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Jokhang Temple

ཇོ་ཁང་།

BRIEF DESCRIPTION – WHAT TO SEE

  • Chinese: 大昭寺, dà zhāo sì
  • Area: Lhasa
  • Elevation: 3,656 m

Jokhang Temple is considered as the spiritual heart of the city and the most sacred monastery in Tibet. It’s at the center of an ancient network of Buddhist temples in Lhasa. The Jokhang is 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) east of the Potala Palace. It is situated in the Barkhor, the market square in central Lhasa, which has a walkway for pilgrims to walk around the temple (which takes about 20 minutes). Jowo Rinpoche(also being called Jowo Shakyamuni) is considered to be the most sacred and important Buddha image in Tibet. It’s a life-sized Sakyamuni Buddha statue enshrined in Jokhang Temple. This Sakyamuni Buddha statue have been brought to Tibet in the 7th century when Buddhism began.

History of Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple was built in the center of the Lhasa old town. Estimated dates for Jokhang Temple’s founding range from 639 to 647 AD. Construction was initiated by King Songtsen Gampo to house an image of Mikyoba (Akshobhya) brought to Tibet as part of the dowry of his Nepali wife Princess Bhrikuti. Ramoche Temple was constructed at the same time to house another Buddha image, Jowo Sakyamuni, brought to Tibet by his Chinese wife Princess Wencheng. It is thought that after the death of Songtsen Gampo, Jowo Sakyamuni was moved from Ramoche Temple for its protection and hidden in Jokhang Temple by Princess Wencheng. The image has remained in Jokhang Temple ever since, and it’s the most revered Buddha image in all of Tibet.

The legend of Jokhang Temple

The Legend goes that there was a lake before Jokhang Temple set up. By the lake, Tubo king Srongtsen Gampo ever made a promise to Nepali wife princess Bhrikuti that he would build a temple wherever the ring dropped. Then he threw out the ring and it fell into the lake exactly. Immediately, a bright light appeared above the lake and a nine-stage white pagoda emerged in the light. Thus a magnificent building project started here and thousands of white goats were used to transfer soil for building.

HOW TO GET THERE

Jokhang Temple is located in Lhasa city center.

USEFUL INFORMATIONS

Ex ticket price, special events held there

OTHER ATTRACTIONS NEARBY JOKHANG TEMPLE

History of Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple was built in the center of the Lhasa old town. Estimated dates for Jokhang Temple’s founding range from 639 to 647 AD. Construction was initiated by King Songtsen Gampo to house an image of Mikyoba (Akshobhya) brought to Tibet as part of the dowry of his Nepali wife Princess Bhrikuti. Ramoche Temple was constructed at the same time to house another Buddha image, Jowo Sakyamuni, brought to Tibet by his Chinese wife Princess Wencheng. It is thought that after the death of Songtsen Gampo, Jowo Sakyamuni was moved from Ramoche Temple for its protection and hidden in Jokhang Temple by Princess Wencheng. The image has remained in Jokhang Temple ever since, and it’s the most revered Buddha image in all of Tibet.

The legend of Jokhang Temple

The Legend goes that there was a lake before Jokhang Temple set up. By the lake, Tubo king Srongtsen Gampo ever made a promise to Nepali wife princess Bhrikuti that he would build a temple wherever the ring dropped. Then he threw out the ring and it fell into the lake exactly. Immediately, a bright light appeared above the lake and a nine-stage white pagoda emerged in the light. Thus a magnificent building project started here and thousands of white goats were used to transfer soil for building.

Più informazioni

History of Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple was built in the center of the Lhasa old town. Estimated dates for Jokhang Temple’s founding range from 639 to 647 AD. Construction was initiated by King Songtsen Gampo to house an image of Mikyoba (Akshobhya) brought to Tibet as part of the dowry of his Nepali wife Princess Bhrikuti. Ramoche Temple was constructed at the same time to house another Buddha image, Jowo Sakyamuni, brought to Tibet by his Chinese wife Princess Wencheng. It is thought that after the death of Songtsen Gampo, Jowo Sakyamuni was moved from Ramoche Temple for its protection and hidden in Jokhang Temple by Princess Wencheng. The image has remained in Jokhang Temple ever since, and it’s the most revered Buddha image in all of Tibet.

The legend of Jokhang Temple

The Legend goes that there was a lake before Jokhang Temple set up. By the lake, Tubo king Srongtsen Gampo ever made a promise to Nepali wife princess Bhrikuti that he would build a temple wherever the ring dropped. Then he threw out the ring and it fell into the lake exactly. Immediately, a bright light appeared above the lake and a nine-stage white pagoda emerged in the light. Thus a magnificent building project started here and thousands of white goats were used to transfer soil for building.