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Housing 3 different sects of Buddhism: Palcho Monastery
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CNTV, July 15, 2011
Today, in CCTV's special series on Tibetan Monasteries, we'll take a look at Palcho Monastery. Built in 1418, it has remained remarkably intact and is famous for housing 3 different sects of Buddhism.
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Built in 1418, Palcho Monastery has remained remarkably intact and is famous for housing 3 different sects of Buddhism. |
Lying between Lhasa and Shigatse, Gyantse is still a traditional, relaxed Tibetan town. And the Palcho Monastery, at the center of the old town, is the main reason that makes Gyantse famous.
Palcho is a monastery that has the characteristics of Han, Tibetan and Nepali architecture. It also houses 3 religious sects - the Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa. The sects share the same main assembly hall and rooms for studying Buddhism.
Yeshey Nyima is a monk belonging to Gelugpa sect. He's preparing for the upcoming Dance ceremony, a Sakyapa sect activity. During every religious holiday, the 3 sects are not restricted to the limitations of their own group, but come together.
Nyima said, "For example, this monk belongs to Kadampa sect. It's his first time to join the dance ceremony. And that monk belongs to Sakyapa sect, and he is the one carrying ritual instruments."
Every costume and Buddhist ritual instrument is clearly checked, for the smooth running of the ceremony.
Then the 2-hour long dance ceremony starts, with residents in Gyantse town being the audience.
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Built in 1418, Palcho Monastery has remained remarkably intact and is famous for housing 3 different sects of Buddhism. |
The monks in the temple also join together in the Shoton Festival, held on the 18th day in the 4th month of the Tibetan Calendar every year...when a great thangka is unfurled, covering the entire hillside.
During the Shoton Festival, the 3 sects in Palcho Monastery hum prayers, praying for all humanity
Lhundrup Jigpa, Khenpo of Palcho Monastery, said, "There are 3 different sects indeed, but their origin is the Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha, just like the water's origin is the snow mountain. So the three sects get along here in harmony."
In Tibetan history, there were quarrels and fights among the 3 sects. But since the founding of Palcho Monastery almost 6-hundred years ago, the 3 sects co-exist out of respect for their shared religion as well as different doctrines, thus making Palcho Monastery itself so free and peaceful.
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