Labrang Temple to get face-lift

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Labrang Temple to get face-lift

A 303-year-old temple in Gansu province, a leading school of Tibetan Lamaism, will receive 300 million yuan ($47.4 million) from the government over the next five years for renovation.

Labrang Temple, located in the west of Xiahe county, in the Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture, was built by Jiamuyang, the first Living Buddha, in 1709. One of the six major monasteries of the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, the temple was known as the "Vatican of the Orient".

Labrang, in the Tibetan language, means "Palace for the Buddha". The temple occupies a large architectural complex just smaller in size than the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It houses more than 30,000 Buddha statues, 65,000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures, a rich collection of sutras, murals, Tibetan books and, of course, numerous monks in residence.

The temple is in urgent need of repair due to subsidence.

Architectural and cultural treasures have been damaged and conditions for the monks have deteriorated, said Suonanjia, deputy director in charge of cultural affairs in Xiahe county.

Gansu provincial and Xiahe county authorities will make "no alteration to the original relics" and use traditional craftsmanship and original materials, he said.

"We will be prudent. We can't mend everything at once."

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.

Email me about your travel idea