Sakya monastery is located at the northern hill of Sakya county in Shigatse prefecture of Tibet autonomous region of China. In year 1023 of Tibetan water ox year, Khon Kunchock Gyalpo, a well learn Buddhist scholar of Nyingma sect found this location a very auspicious and decide to establish a monastery at the location.
History of Sakya Monastery
Sakya means a pale earth. When Khunchok decided to establish his monastery at the location, he saw the hill resemble a lying elephant. He bought the land by paying the landowner with his family’s fortune. Due to the pale color of the land, he decided to name his monastery and school of Tibetan Buddhism Sakya, which means “pale earth.”
The Sakya monastery is divided into two parts, separated by the Trom-chu River. The monastic complex on the northern hill is known as Jhangma, and the monastic complex on the southern plan is known as Lhoma. Travellers are more likely to visit the monastic complex on the south of the plan if they have less time.
The Mongol Empire of China invited Sakyapa Pagpa to teach them Tibetan Buddhism, and in return, Sakyapa was given the privilege to rule the local government of Tibet. During his time at Pagpa, he expanded the complex of the southern plan of the Sakya monastery in 1268. He builds a new assembly hall with four big pillars. One of the woods used for the pillar was donated by the Chinese emperor himself, along with a conch shell, which is believed to have the capability to save deceased relatives from the hell realm. During medieval times, people had to pay a substantial amount of silver to have the conch blown in the name of their deceased relative. The entire south complex is designed defensively.
Travelers Guide to Sakya Monastery
The main complex on southern Sakya Monastery looks like a medieval fort. It has a high wall surrounding the Temple with the watchtower on four corners, which is dubbed the great wall of Tibet. The walls are 16 meters high and 3.5 meters thick. While you are inside the complex you will have a different architectural style, which could give travellers an experience of being in a different world. Many books and websites define this architecture as a Mongol style which I really don’t think.
In the main assemble hall, travellers may want to observe the pillars, huge drum, you will also see a monk seated on the throne behind a pillar on the second column from the door, he will have the magical conch shell in his hand, he blows the conch on request after reciting some mantras. On the alter you will see a smoked statue of Boddhisatva. Once there was a strong fire in the hall and it is believed that she sucked all the fire in her which is the reason why her body looks darker than others.
There is a passage behind the main altar of Sakya Monastery. If you enter the passage, you will find a huge collection of scriptures. Those manuscripts were untouched for centuries and the biggest scripture would require 12 healthy grown-up men to lift it. There is a small hole on the floor at the centre-right. This hole is linked with a well below the complex and it helps to moisturize the scripture during the dry season.
Travellers may want to walk on the wall surrounding the complex for a better view of the entire area and the complex itself.
One eye-catching characteristic of the region is the colouring of its buildings. Unlike others, in the region, Sakya people paint their house in vertical stripes of ash grey with white, and red. The colour symbolizes the trinity of Buddhistava (Rig Sum Gonpo) and stands as a mark of Sakya authority.
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