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Xining,
capital of Qinhai province, was
once a major stop on the Silk Road's southern route. Today
it is one of the poorest provincial capitals in China, and has few
sites of real interest to offer a tourist
in the city itself. Yet
some worthwhile excursions begin there.
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Mosque in Xining |
TA'ER TEMPLE
Ta'er Temple, also known as the "Pagoda Lamasery,"
is one of China's largest Buddhist temples, and a sacred place of the
"Yellow Sect of Tibetan Lamaism."
Located in Lushaer, to the southwest of Xining, the temple is still used
for worship by "Yellow Sect" believers.
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Ta'er Temple |
Lamaism took root in
Tibet in the seventh century as a new form of Buddhism. Over the
centuries that followed, numerous sects developed. In the 15th century,
a well-known Lama called Zongkaba founded a new reformed sect, which
strictly observed Buddhist precepts. His followers were easily
identified by their hats, hence the derivation of the name "Yellow
(Hat) Sect."
Their influence grew
to such an extent that they eventually became the ruling sect in Tibet.
They were also granted the patronage of the Ming and Qing courts, who
built a grand "Yellow Sect" lamasery called "Yong He
Palace" in Beijing.
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Ta'er Temple |
Since Zhongkaba was
born in Lushaer, numerous
pagodas were built there to commemorate
him. In
1560, a small lamasery was built around the pagodas. The lamasery was
expanded over the centuries into a magnificent lamasery, which ranks
closely in importance with the Dazhao Lamasery in
Lhasa. There are many
prayer halls, pagodas and priceless works of art such as sutras,
porcelain from the 13th century, collections of embossed embroideries,
carpets and superb statues.
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Buddhist Pagoda |
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