Ancient Tibetan Buddhism relics from Garze

July,27 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Photo shows the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. According to Lorong Rinpoche, the current abbot of the Bore Monastery, this statue is filled up with Sharira, body relics or ashes of Buddha Shakyamuni.

In the early 14th century, the 5th Panchen Lama Lozang Yeshe conferred this mandate to Gonzhi Rinpoche, the abbot living Buddha of the Bore Monastery in Sershul County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the west part of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The mandate reads that Gonzhi Rinpoche is appointed and supported by the Panchen Lama to disseminate Dharma in today's Southern Tibet, Khampa Tibetan areas in Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and that nobody should interfere in his activities.

The Bore Monastery is a temple of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism under the genealogy of the Tashilhunpo Monastery where the Panchen Lama is the abbot living Buddha. Thus, in the theocratic Tibet, a warrant from the Panchen Lama was esteemed authoritative by the Buddhists and lay believers. Therefore, Gonzhi Rinpoche enjoys a supreme position in the areas mentioned in the mandate even today.

The Bore Monastery originated from ancient Bonpo religion before Buddhism was introduced to Tibet in the 7th century, and has been relocated due to historical reasons many times. The present location of the temple can be dated back to 1818 when China was the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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