Exploring Baiju Monastery: One Temple Embracing Three Sects, Ten Thousand Buddhas Within the Stupa

At an altitude of 3,900 meters in the northwest corner of Jiangzi County, I encountered the legendary Baiju Monastery. Built jointly in 1418 by the Jiangzi Dharma King and the First Panchen Lama, what amazed me most was not its long history, but its unique inclusiveness—where the Sakya, Gelug, and Shalu sects have coexisted harmoniously for over six hundred years. First Glimpse of the Ten Thousand Buddha Stupa The most striking feature of Baiju Monastery is the 42.2-meter-tall white stupa, known as the "Ten Thousand Buddha Stupa." From afar, this grand architectural combination of stupa and temple looks especially magnificent against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The stupa has nine tiers, tapering from a broad base to a narrow top, with 108 doors and 76 Buddha halls inside. After buying a ticket to enter the scenic area (60 yuan), I eagerly approached the stupa. Each Buddha hall inside is filled with statues, reportedly totaling as many as 100,000, hence the name "Ten Thousand Buddha Stupa." Climbing the wooden stairs, the view changed with each level. While wandering inside, I almost missed the hidden stairs leading upward—some doors are cleverly concealed. A Religious Marvel of Three Sects Coexisting In the Cuoqin Main Hall, I witnessed a rare scene: monks from different sects chanting scriptures together in the same hall. The monastery’s director, Bandan Lunzhu, told me, "Since the monastery’s founding, there have been three sects, and in its more than 600-year history, Baiju Monastery has never experienced religious conflict." This inclusiveness is truly moving. What surprised me even more is that after choosing a sect to follow, monks can switch to another sect if they find their current practice unsuitable. Such freedom is indeed rare in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Artistic Treasures: Murals and Sculptures Baiju Monastery’s murals represent the "Peizi School," one of Tibet’s three major mural styles. Inside the Ten Thousand Buddha Stupa, I saw vividly colored, finely detailed murals with figures moving freely and boldly, showing a distinct exotic flair. The 8-meter-tall bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the Cuoqin Main Hall is breathtaking, reportedly cast from 14,000 kilograms of brass. Unfortunately, the guide said that during the British invasion, the statue was mistakenly thought to be made of pure gold, and a corner was sawed off and taken to India, only to discover it was bronze. Practical Travel Guide Transportation: About a 4-hour drive from Lhasa, or 2 hours from Shigatse. Baiju Monastery is located about 1 kilometer northwest of Jiangzi County town. Tickets: 60 yuan per person, open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. An additional 10 yuan photography fee is required to take photos inside the stupa. Visiting Tips: Allow at least 2 hours to fully appreciate this unique combination of stupa and temple architecture Be cautious when climbing; some stairs are steep Respect local religious customs; photography inside halls requires permission or a fee Best Season: May to October for mild weather; winter is cold but less crowded. Standing atop Baiju Monastery, gazing at the ancient Jiangzi Zongshan Fortress, I felt the unique charm of this temple. It is not only a religious building but also a living religious museum, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of different Tibetan Buddhist sects. If you visit Tibet, besides the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, Baiju Monastery is definitely worth a visit.