|
 It
is located to the west
of Xigaze. It was built
in 1447 by the 1st Dalai
Lama, who was the
disciple of Tsongkapa,
the founder of the Gelug.
Then, the head master
gained the position of
Panchen Lama, or the
reincarnation of
Maitreya. The monastery
has been rebuilt and
extended by successive
Panchen Lamas, and
became the political and
religious center. It was
said that the monastery
once housed more than
4000 lamas during its
flourishing period.
After entering, right in
front is the hall for
the stupa of 10th
Panchen Lamas. The stupa
is over 11 meters high.
And is painted with
silver color and
decorated with gold and
jade. A 26-meter-high
gold Maitreya statue is
put in the main hall. |
