10/07/2015
Apart from Norbulinka Summer Park and Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace located in urban Lhasa ranks the foremost among the top 3 on the directory of “The World Cultural Heritages” in Tibet Autonomous Region.
Two possibilities among the mainstream have been regarded as the reasons why Songtsen Gampo, the previous Tibetan king, had determined to establish the colossal and magnificent group buildings---first, Potala Palace was constructed particularly for Wencheng princess that the later generations could take pride in based on “New Book of Tang Dynasty”; second, according to “The Biography of Tibetan King”, Songtsen Gampo just followed the routine of former kings, founding an auspicious and comfortable place where he could guide to benefit all living creatures.
Two possibilities among the mainstream have been regarded as the reasons why Songtsen Gampo, the previous Tibetan king, had determined to establish the colossal and magnificent group buildings---first, Potala Palace was constructed particularly for Wencheng princess that the later generations could take pride in based on “New Book of Tang Dynasty”; second, according to “The Biography of Tibetan King”, Songtsen Gampo just followed the routine of former kings, founding an auspicious and comfortable place where he could guide to benefit all living creatures.
The imposing Potala Palace just after initial construction was depicted in Songtsen Gampo’s “Nimah Corpora” as “9 floors of a palace were built in the heart of Red Mountain, 999 abodes were made, and there are 1,000 chambers in total if the top palace is counted……9 floors of a southern palace were constructed for Wencheng princess and a bridge forged in silver and copper was paved for the purpose of traveling between……” However, the spectacular and exquisitely created groups of buildings were ruined after Tubo Dynasty was overturned. The 5th Dalai Lama was determined to rebuild Potala Palace in its original location after he established Gandan Pochang Government. The new project was commenced in 1645 and was completed in 1648. Stupa of 5th Dalai Lama and Red Palace (one main portion of Potala Palace) were begun to construct simultaneously 8 years after 5th Dalai Lama passed away. Continuous supplementary expansions in the subsequent 330 years have contributed to the present vastness of Potala Palace.
Started from the southern hillside of Red Mountain, the Potala group buildings with striking scale sprawled till the mountaintop. The walls of Potala Palace were bricked by granites (moor stone) and the wall base goes deep into the mountain rocks. Moreover, melted irony was infused inside the walls in order to strengthen its anti-seismic resistance. Well-proportioned scripture halls, scholastic schools, Buddhist halls, stupas and Buddhist monasteries are piled in sleek layers. The main building, White Palace and Red Palace where Dalai spirit houses and Buddha halls concentrate, is the residence and administrative site for Dalai Lama of all generations. This location has been the political pivot in history and remains extraordinary even nowadays.
The current entrance of Potala Palace is at the back of the mountain, which was subsequently shifted from the east terrace of White Palace. Pilgrimage route conventionally starts from Red Palace, and tourists, throughout the journey, could successively visit stupas of Dalai Lama of all generations, Dharma Cave, Reincarnation Palace, Kalachakra Mandala (Palace of Hour Wheel), Palace of Holy Goddess, the East and West Sunlight Palace where many generations of Dalai Lama resided and handled political affairs as well as eminent frescos (wall paintings) and Thangkas beyond count.
