Chode Monastery. Gyantse is on the ancient trade route between India and China, and within the walled area of this complex were 15 monasteries from three different Buddhist sects and the hilltop fort called a Dzong. Built in 1418, the monasteries show strong Nepali influence and many Nepali artisans were involved in it's construction.
The Gyantse Kumbum, a 100- foot tall white building constructed in 1427, contains the most important series of paintings in Tibetan Buddhism spread throughout six floors reached by narrow hallways and steep stairways. Pilgrims come here from all over Tibet and other Buddhist countries, so we watched them worship the various sacred statues and images, making their offerings, prostrating, at the same time that we were being briefed by our guide.
Leaving Gyantse for Shigatse we travelled down a long fairly narrow valley dotted with villages, but travelled for several hours to a slightly lower elevation. After checking in to our Yangtse Hotel, we had a lunch and a short rest before David went with the guide to Tashilhunpo Monastery alone since Leslie seems to have come down with David's cold and needed to rest prior to heading for Mt. Everest tomorrow.
This monastery is the base of the Panchen (great scholar) Lamas, who are second only to the Dalai Lama. It was founded in 1447 by Genden Drup, who was posthumously named as first Dalai Lama, and he is enshrined here, as well as many Panchen Lamas. The Jampa Chapel contains the world's largest gilded statue, a 26 meter tall image of the future Buddha. There were several other interesting chapels and buildings, and we heard music coming from a public performance area and found monks practicing music and dance for an imminent celebration. After watching for a while, we went back to get Leslie for supper and then crashed after writing this blog.
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