Latest News:  
Beijing   Sunny/Cloudy    13 / 1 ℃  City Forecast

English>>Tibet Online

Pabongka: cradle of Tibetan characters (5)

(China Tibet Online)

09:05, December 19, 2012

After ages of erosion, only two storeys are preserved . But it still stands on the rocks with an air of magnificence.(China Tibet Online/Melinda Jin)

Pabongka Temple, located in the northern suburb of Lhasa, is different from other temples in its architectural style. It neither have towering walls that separate it from the outside nor magnificent architectures and decorations. Yet, it is the cradle of Tibetan characters, one of Lhasa's famous places of interest.

Some 1,300 years ago, Songtsen Gampo, founder of the Tubo Kingdom, built this 9-storey temple, in which he did self-practice.

After Thonmi Sambhota came back from India after finished his Sankirt study, he created Tibetan characters and left his personal writings here.

Pabongka Temple is full of miracles. Princess Wencheng from Tang Dynasty, who married Songtsen Gampo, once lived here and practiced Buddhism with her husband. The white house built on the rocks is for Songtsen Gampo while the yellow one on the top is for Princess Wencheng.

Pabongka Temple also hosts the self portraits of three Buddhas, and practice caves of some celebrated Tibetan figures including Songtsen Gampo, gaining a sacred status in the eyes of Tibetan people. Despite vicissitude of time, this building is still standing on the rocks with magnificent momentum.


【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 【5】 【6】 【7】 【8】 【9】



We recommend:

Magnificent Thousand-Buddha Cliff in Lhasa

Tibetan woman connects blind with those in sight

Snapshots of Tibet Thangka Art Exhibition

Lens on 2012 Tibet Tourism Image Ambassador Contest

Immortal story of wood and paper

Tibetan orphan learns Thangka painting

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:李想、张茜)

Related Reading

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Amphibious armored training

  2. Chinese naval ships renew hull numbers

  3. Ban Ki-moon moves to UN headquarters

  4. A century of love for China

  5. Online websites target growing aging population

  6. Christmas Wedding Expo closes in HK

  7. Kung Fu thriller stars China's heartthrobs

  8. Beautiful Thailand

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Lifting US' veil of 'peace defender'
  2. Be wary of 'peepers' in mobile phones
  3. Only local players represent future of CBA
  4. Abe 'must change' to build ties
  5. Gloomy markets defy expected growth
  6. Don't let Chinese characters be a world heritage
  7. Behind annual Chinese Writers Rich List
  8. China firms 'don't communicate enough'
  9. Who can free Chinese couples from baby tangle?
  10. No easy path in sight for China's economic future

What’s happening in China

Global dreams for Confucius

  1. Cherry tomatoes harvest in SW China's Guangxi
  2. Online websites target growing aging population
  3. China detains 93 over doomsday rumors
  4. Woman rescued 22 hours after building collapse
  5. Time to replace old ID cards