Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
Tibetan monks at the Jokhang Temple. Photo by Seth Lieberman.
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View of Jokhang's central courtyard from above. Photo by Phil Lai.
Pilgrims prostrate at the Jokhang Temple, the holiest site in the Tibetan
Buddhist faith. Photo by J Unrau.
More pilgrims at Jokhang Temple. Photo by OnwardTibet.
Courtyard of Jokhang Temple, with Buddhist symbols. Photo by Phil Lai.
Doors of Jokhang Temple. Photos by Phil Lai.
Gilded roof. Photo by Phil Lai.
Gilded figures on the roof of the Jokhang. Photo by Phil Lai.
The Jokhang Temple or Jokhang Monastery, in Lhasa is the most important sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. Many pilgrims come to pray at Jokhang and it is also a popular tourist destination.
Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center and holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism, attracting thousands of prostrate pilgrims each year. It is also the site of the annual Great Prayer Festival, as well as all ceremonies of initiation for the Dalai Lama and Panchen Llamas.
History
Jokhang Temple was built in 746 AD by King Songtsen Gampo and his two foreign wives who introduced Buddhism into Tibet. The temple has been regularly expanded over the years, most notably under the Fifth Dalai Lama.
The temple was constructed to house a sacred image of the Buddha, which the king's Nepalese wife brought with her as a dowry. This statue is still enshrined within the temple and is perhaps the most venerated image in Tibet.
Description
Don't miss the image of Palden Lhamo on the third floor. The fierce protector of both Lhasa and the Dalai Lama, she is said to have murdered her own child to bring her husband and king to his senses and put an end to his endless military campaigns.
The exquisite deer and wheel motifs on the roof are early symbols of Buddhism. Both allude to Sakyamuni's first sermon, in which he "turned the wheel of the Dharma," delivered in a deer park in Benares. The deer and wheel symbols were especially prominent in early Buddhism, when followers were reluctant to depict the Buddha.
Inside, the temple features ancient Newari door frames, columns, and finials dating from the 7th and 8th centuries.
The most revered object in Tibet is Jowo Rinpoche, a 1.5m (4.9-ft.) image of the young Buddha, which originated in India and was brought with Princess Wénchéng as dowry. Many credit her with selecting the temple's location according to the principles of geomancy (feng-shui). The image is flanked on both sides by the altars of Songtsen Gampo and his two wives who introduced Buddhism into Tibet.
Note the more recent yab-yum images of sexual union in a chapel to the south. Many mistakenly believe tantric practice has no place in the "reformed" Geluk School, but Tsongkapa simply restated the principle that only advanced practitioners should engage in tantric sex.
Quick Facts
| Location: | Downtown Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China |
| Phone: | 0891/632-3129 |
| Hours: | 8am-6:30pm (entrance after noon only) |
| Cost: | ¥25 ($3) |
Tourists are allowed to tour the temple only in the afternoon; the morning is reserved for pilgrims. However, to truly experience the temple, arrive at 8am to watch the pilgrims perform their devotions, then visit again in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, a gate to the right of the main entrance admits tourists, and gives you an opportunity to view the ancient statuary and woodwork in relative peace, strident Chinese tour guides notwithstanding.
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Jokhang Temple. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Lhasa Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Frommer's China, 1st ed.
- Jokhang Temple - Travel China Guide
More Information
- Traveler Reviews of Jokhang Temple - TripAdvisor
- Jokhang Temple - Tibet Travel
- Evening Prayers in Lhasa - BootsnAll Travel
- Jokhang Temple - Sacred Sites
- Jokhang Temple: A Virtual Field Trip - Northern Arizona University
- The Jokhang Temple - Imperial Tours
