Tashilhunpo Monastery


Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa in Tibet, the full name in
Tibetan of the monastery means: "all fortune and happiness gathered here" or "heap of glory".

Founded by the First Dailai Lama in 1447, the monastery's structure was expanded by the Fourth
and successive Panchen Lamas. Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the Fourth
Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, and there are now nearly 800 lamas.

The Maitreya Temple on the west side is the tallest building of the monastery. It was erected in
1914 by the Ninth Panchen Lama to house a gigantic statue of the Maitreya Buddha and is 26.2
metees in height. The statue sits on a splendid lotus throne in the 'European' posture with its
hands in the symbolic teaching pose. A single finger of the giant figure is almost 4 feet in length. The statue contains 279kg of gold and 150,000kg
  of copper and brass moulded on a solid wooden frame by Tibetan and Nepalese craftsmen. Small versions of the Maitreya are positioned in all
four corners of the chamber and the murals on either side of the door show a more active, antic style than any to be seen in Lhasa.

Visitors can find The Maitreya Chapel by strolling into the monastery on the west side of Tashilhunpo. One can find the biggest statue of a sitting
Maitreya Buddha inside the chapel. The statue stands 26.2 meters high and is decorated with gold, copper, pearl, amber, coral, diamond and other
precious stones. The statue was handcrafted by 900 craftsmen in 9 years. The chapel has been
divided into five floors. Visitors can tour the upper floors of the chapel using a wooden staircase to
see the statue more clearly and appreciate the superb skill of the Tibetans.

Besides the grand palace and gigantic statues, the Tashilhunpo Monastery also treasures
characteristic wall paintings. Because of the variety of shapes, resplendent colors and exquisite
painting, the murals are considered to be another masterpiece of Buddhist art. they are of great
significance for the research into the ancient culture in Tibet and the history of the relationship
between the Tibetan and the Han people.