I visited the holy Jokhang Temple, Lhasa 2008.
This sacred statue is of the King of The Three Worlds, Manjunatha Tsongkapa is in the sacred Jokhang Temple or Central Cathedral in Lhasa. I was told that this image is very old and said to resemble the real Tzongkapa Himself. I was like wow!!
I climbed myself inside to take pictures with Tsongkapa together. I waived off the "you cannot take pics in here" from the tour guide and just snapped away the camera…hehe..anyway, this is totally sacred and it was VERY EXCITING to have audience with Tsongkapa. I want to share this with everyone.
Tsem Rinpoche
I really like this statue of Lama Je Tsongkhapa – he looks so alive and I was not surprised that people say this statue resembles the real Tsongkhapa.
This trip to Tibet was arranged by Paul Yap of Kechara Discovery. Kechara Discovery was set up for two main reasons – one is to create and lead pilgrimages to the different holy sites in the world, and the other is to create affordable Buddha images for all to invite home.
Paul has done a great job and organised trips to India, Nepal as well as Tibet. During this trip, Paul actually accompanied Rinpoche to Tibet, and received many teachings on the significance of the various places. I hope Kechara Discovery will arrange a tour to Tibet soon!
Please be careful, Tulkula
Wow, what a holy image…said to resemble Tsongkhapa himself, imbued with the prayers of thousands upon thousands of pilgrims for hundreds of years, in the Jokhang.
I always thought it was interesting how the look of a Buddha statue seems to ‘change’ depending on where it is made. This statue looks very much like a Tibetan, whilst a Tsongkhapa made in China looks much more Chinese.
The changing of Buddha statues from culture to culture, reflects the universality of Buddhism as a way of life. After all, it fits Chinese culture, Tibetan culture, British culture, American culture…anyone and everyone can identify with Buddha’s words. I also think that the changing of Buddha statues reflects teachings that physical manifestations are impermanent.
Personally, I prefer the Chinese statues from Kechara Discovery ( http://www.kechara.com/b2b ) …that’s where the Tsongkhapa statue in my room is from
Rinpoche mentioned to me that this image of Tsongkhapa inside Jokhang monastery is exceptionally holy. It is said to resemble Tsongkhapa himself when he was alive.
Please take note that this image of Tsongkhapa has a bigger nose than any other Tsongkhapa image you had seen before, simply because it resemble Tsongkhapa himself. We also heard reports that saw miraculous light coming shining from it.
I have the good merits following Rinpoche to Jokhang and pay homage to this holy image in late 2008.
Nowadays, whenever Rinpoche ask me to make a new Buddha image for Tsongkhapa, I will always refer to this picture, and make Tsongkhapa’s nose a little bigger than normal.
Paul
This statue of Je Tsongkhapa looks very nice, and indeed the nose looks slightly different. But what I find most beautiful in this picture is to see both my guru and Je Rinpoche together, almost as if in a conversation. I have never been to Tibet and cannot be sure how difficult it is to brave the interdiction to take pictures, but I salute Rinpoche for taking the risk of climbing closer to the statue ans also the risk in taking the picture itself; for without it we would not be able to all see and share this beautiful picture.
This picture is like a blessing, there is Je Rinpoche in the form of a statue symbolic of his enlightened body, and there is Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, embodying the teachings of the Buddhas, the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa reaching out to us, still lost and wondering.
WoW! I love this Buddha image, it is one of my favorites! This rare statue of Lama Tsongkhapa is truly glowing and alive! It really does look like it’s about to say something to you. Some people have actually experienced statues that come alive and talk to them, and Lama Tsongkhapa statues are one of them.
They say the more prayers you make, the more ones statue come alive. This is true as I’ve seen happening with my own Buddha statues.
Paul you are so lucky to have the merit to follow our Lama to such holy pilgrimage sites.
Yes this seeing this image is a great blessing as it is said that seeing a Buddha image gives you blessing and plants seeds of enlightenment in your mind whether you believe it or not. Hence this is one of the many reason for making or having huge, visible Buddha images everywhere.
Yes, I was there too with Rinpoche, Paul and Seng Piow at Jokhang Temple, Lhasa. I have had the fortunate to visit Jokhang Temple, one of the oldest and holiest temple in the world, the second time and this time with Rinpoche. I remembered I also tried taking a photo here with Je Tsongkhapa on the same spot as Rinpoche but I was told politely and firmly to get off. Ha…ha…
Everyone should at least, once in your life time, visit Lhasa and the priority place of visit is of course Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple was built by King Songten Gampo. There are many holy images in the temple and the most beautiful and revered image is Jowo Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng from China as dowry when she married King Songten Gampo. Tibet and all the spiritual places are so exciting and inspirational!!! I urge you to visit Tibet. For more information onTibet please contact Paul : http://www.kechara.com/kd
I really want to visit Jokhang temple to see the great and beautiful image of the King of the three words, Manjunatha Tsongkhapa. Since the place is very sacred, I do not think I might get my chance to see the image of the great saint…I love the picture of Rinpoche and the beautiful image of Manjunatha Tsongkhapa. Well, we must remind ourselves to actually LISTEN to our tour guides or else they might end up throwing us out if we disobey them but lucky you! Ha Ha! Just Joking! But seriously, we must always listen to our Lama no matter what!
Wow! The statues that they said most look alike the actual Tsongkhapa. How auspicious to be able to see it in Nepal ! I wish i could be therea at that time. I really like Tsongkhapa too , HE always looks so peaceful and serene , whenever i see Tsongkhapa statues the feeling of calmness will befalls in me. I wish KD will arrange another pilgrimage to all the holy sites again and i will be allowed to participate.
On the previous trip everyone that has been able to join must have collected much merits previously to be at such an old temples with Rinpoche.
This is a very special photo. I like this statue of Lama Tsongkhapa, his face is very serene and he is smiling. This is the face I try to visualise in my prayers because it is supposed to resemble the real Tsongkhapa. Of course, like everyone else, I’d like to visit this place in the future, and also other places in Tibet where Lama Tsongkhapa had stayed or given teachings. It’d be nice if KD could organise a pilgrimage to Tibet. I’m sure a lot of KH members would want to go.
But, you know, the best place to be is where the lama is.
Thank you Rinpoche for showing the picture which you took with Manjunatha Tsongkapa in the sacred Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. It is not easy for anyone to go into Lhasa, Tibet. But I think for you there is no problem as you are a Tibetan.I am glad you were able to climb in to have a picture taken with Tsongkapa, although it is restricted for people to take pictures. I like this Tsongkapa image. He is so gentle and has a very sweet and magnetic smile. I think the real Tsongkapa may have looked like that too. Since the image is very old and also lots of people have been praying to him. Then there will be lots of energy. One day he may even speak.
Thank you Rinpoche for such a nice photo and short write up about Manjunatha Tsongkhapa.
The statue look very alive, Paul and irene had such a great merit to see this statue. it is said that seeing a Buddha image gives us a blessing and plants seeds in our mind whether we believe it or not.
Therefore now a day many temples are making huge statue everywhere.
The image is beautiful peeking out from the ‘lhari’. I feel its a blessing to look at any Lama Tsongkhapa statue. Lama Tsongkhapa who became enlightened even in this degenerate age. He was the unparalleled scholar of our times.
i actually wondered before why Buddhism remained intact in Tibet and was mainly preserved in Tibet and I feel due to the isolation and remoteness of Tibet, the traditions could flourish there in relative peace. Until it was ready to be unleashed to the rest of the world. I hope to hear Kechara Discovery arranges more pilgrimages for all of us.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this precious Photo.
This is a lovely photo and i am glad Rinpoche told the tour guide to buzz off!
Thank you for sharing it with us and i hope Kechara Discovery will organise a pilgrimage to Tibet one of these days. I would love to visit Jokhang Temple and Gaden monastery even though it is said to be very different in atmosphere nowadays.
Thanks Rinpoche. This is nice and beautiful Lama Tsongkapa statue