Source: CCTV.com

08-02-2006 17:14

The 5th Dalai Lama passed away in 1682. But it wasn't until eight years later that construction began on the Red Palace as his stupa. The walls of the palace were painted red, to represent stateliness and power. The Red Palace is today renowned for its religious status, gorgeous stupas and precious cultural relics. As for Byampa Kalzang, hard study made him well versed in Buddhist doctrines and turned him into an expert on Buddhist rites. He was admitted into the Sutra Chanting Hall, an institution in charge of Buddhist services and daily activities at the Potala Palace. Then, as he turned 30, he became a sutra prayer-leader.

In Tibetan Buddhism, a mandala is an imaginary palace that is contemplated during meditation. Objects kept in the palace have their own significance, representing aspects of wisdom and reminding the meditator of the guiding principles in their religion. Tradition dictates the shapes, sizes and colours of these objects. There are many different mandalas, each with different lessons to teach. Most mandalas contain a host of deities and inanimate objects.

Tens of thousands of Han, Nepalese and Tibetan artisans worked together on the Red Palace, which was completed in 1693. Upon its completetion, the Potala Palace became the seat of all Dalai Lamas and the place where their stupas were placed. All together, ten Dalai Lamas had lived in the Potala Palace, and each of them had a different fate. But as boys, they all embarked on the arduous study of Buddhist doctrines, designed to prepare themselves as the supreme spiritual leader of Tibet.

 

Editor:Wang