhang
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Lhasa Tsuglagkhang ( Tib .: lha sa gtsug lag khang ), loosely translated the “sanctuary of Lhasa ”, is the most important religious site of Tibetan Buddhism .
history
The nucleus of the Lhasa Tsuglagkhang is the Jokhang (tib .: jo khang ), which with the Jowo Rinpoche (tib .: jo bo rin po che ) contains the most important statue in Tibet.
At the turn of the 14th century, it was Tsongkhapa Losang Dragpa (Tib .: btsong kha pa blo bzang grags pa ) (1357–1419), the founder of the Yellow Hat School , who, knowing its unique historical significance, made this site the center of the Tibetan Buddhist world by expanding what was presumably a relatively small site into an extensive complex. At that time, the Jokhang, which was probably already equipped with a few side chapels, was expanded into a three-storey temple complex with numerous chapels, which became known as Lhasa Tsuglagkhang due to its location and importance.
This site formed the center of the extensive New Year celebrations that the Gelug followers would celebrate from then on, which lasted about three weeks and became known as Mönlam Chenmo (Tib .: smon lam chen mo ). During these celebrations, in front of the most learned Gelug monks and lamas, the title of Geshe Lharampa (Tib .: dge bshes lha ram pa ), a kind of “Doctor of Philosophy”, was awarded to only a very few every year. These celebrations continued almost continuously until the middle of the 20th century. They always ended with a procession in which a statue of Maitreya, which was considered to be particularly blessing, was carried over the Barkhor in Lhasa Tsuglagkhang . The photos that travelers took of the Great Prayer in the first half of the 20th century are some of the most impressive photos of Tibet. Ernst Schäfer left a detailed description of the festival, which was supplemented by numerous events throughout Lhasa .
The Lhasa Tsuglagkhang, which was the center of ancient Lhasa, is surrounded by some smaller religious sites such as the Meru Nyingpa (Tib .: me ru rnying pa ). Together they form the center of the Barkhor, the so-called "Middle Circular Path".
literature
- Andre Alexander: The Temples of Lhasa. Tibetan Buddhist Architecture from the 7th to the 21st Century. Serindia, Chicago 2005.
- F. Spencer Chapman: Lhasa the Holy City . R. & R. Clark, London 1940, reprint ISBN 0-8369-6712-7 ; Chinese translation (2004) ISBN 7-80057-460-1 .
- Karl-Heinz Everding: Tibet. Lamaistic monastery culture, nomadic way of life and everyday rural life on the 'roof of the world'. DuMont art travel guide, Ostfildern 2009.
- Michael Henss: Tibet. The cultural monuments. OO (1981).
- Knut Larsen and Amund Sinding-Larsen: The Lhasa Atlas. Traditional Tibetan Architecture and Townscape. Shambala, Boston 2001.
- Rong Ma: Han and Tibetan Residential Patterns in Lhasa . In: The China Quarterly 128: 814-835 (December 1991).
- Ernst Schäfer: Festival of the White Veil. Braunschweig 1949.
- Vladimir Sis and Josef Vaniš : The way to Lhasa. Images from Tibet. Artie, Prague 1956.
- L. Austine Waddell: Lhasa ad its Mysteris. London 1905.
Web links
Coordinates: 29 ° 39 ′ 11 " N , 91 ° 7 ′ 53" E