a land of Tibet

We're in our coracle heading toward the three hills above Lhagang and the Lhagang monastery! I'm not sure what the river is named as our Footprint Tibet handbook doesn't mention it or at least I haven't seen it mentioned. Actually the Lhagang's name is Lhagang Gon Tongdrol Samdrubling Chode which is quite a lot to say! It actually is the easternmost of 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo built in the direction of China. These were probably more of the geomantic temples to alter the flow of energy in Tibet. The Princess Wen Cheng stayed here overnight on the way to Lhassa bringing with her the statue of Jowo Shakyamuni. I've mentioned in the poem what occurred next! Deities speaking or otherwise interacting using the images made of them occurs throughout Tibet including the statue from the sandalwood tree that came to rest in the village of Khorzhak in the valley of the Karnali that we remember. They are much like ongons; it's very shamanic! Actually, that statue may have been of Manjughosa or Manjushri. The one at Lhagang was that of the Jowo Shakyamuni which we know was Buddha before he became the Buddha. The temple of Lhagang was later enlarged to become a Kagyu monastery which later became part of the Sakya faith during the time of Drogon Chogyel Phakpa. Within Lhagang is the actual Johkang Chapel itself where the statue stands. Pilgrims who have gone there say that the sacred power there is much like that of the Johkang in Lhassa. This makes sense because the Princess brought the other statue there essentially placing two ongons of Buddha between China and Lhassa. Both were not destroyed by invading armies or even the horribly destructive cultural revolution. There are many other statues of deities there of course and a garden that contains 124 stupas. Tibetans say that one of these actually vibrates on it's own as if in response to some unfelt energy that manifests there! From the garden we can look out to see Mount Zhara Lhatse far to the northeast. A wondrous place! There's a lot more to add but as usual two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one!


	Through My Eyes * We're in our coracle heading toward the three hills above Lhagang and the Lhagang monastery! I'm not sure what the river is named as our Footprint Tibet handbook doesn't mention it or at least I haven't seen it mentioned. Actually the Lhagang's name is Lhagang Gon Tongdrol Samdrubling Chode which is quite a lot to say! It actually is the easternmost of 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo built in the direction of China. These were probably more of the geomantic temples to alter the flow of energy in Tibet. The Princess Wen Cheng stayed here overnight on the way to Lhassa bringing with her the statue of Jowo Shakyamuni. I've mentioned in the poem what occurred next! Deities speaking or otherwise interacting using the images made of them occurs throughout Tibet including the statue from the sandalwood tree that came to rest in the village of Khorzhak in the valley of the Karnali that we remember. They are much like ongons; it's very shamanic! Actually, that statue may have been of Manjughosa or Manjushri. The one at Lhagang was that of the Jowo Shakyamuni which we know was Buddha before he became the Buddha. The temple of Lhagang was later enlarged to become a Kagyu monastery which later became part of the Sakya faith during the time of Drogon Chogyel Phakpa. Within Lhagang is the actual Johkang Chapel itself where the statue stands. Pilgrims who have gone there say that the sacred power there is much like that of the Johkang in Lhassa. This makes sense because the Princess brought the other statue there essentially placing two ongons of Buddha between China and Lhassa. Both were not destroyed by invading armies or even the horribly destructive cultural revolution. There are many other statues of deities there of course and a garden that contains 124 stupas. Tibetans say that one of these actually vibrates on it's own as if in response to some unfelt energy that manifests there! From the garden we can look out to see Mount Zhara Lhatse far to the northeast. A wondrous place! There's a lot more to add but as usual two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one! * courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions. The information for the sketches is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje. ( please click here to return to my spinning for you!)