Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Sakya Monastery
BUDDHIST, MONASTERY
(admission ¥45; 9am-6pm)
The immense, grey, thick-walled southern monastery is one of Tibet's most impressive
constructed sights, and one of the largest monasteries. Established in 1268, it was designed
defensively, with watchtowers on each corner of its high walls. Inside, the dimly lit hall
exudes a sanctity and is on a scale that few others can rival. As usual, morning is the best
time to visit as more chapels are open.
Directly ahead from the east-wall main entrance is the entry to the inner courtyard and
then the main
assembly hall
(Lhakhang Chenmo or Tsokchen Dukhang), a huge structure
with walls 16m high and 3.5m thick.
At first glance the assembly hall may strike you as being like most others in Tibet: a
dark interior illuminated with shafts of sunlight and the warm glow of butter lamps; an
omnipresent smell of burning butter; and an array of gilded statues representing buddhas,
bodhisattvas, Tibetan kings and lamas. But even weary tour groups seem to quickly recog-
nise the age, beauty and sanctity of Sakya. Plan to spend time just soaking up the sacred,
medieval atmosphere. You'll find few that are its equal.
A few things to look specifically for in the hall are the huge drum in the far left corner
and the massive sacred pillars, some which are made of entire tree trunks and are famous
throughout Tibet. One reputedly was a gift from Kublai Khan.
Another gift from Kublai to the monastery is Sakya's famous white conch shell, which
currently sits in a gilded mandala. The shell is supposedly all that remains of the Buddha
when in a previous incarnation he lived his life as a modest shellfish. Pilgrims queue to
hear the soft, low sound of the sacred conch being blown by an attendant monk.
The walls of the assembly hall are lined with towering gilded buddhas, which are un-
usual in that many also serve as reliquaries for former Sakya abbots. The buddha in the far
left corner holds the tooth of the past Buddha inside it. The large nearby chörten is the fu-
neral stupa of the monastery's 40th abbot; the statue to the right of this houses the clothes
and ashes of the monastery founder. The central Sakyamuni statue enshrines the clothes
and relics of Sakya Pandita. To the right of the central buddha are statues of Jampelyang
(Manjushri), a seated Jampa (Maitreya) and a Dorje Chang (Vajradhara).
