The Tibetan White Pagoda, also known as the Tibetan Stupa and the Lama Pagoda, is a common architectural form in Tibetan Buddhist temples. It is not only a treasure of Tibetan architectural art, but also a symbol of rich religious and cultural connotation and historical inheritance. So, what exactly is the Tibetan White Pagoda for?This article will introduce its origin, function, architectural characteristics and other aspects in detail.
First, let's learn about the origins of the Tibetan White Pagoda. According to historical records, the Tibetan White Pagoda first originated in India and was later introduced. In the 7th century, during the reign of Songtsen Gampo, in order to promote Buddhism, Buddhism was introduced from India. At the same time, he also invited famous Indian architects, sculptors and painters to come to ** and designed and built many exquisite buildings and artworks for Buddhist temples. Among them, the most representative is the Tibetan White Pagoda. After a long period of development and evolution, the Tibetan White Pagoda has gradually become an indispensable part of Tibetan Buddhist temples.
Next, let's take a look at the functions of the Tibetan White Pagoda. The Tibetan White Pagoda has the following functions:
Religious function: The Tibetan White Pagoda is an important building in Tibetan Buddhist temples, mainly used to worship Buddhist holy relics, collect scriptures and ritual instruments, etc. At the same time, it also has the functions of praying for blessings, eliminating disasters, and suppressing evil, and believers often burn incense in front of the white pagoda to worship the Buddha and pray for peace and auspiciousness.
Commemorative function: The Tibetan White Pagoda also has commemorative significance. Many of the white pagodas were built to commemorate a certain monk or an important historical event. For example, the 12-year-old statue of Shakyamuni in the Jokhang Temple is enshrined in the White Pagoda built by Songtsen Gampo to commemorate his marriage to Princess Wencheng.
Artistic function: The Tibetan White Pagoda is a treasure of Tibetan architectural art and has high artistic value. Its architectural style is unique, with beautiful lines, fine carvings and rich colors, which fully reflects the wisdom and talent of the Tibetan people. At the same time, there are many murals, thangkas and other artworks inside and outside the White Pagoda, providing people with opportunities to appreciate and study Tibetan art.
Finally, let's take a look at the architectural characteristics of the Tibetan White Pagoda. The architectural style of the Tibetan White Pagoda is mainly influenced by Indian pagodas, but it has distinct Tibetan characteristics. Generally speaking, the Tibetan White Pagoda is composed of a base, a tower body, a phase wheel, a canopy and other parts. The base is usually square or round and is used to support the entire towerThe tower is divided into multiple layers, each with a cornice and window latticeLocated at the top of the pagoda, the phase wheel is circular or polygonal in shape, symbolizing the boundlessness of Dharma;The canopy is a decorative structure that covers the top of the phase wheel, with different shapes, implying auspiciousness. In addition, another important feature of the Tibetan White Pagoda is that its exterior walls are usually coated with white lime, hence the name "White Pagoda".
In short, the Tibetan White Pagoda is an important building in Tibetan Buddhist temples, with rich religious and cultural connotations and historical inheritance. It is not only a holy place for believers to pray for blessings and disasters, but also an important place for artists to study and appreciate Tibetan art. Nowadays, with the development of tourism, more and more tourists are attracted by the unique charm of the Tibetan White Pagoda and come to visit and feel the mystery and tranquility of this millennium.