Sakya Monastery Sajia Si
Sakya Monastery stands 150km/93mi southwest of Xigaze. The Tibetan word ''sakya'' means ''grayish earth'', referring to the color of the soil in this region. The monastery was the center of the Sakyapa sect. Its abbots were both the religious and secular heads of Sakya and owners of large estates. The last incumbent was obliged to seek asylum in India in 1959.
The whole monastery complex consists of two sections 500m/1500ft apart - the North Monastery dating from 1073 and the South Monastery built in 1268. The huge Assembly Hall or Tsuglagkhang in the South Monastery - it is 10m/33ft high and covers an area of 5500sq.m/59,000sq.ft - can accommodate 10,000 people.
The whole monastery complex consists of two sections 500m/1500ft apart - the North Monastery dating from 1073 and the South Monastery built in 1268. The huge Assembly Hall or Tsuglagkhang in the South Monastery - it is 10m/33ft high and covers an area of 5500sq.m/59,000sq.ft - can accommodate 10,000 people.
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The roof is supported on 40 pillars, the stoutest of which was a gift from Kublai Khan. The interior fittings of the hall are magnificent. The right side wing contains stupas in memory of deceased Sakya abbots as well as frescos dating from the 13th C. Bronze figures can be seen in the galleries of the left side wing.
The monastery houses more than 1000 volumes of Buddhist, historical and philosophical writings as well as a large number of porcelain vessels, statues and embroidery from the Yuan period (1271-1368).
The monastery houses more than 1000 volumes of Buddhist, historical and philosophical writings as well as a large number of porcelain vessels, statues and embroidery from the Yuan period (1271-1368).
