大昭寺

The Jokhang Temple is located on Barkhor Street in the heart of Lhasa’s Old Town. Its Tibetan name, “Jokhang,” means “the sacred temple dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha.” According to a long-held folk saying, “The Jokhang Temple came first, and then the city of Lhasa was built.” It is a key component of the historic architectural complex of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and has been inscribed on the World Heritage List. The temple was first built in 647 AD by order of Songtsen Gampo, the King of the Tibetan Empire. With a history spanning more than 1,300 years, it is the oldest and best-preserved ancient timber-and-earth structure from the Tibetan Empire period still standing in Tibet.

According to legend, the site of the temple was originally Lake Wotang. After Princess Wencheng entered Tibet, she conducted an assessment of the celestial phenomena and feng shui, this site was identified as the “heart of the Rakshasa” in feng shui. She recommended using a white mountain goat to transport earth to fill the lake and lay the foundation for the temple. Lhasa’s ancient name, “Rasa,” derives from “the land of the mountain goat,” and this has meant that, from its very inception, the Jokhang Temple has embodied the historical bonds of friendship forged through the marriage alliance between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Kingdom. The temple’s architecture is unique, blending four major architectural styles: Tibetan, Tang Dynasty Han Chinese, Nepalese, and Indian. Unlike Han Chinese temples, which typically face south with their backs to the north, the main hall faces west. The overall layout corresponds to the Buddhist mandala, and its gilded roof shines brilliantly. while the exquisite wood carvings and murals inside the hall comprehensively document the history of the Tibetan Empire and the transmission of Buddhism, endowing the site with immense artistic and cultural value.

The temple’s most treasured artifact is a life-size statue of Shakyamuni at the age of twelve, brought from Chang’an by Princess Wencheng. It is the holiest relic in Tibetan Buddhism, and for thousands of years, countless devotees have traveled thousands of miles to pay their respects. The blue stone slabs in front of the temple bear deep marks left by generations of devotees performing prostrations, while inside the hall, butter lamps burn day and night and the scent of incense never ceases. It stands as a center of faith revered by all major sects throughout Tibet.

Throughout history, Tibet’s important Golden Urn lotteries and major religious ceremonies have been held here, bearing witness to the development of politics and religion in the “Land of Snows.” Three tiers of prayer paths radiate out from the Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street winds around the temple, creating a perfect blend of devout faith and the vibrancy of everyday life. A visit to the Jokhang Temple not only allows you to appreciate the beauty of this millennia-old architectural masterpiece but also offers a deep immersion in Tibet’s rich historical heritage and its authentic religious and cultural traditions.