Wonders atop the roof of the world
- By Zekarias Woldemariam
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 17, 2015
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The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet [China.org.cn/Photo by Zheng Yongbo] |
Home to about 3.2 million people, Tibet can be called the mosaic of Chinese ethnic diversity as it is inhabited by 45 of the 56 ethnic groups throughout China, and has a unique tradition of cultural and religious practices.
Among the historical assets of Tibet is the ages old but still influential practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Introduced from India around the 7th century AD, Tibetan Buddhism has its own features and holds a significant place in the life of the Tibetan people. On the days dedicated for ritual ceremonies, followers of the religion amass in the temples and stand in long lines to salute the sacred palace monastery and relics.
Located on the hilly area of Lhasa City, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Potala Palace is a big architectural structure that was used as an office of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders called the the Dalai Lamas.
Every day about 4,000 people visit this historical Palace. While Lhasa City itself is located at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level, the Potala Palace is located on a hill, its main tower is 117 meters high.
The beautiful and unique architecture of the building as seen from outside speaks volumes about its spiritual and social status. The interior of the building is also beautifully designed and painted with pictures of ancient architectural heritage. It consists of many sections that served as both areas of worship as well as the office of the spiritual leader Dalai Lamas. It contains a lot of religious equipment, scriptures and paintings.
While the Potala Palace served as the administrative office of the Dalai Lamas, the Jokhang Temple Monastery which is located a walking distance from it is the largest and historically important temple in Tibetan Buddhism. It contains most of the important statues of Buddha in the history of Tibet
One of them and the largest one is the Buddha which Princess Wencheng brought with her when she was married off to the Tibetan prince. Princess Wencheng is daughter of the Han emperor of Tang Dynasty in the mid 7th century.
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