Charming Tibet, Tibetan Buddhist Monastery - Samye Monastery

Samye Monastery, also known as Tsamzhung Monastery and Unbounded Monastery, is located in Samye Town, Zhanang County, Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous Region, at the foot of Zama Mountain on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. It was built during the Tubo Dynasty in the 8th century AD and is the first monastery in Tibet where monks were ordained. Samye Monastery integrates Tibetan, Han, and Indian architectural styles, hence it is also called the 'Three Styles Monastery.' The buildings within the monastery are arranged according to the Buddhist cosmology, with the central Buddha hall combining Tibetan, Han, and Indian styles. The entire monastery is composed of red, white, and black colors, with a unique and exquisite design. The halls, Buddha halls, and pagoda halls within the monastery complement each other, giving a solemn and majestic feeling. The architectural scale of Samye Monastery is grand, with numerous halls and pagodas. The main hall, 'Utse,' represents the birth, enlightenment, teaching, and nirvana of Shakyamuni with four towers in red, white, green, and black, and twelve shrines representing the four continents and eight subcontinents in Buddhism, forming a grand and complete architectural complex with a total area of about 25,000 square meters. Samye Monastery houses various historical, religious, architectural, mural, and sculptural heritages from different periods since the Tubo Dynasty. In 1996, Samye Monastery was listed as one of the fourth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. In 2007, it was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The religious ceremonies and activities of Samye Monastery are rich and diverse, including some unique rituals such as: - Waisang Festival: This is a unique Tibetan religious activity usually held in May and June. During the Waisang ceremony, people burn pine leaves, Kamba flowers, and tsampa as offerings to the gods while chanting mantras to express respect and prayers to the deities. The origin of Waisang can be traced back to the ancient Zhangzhung period and is said to be a method passed down by Yungdrung Bon. - Vajra Dance: Every year on the 10th and 11th of the first month, the 15th to 17th of the fifth month, and in November of the Tibetan calendar, Samye Monastery holds the Vajra Dance. This dance is a traditional religious dance performed by Tibetan Buddhist monks, with a long history and profound cultural connotations. During the dance, monks wear various masks, don gorgeous costumes, and hold ritual instruments, dancing gracefully to the rhythm of the music. The Vajra Dance includes various forms and rich content, such as Buddhist stories and myths, aiming to exorcise evil spirits and pray for blessings and peace for all beings. - Sutra Offering Vajra Dance: This is one of the four major offerings of Samye Monastery, continuing from ancient times to the present. During the Sutra Offering Vajra Dance, monks perform various Buddhist rituals and dances to express respect for Buddhist scriptures and gratitude to the Buddha. - Duedon Chupa Festival: During this festival, monks perform divine dances, and the two most ferocious guardian deities of Samye Monastery, the White Har and the Zanmara King, make appearances. When the White Har and Zanmara King appear, they are followed by a procession of 100 sorcerers, 100 monks, 100 witches, and 100 warriors, creating a spectacular scene. These religious ceremonies and activities are not only important cultural heritages of Samye Monastery but also significant components of traditional Tibetan culture. They attract numerous believers and tourists to participate and observe, playing an important role in promoting cultural exchange and heritage.