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Tibetan Buddhism originally refers to the branch of Buddhism that was introduced into Tibet, China. Together with Han Buddhism and Southern Buddhism, it is one of the three major geographical systems of Buddhism. However, Tibetan Buddhism is now widely spread and is distributed in the main Tibetan-inhabited areas in my country (Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan, etc.).
Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Zhangzhung Dynasty over 1,800 years ago. According to legend, the Buddha Shakyamuni of ancient Zhangzhung, Tsongkhapa, taught the "ancient Zhangzhung Dharma" in order to save all living beings. This is what we now refer to as "Bon religion". Its content covers various fields such as Buddhism, philosophy, literature, and medicine, and the relevant scriptures and documents are also very rich. The ancient Zhangzhung civilization developed brilliantly based on the spread of Bon religion. It is both the initial inheritance of Tibetan culture and the source of Tibetan Buddhism.
Today, follow my steps to visit the representative Tibetan Buddhist temples in Sichuan and Qinghai.
đź“ŤLocated in Changtuo Village, Acha Town, Baiyu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Yachen Gar is as famous as Serthar Buddhist Institute and is a large-scale place for Tibetan Buddhist practice and study.
Yachen Gar is located on Juem Island, which is surrounded by mountains. Thousands of small wooden houses for believers are built on the surrounding grassland wetlands. More than 20,000 Juem (female practitioners) live here permanently. It can be said to be a real country of women.
Inside the island is the world's largest community of nuns, while outside is the community of zaba (male monks). Every morning or evening, smoke from cooking fills the air, the river shimmers with golden light, and the sound of chanting drifts in from afar on the wind, like the sound of nature, moving the heart.
đź“ŤLocated in Tangmai Village, Gemo Township, northwest of Aba County, Sichuan Province, next to the Ajiu Highway, 13 kilometers away from the county seat
Gemo Monastery, also known as Huiyuan Monastery, is one of the branches of Labrang Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Yellow Sect. When you come here, you can see monks and believers standing on the street to greet you, wisps of green smoke rising from the incense burners, and the largest conjoined Buddhist temple building in China and the tallest seated Maitreya Buddha statue in China, which won the "Guinness World Record".
Gemo Temple is not open to the public as a tourist attraction, but visitors are allowed and no entrance fee is charged. There are very few visitors, making it suitable for tourists to come and experience the solemnity of Buddhism in any season.
Located in Guanyinqiao area, Jinchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, on the hillside of Nale Mountain at an altitude of 3,685 meters.
Locals say that Guanyin came first and the temple came later: According to legend, a long time ago, people found a Guanyin-like object with four arms underground. The believers firmly believed that this was a naturally formed divine object, so they worshipped it here, and the temple got its name from this.
Guanyin Temple is one of the holy places of Tibetan Buddhism. It has unique Jiarong culture and mysterious religious culture. It enjoys a lofty status among the Guanyin Bodhisattva temples in Tibetan areas across the country. It also interprets and explains the profound heritage and connotation of Jinchuan.
đź“ŤLocated in Gengda Village, Zhuqing Township, Derge County, Ganzi Prefecture
It is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma school (Red Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism.
In front of Zhuqing Temple is Queer Mountain, at the foot of which there are some remote temples. The mountains around the temple are dotted with caves and temples for practice, with a strong Buddhist atmosphere. In the more than 300 years since its construction, the temple has seen thirteen great rainbow body achievers and many enlightened people who have achieved enlightenment. It is also a holy place for practice with great blessing power.
đź“ŤLocated about 10 kilometers north of Shiqu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Seshu Monastery is one of the largest temple complexes in Ganzi Prefecture. It boasts a collection of over 100 temples, including numerous Buddhist statues and scriptures. Among its treasures are a 19-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue and a two-story gilded bronze stupa, both of which are extremely valuable. Located in Shiqu County, Seshu Monastery is remote and rarely visited.
Seshu Monastery holds a debate conference every year. Lamas come from Yellow Sect temples all over Tibet to participate in the debate. The scene is quite grand, and the temple shines brightly against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.
đź“ŤLocated in Zhangna Township, Litang County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, 84 kilometers away from the county seat
Lenggu Monastery, divided into two parts, the old and new, is the birthplace of the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. During its heyday, it boasted over 2,000 monks. The old Lenggu Monastery is located in the valley between Mount Genyen and adjacent mountains, while the new Lenggu Monastery is situated at the foot of the sacred Mount Genyen.
Lenggu Monastery occupies a relatively small area compared to other Tibetan Buddhist temples. Scattered around it are wooden houses where monks reside, the temple itself holds a unique treasure: a doe's antler, an inverted conch shell, and a unique white stone known as the "Heart of Genyen," which features naturally formed vein-like patterns. Visitors can admire these treasures up close.
đź“ŤLocated in the northwest corner of Aba County, Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
The temple has a history of more than 120 years. The great pagoda standing in Gelug Monastery is the core of Gelug Monastery and one of the large pagodas with an important position on the snowy plateau. Each floor has different Buddha statues and meanings, and even includes records of Princess Wencheng's marriage. Ordinary people can only visit the five floors of the pagoda, and visit one floor at a time and make different wishes.
đź“ŤLocated in the southeast of Kangding City, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Gonggar Temple is divided into the Old Gonggar Temple and the New Gonggar Temple. The Old Gonggar Temple is located at the foot of the main peak of Gongga Mountain. It has a history of more than 600 years. It covers a small area and is like a courtyard. It is a holy place for the practice and retreat of Gonggar Living Buddhas of all generations.
Every summer, the scripture hall of Gonggar Temple becomes the place for the Zhabas to chant scriptures. The Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined on the side is also very famous. It is surrounded by two layers of prayer wheels. Pilgrims come here to kowtow and turn the prayer wheels.
The New Gonggar Temple was built in the 14th century AD and was originally called Kangshiza Temple. It is located on the hillside of a mountain behind Gongga Mountain Township.
Gongga Temple, like a sacrifice to God, worships the sacred Mount Gongga calmly and dignifiedly. Under the towering snow-capped mountains, its tiny body cannot be ignored. The sacred mountain and the temple echo each other from afar, demonstrating the divine realm where heaven and man are in harmony.
đź“ŤLocated in Daofu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
The monks' residences at Huiyuan Temple are small, two-story wooden buildings, all painted red, making them very eye-catching. In front of the temple gates stands a long row of white pagodas, which, set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, create a majestic scene.
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￥5580 from 1496 people have registered Register now📍Located on the hillside of Zengu Mountain, where Xihang Village, Jiegu Town, Yushu County, Qinghai Province, is located.
The monastery's main buildings include the Great Sutra Hall, Xiezha, a retreat center, a Dharma Protector Hall, and 11 pagodas. Ten monk relics are enshrined within the monastery, which houses over a thousand volumes of Buddhist scriptures, including the Kangyur and Tengyur. The monastery also celebrates its traditional Caizhou religious festival, featuring a spectacular performance featuring over a hundred dancers. The renowned Mahavairocana Buddha Hall (commonly known as the Princess Wencheng Temple) is jointly administered by the monastery and the nearby Dolma Bangza Monastery.
đź“ŤGading Temple is located on the bank of Ziqu River in the upper reaches of Lancang River in Yushu County, Qinghai Province
The geographical location of Gading Temple is very wonderful. The river in front of the temple is Quhe River, a tributary of the Lancang River. There is a Tibetan village built on the mountain next to the temple.
The river bends and draws a perfect S shape in front of the temple. The best place to take photos is on the hillside on the other side of the Ziqu River. You can overlook the panoramic view of Gading Temple surrounded by Ziqu. The direction of the river is like a big Tai Chi symbol.
đź“ŤLocated in Bamai Village, Baizha Township, Nangqian County, Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province
It is a Tibetan Buddhist temple "inlaid" on the cliff.
After exiting the Gar Monastery Grand Canyon, you'll gaze upon the Gar Monastery, perched atop a cliff face at an altitude of over 3,700 meters. The north side of the mountain is shrouded in grotesque peaks and cliffs, chilly and windy, while the south side is sunny and warm. Gar Monastery's hundreds of buildings are scattered irregularly across the southern slope, from the bottom to the summit.
The winding mountain road goes over mountains and hills and leads directly to the gate of Gar Temple. There is also a large parking lot next to the temple. There are only about 10 households around. Apart from monks, few other people come here. It can be said to be a truly niche attraction.
đź“ŤLocated at the source of the Yellow River, in Maqin County, Golog Prefecture, Qinghai Province, on the east side of the Amaniqing Snow Mountain
Lari Temple covers an area of ​​over 400 mu (approximately 1,000 hectares). Its main buildings include the Pramana Academy, the Tantric Academy, the Hall of Eighty Accomplishments of India, and three scripture halls, creating a rich ethnic atmosphere. The temple boasts over 30 prayer wheels of various sizes and 111 pagodas of various sizes.
Many believers gather at Lari Temple every year to participate in the Vajrayogini Dharma Assembly, the Lantern Festival Dharma Assembly, the Naropa Dharma Assembly, the Samantabhadra Prayer Dharma Assembly, the Buddha Sunbathing Festival Dharma Assembly, etc., as well as to visit the Sutra Debate Dharma Assembly.
đź“ŤLocated in the southwest of Xinghai County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Saizong Mountain is located in the central part of Xinghai County. It is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in the Anduo Tibetan area. The mountain is steep and beautiful. From a distance, it looks like a giant elephant drinking water, with its trunk hanging down in the Qiemo Valley in front of the temple.
The mountain is covered with ravines and caves, and is covered with ancient pines and cypresses, creating a lush and beautiful scene. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of the Nyingma school, Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school, and the first eminent monk of Longwu Monastery, Sheritsang Gaden Gyatso, all lived here, leaving behind relics.
These Tibetan Buddhist temples are not only the inheritance of Buddhism, but also the symbol of Tibetan culture. They also preserve historical relics from various dynasties. These precious cultural treasures have penetrated into every aspect of our lives.
Come here and feel the solemnity and peace of the temples. No matter what your beliefs are, we hope that you will have a pious and awe-inspiring heart when visiting these temples.
