Difference between revisions of "Dharma-King Cave and Cliffside Carvings"
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[[File:Lamrim-images.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Lamrim-images.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Of the sophisticated [[architecture]] of the [[Potala Palace]], the [[Dharma-King]] | + | |
| − | The {{Wiki|cave}} was carved out of a rock at the top of the [[Potala Palace]]. During the [[Tubo]] period, [[King]] [[Songtsan Gampo]] used to [[meditate]] there. In the center of the {{Wiki|cave}} is a stove. A stone pot and mortar sit on top of the stove. Inside the {{Wiki|cave}} are several [[statues]], including one of [[Songtsan Gampo]]. The [[statues]] are very different in sculpting technique and style from [[statues]] that depict the [[king]] and his wives and ministers in the late period of the [[Tubo]] {{Wiki|kingdom}}. The [[statues]] are believed to date from the [[Tubo]] | + | |
| − | The {{Wiki|cave}} is 3.7 meters hgh and has two pillars, which remain in good shape. The pillars are carved with [[animal]] faces and Mani {{Wiki|pearls}} in the style of the [[Tubo]] period. When the [[Potala Palace]] was repaired in the 1990s, the wooden poles that had been erected to support the ceiling of the {{Wiki|cave}} were removed, making the 27-sq. -m {{Wiki|cave}} appear more spacious. Two white [[pagodas]] are located one on each side of the {{Wiki|cave}}. | + | |
| − | The Phagpalakang Hall, meaning the | + | |
| − | There is a legend associated with the statue. When [[Songtsan Gampo]] was building the [[Potala Palace]], he received a message from [[God]] that a [[Buddhist]] statue should be made to [[benefit]] all the [[living beings]]. [[Bhiksu]], a [[reincarnation]] of the statue, went to {{Wiki|ancient India}} and [[Nepal]]. In a {{Wiki|forest}}, four [[Buddhist]] [[statues]] met. One of them, Lhobsangxarag, said he would go to the snowland of [[Tibet]] to be with [[king]] [[Songtsan Gampo]]. The local [[monks]] and [[Tibetans]] [[respect]] the statue as a guardian who possesses [[boundless]] [[supernatural power]] and a [[protector]] of the [[peace]] and [[happiness]] of the [[people]] of [[Tibet]]. They {{Wiki|worship}} it as the [[soul]] of the [[Potala Palace]]. | + | Of the sophisticated [[architecture]] of the [[Potala Palace]], the [[Dharma-King Cave]] and [[Phagpalakang]] Hall are the only two parts dating from the [[Tubo]] {{Wiki|Kingdom}} 1,400 years ago. |
| − | In the niches on the four walls of the Phagpalakang Hall are [[statues]] of the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth [[Dalai lamas]] and [[Great Teacher]] [[Tsongkhapa]], and stones with the footprints of the [[Lotus-Born]] [[Great Monk]], [[Tsongkhapa]] and the [[12th Dalai Lama]]. | + | |
| + | The {{Wiki|cave}} was carved out of a rock at the top of the [[Potala Palace]]. During the [[Tubo]] period, [[King]] [[Songtsan Gampo]] used to [[meditate]] there. In the center of the {{Wiki|cave}} is a stove. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A stone pot and mortar sit on top of the stove. Inside the {{Wiki|cave}} are several [[statues]], including one of [[Songtsan Gampo]]. The [[statues]] are very different in sculpting technique and style from [[statues]] that depict the [[king]] and his wives and ministers in the late period of the [[Tubo]] {{Wiki|kingdom}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[statues]] are believed to date from the [[Tubo period]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The {{Wiki|cave}} is 3.7 meters hgh and has two pillars, which remain in good shape. The pillars are carved with [[animal]] faces and Mani {{Wiki|pearls}} in the style of the [[Tubo]] period. | ||
| + | |||
| + | When the [[Potala Palace]] was repaired in the 1990s, the wooden poles that had been erected to support the ceiling of the {{Wiki|cave}} were removed, making the 27-sq. -m {{Wiki|cave}} appear more spacious. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Two white [[pagodas]] are located one on each side of the {{Wiki|cave}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Phagpalakang]] Hall, meaning the [[Supreme Buddhist Hall]], is above the {{Wiki|cave}}. It is the oldest and most [[sacred]] hall in the [[Potala Palace]]. [[Phagpa Lhobsangxarag]], or the [[Tibetan]] version of the [[Goddess of Marcy]], is [[worshipped]] in the hall. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is a wooden statue, said to have been [[worshipped]] personally by [[King]] [[Songtsan Gampo]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is the most important icon in the [[Potala Palace]]. The [[statues]] was once lost somewhere in [[Qinghai]]. In 1645, a [[Yuan Dynasty]] {{Wiki|empress}} had it sent back to [[Lhasa]]. in 1996, the statue was stolen, but it was soon recovered. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | There is a legend associated with the statue. When [[Songtsan Gampo]] was building the [[Potala Palace]], he received a message from [[God]] that a [[Buddhist]] statue should be made to [[benefit]] all the [[living beings]]. [[Bhiksu]], a [[reincarnation]] of the statue, went to {{Wiki|ancient India}} and [[Nepal]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In a {{Wiki|forest}}, four [[Buddhist]] [[statues]] met. One of them, [[Lhobsangxarag]], said he would go to the snowland of [[Tibet]] to be with [[king]] [[Songtsan Gampo]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The local [[monks]] and [[Tibetans]] [[respect]] the statue as a guardian who possesses [[boundless]] [[supernatural power]] and a [[protector]] of the [[peace]] and [[happiness]] of the [[people]] of [[Tibet]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | They {{Wiki|worship}} it as the [[soul]] of the [[Potala Palace]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the niches on the four walls of the [[Phagpalakang Hall]] are [[statues]] of the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth [[Dalai lamas]] and [[Great Teacher]] [[Tsongkhapa]], and stones with the footprints of the [[Lotus-Born]] [[Great Monk]], [[Tsongkhapa]] and the [[12th Dalai Lama]]. | ||
[[File:Trisong Detsen.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Trisong Detsen.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | The [[Potala Palace]] is a magnificent and awesome building [[constructed]] along the contour of | + | |
| − | On the second terrace there is a | + | |
| − | Four meters above the ground on the second terrace is a carving from the seventh year of [[Emperor]] [[Yongzheng's]] reign. Overlapping the signature are two large [[seals]] in the lishu, or official [[script]]. The text is composed of a verse of four four-word lines, which read to the effect: The [[South]] Mountain stands as the shield belt; the waving [[trees]] serve as the flags. Might and power are demonstrated; and the [[barbarians]] are deterred. | + | The [[Potala Palace]] is a magnificent and awesome building [[constructed]] along the contour of [[Mount Potala]]. Cliff-side carvings comprise part of the heritage of the palace. |
| − | Ten meters above the ground on the fourth terrace is a carving recording the central route of the Qing expeditions against the Jungar rebels. Some other inscription carvings on the same terrace cannot be seen clearly because of overlapping carvings of [[Buddhist]] images done in later times. | + | |
| + | Most of the carvings were done on the isolated cliffs on the first, second and fourth layers of the palace. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The carvings on the cliff-side to the [[east]] of the palace on the first terrace record the episode from the period of [[Emperor]] {{Wiki|Kangxi}} of the [[Qing Dynasty]] when he dispatched [[Qing]] troops to [[Tibet]] in the 59th year of his {{Wiki|rule}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another carving on the same layer records the joint efforts of the [[Tibetans]] and the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} in fighting against foreign invaders and safeguarding the frontiers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | On the second terrace there is a cliff-side carving made in the sixth year of the reign of [[Emperor]] [[Yongzheng]]. It is still in good shape and the carved words are easy to [[recognize]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This carving records the turmoil in [[Tibet]] in the fifth year of [[Emperor]] [[Yongzheng's]] reign and the entry of [[Qing]] troops in the following year. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Four meters above the ground on the second terrace is a carving from the seventh year of [[Emperor]] [[Yongzheng's]] reign. Overlapping the signature are two large [[seals]] in the [[lishu]], or official [[script]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The text is composed of a verse of four four-word lines, which read to the effect: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[South]] Mountain stands as the shield belt; the waving [[trees]] serve as the flags. Might and power are demonstrated; and the [[barbarians]] are deterred. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Ten meters above the ground on the fourth terrace is a carving recording the central route of the [[Qing]] expeditions against the Jungar rebels. Some other inscription carvings on the same terrace cannot be seen clearly because of overlapping carvings of [[Buddhist]] images done in later times. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://zt.tibet.cn/tibetzt/tibet50-en/story/doc/story_816.htm zt.tibet.cn] | [http://zt.tibet.cn/tibetzt/tibet50-en/story/doc/story_816.htm zt.tibet.cn] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Potala]] | [[Category:Potala]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:10, 16 December 2015
Of the sophisticated architecture of the Potala Palace, the Dharma-King Cave and Phagpalakang Hall are the only two parts dating from the Tubo Kingdom 1,400 years ago.
The cave was carved out of a rock at the top of the Potala Palace. During the Tubo period, King Songtsan Gampo used to meditate there. In the center of the cave is a stove.
A stone pot and mortar sit on top of the stove. Inside the cave are several statues, including one of Songtsan Gampo. The statues are very different in sculpting technique and style from statues that depict the king and his wives and ministers in the late period of the Tubo kingdom.
The statues are believed to date from the Tubo period.
The cave is 3.7 meters hgh and has two pillars, which remain in good shape. The pillars are carved with animal faces and Mani pearls in the style of the Tubo period.
When the Potala Palace was repaired in the 1990s, the wooden poles that had been erected to support the ceiling of the cave were removed, making the 27-sq. -m cave appear more spacious.
Two white pagodas are located one on each side of the cave.
The Phagpalakang Hall, meaning the Supreme Buddhist Hall, is above the cave. It is the oldest and most sacred hall in the Potala Palace. Phagpa Lhobsangxarag, or the Tibetan version of the Goddess of Marcy, is worshipped in the hall.
It is a wooden statue, said to have been worshipped personally by King Songtsan Gampo.
It is the most important icon in the Potala Palace. The statues was once lost somewhere in Qinghai. In 1645, a Yuan Dynasty empress had it sent back to Lhasa. in 1996, the statue was stolen, but it was soon recovered.
There is a legend associated with the statue. When Songtsan Gampo was building the Potala Palace, he received a message from God that a Buddhist statue should be made to benefit all the living beings. Bhiksu, a reincarnation of the statue, went to ancient India and Nepal.
In a forest, four Buddhist statues met. One of them, Lhobsangxarag, said he would go to the snowland of Tibet to be with king Songtsan Gampo.
The local monks and Tibetans respect the statue as a guardian who possesses boundless supernatural power and a protector of the peace and happiness of the people of Tibet.
They worship it as the soul of the Potala Palace.
In the niches on the four walls of the Phagpalakang Hall are statues of the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth Dalai lamas and Great Teacher Tsongkhapa, and stones with the footprints of the Lotus-Born Great Monk, Tsongkhapa and the 12th Dalai Lama.
The Potala Palace is a magnificent and awesome building constructed along the contour of Mount Potala. Cliff-side carvings comprise part of the heritage of the palace.
Most of the carvings were done on the isolated cliffs on the first, second and fourth layers of the palace.
The carvings on the cliff-side to the east of the palace on the first terrace record the episode from the period of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty when he dispatched Qing troops to Tibet in the 59th year of his rule.
Another carving on the same layer records the joint efforts of the Tibetans and the Han Chinese in fighting against foreign invaders and safeguarding the frontiers.
On the second terrace there is a cliff-side carving made in the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Yongzheng. It is still in good shape and the carved words are easy to recognize.
This carving records the turmoil in Tibet in the fifth year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign and the entry of Qing troops in the following year.
Four meters above the ground on the second terrace is a carving from the seventh year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign. Overlapping the signature are two large seals in the lishu, or official script.
The text is composed of a verse of four four-word lines, which read to the effect:
The South Mountain stands as the shield belt; the waving trees serve as the flags. Might and power are demonstrated; and the barbarians are deterred.
Ten meters above the ground on the fourth terrace is a carving recording the central route of the Qing expeditions against the Jungar rebels. Some other inscription carvings on the same terrace cannot be seen clearly because of overlapping carvings of Buddhist images done in later times.
