Tibet | The Spiritual Home in Every Tibetan's Heart.

In Lhasa, you often see devout Buddhists prostrating every three steps. Many people think they are heading to the Potala Palace for pilgrimage, but in fact, the ultimate spiritual destination for every Tibetan and Buddhist is the Jokhang Temple. In the hearts of the Tibetan people, the Jokhang Temple holds far more significance than the Potala Palace and even has a supreme status in Tibetan Buddhism. The story dates back to the 7th century.

In the 7th century, Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo married Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. The two princesses brought with them the most precious dowries: an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old statue of Sakyamuni, respectively. To house these statues, Songtsen Gampo ordered the construction of the Jokhang Temple and the Ramoche Temple. The Jokhang Temple enshrines the 12-year-old statue of Sakyamuni, which is said to be modeled after Sakyamuni himself and consecrated by him. To the Tibetan people, seeing this statue is like seeing the Buddha from 2,500 years ago. Therefore, the Jokhang Temple has become a place where Tibetans come to worship daily, making it the "spiritual center of the city" of Lhasa and the most sacred temple in Tibet.

Post by Simon’s Trip | Oct 26, 2024