Jokhang Temple and Buddhist Monastery
Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s oldest and most revered Buddhist shrine, which is why there is an endless stream of pilgrims moving here, is located in the center of Lhasa’s Old City. Although legend has it that Jokang was founded around 640 AD. was founded by the Indian princess Bhrikutn, in the public mind it is more closely associated with the name of the Chinese princess Wencheng, who arrived in Lhasa soon after and brought with her a statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha, which represents the temple’s main treasure and is extremely revered; It depicts Gautama not as Buddha, but as a prince in a tiara and luxurious dress, i.e. not detached from the world, but turned to people, in the manner of a bodhisattva – this is one of the reasons for the popularity of this statue, which in its present form was created in the 12th century. It stands in the central altar at the east wall of the main room opposite the entrance, which – while the external appearance of the temple is not regular – forms an axis together with the main gate on the west side.
General Information
Along all four sides of the main room are crowded chapels in which other statues are honored, the same is observed on the second floor, which can be reached by a staircase in the southeast corner. It leads to the third floor and the attic. After most of the sculptures and murals fell victim to the Cultural Revolution, the present images are, with few exceptions, copies of recent times. Noteworthy are the abundant murals recounting the legend of the founding of Jokang. One should also walk with the pilgrims on the inner circular path leading inside the temple around the main room. The opening hours of the inner premises are: daily. 8.00-12.00, partly also in the afternoon, but then access is only possible through a side entrance. (Recommended: to be on site already at 8.00!).
.In a large circle around Jokang stretches the sacred bypass, the Barkhor. Here, and in the newly rebuilt front square of the temple, a large market is set up daily, at which purchases are made, above all by the many pilgrims flocking to Lhasa. It offers a great abundance of goods, still exotic to this day, including felt hats, colorful cushions, prayer flags, jewelry of all kinds, horse saddles, food, clothing and antiques.
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