Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Monastery) – A Center for Tibetan Buddhism

Located in the plaza at the front of Kumbum Monastery, the Eight Auspicious Stupas were built in 1776 to commemorate the eight great deeds of the Buddha, Shakyamuni. Each stupa stands 6.4 meters high, with a base circumference of 9.4 meters and a base area of 5.7 square meters. The stupa body is coated in white plaster, while the base is constructed from blue bricks. Decorative inscriptions adorn the midsection, and on the southern side of each stupa, there is a niche housing Sanskrit scriptures.

The Great Golden Stupa Hall is situated at the center of Kumbum Monastery. In Tibetan, it is called “Sertön Chenmo,” meaning “Golden Roof.” Covering an area of 450 square meters, the hall was originally built in 1560. In 1711, the roof was remodeled with 1,300 taels of gold and over 10,000 taels of silver to create a three-tiered, golden-roofed structure. The eaves were decorated with gilded cloud motifs and lotus petals, with towers and “flame palms” on the flying ridges. The four corners were adorned with metal beasts and copper bells. The lower level features glazed brick walls, while the second level has Tibetan-style windows with a distinctive golden inscription on the façade. The front pillars are wrapped in Tibetan carpets, and inside, there hangs an imperial plaque bestowed by Emperor Qianlong, inscribed with “Banner of the Buddhist Doctrine.”

Inside the Great Golden Stupa Hall stands the 12.5-meter-tall Great Silver Stupa, marking the birthplace of Tsongkhapa. The stupa has a silver base, gilded with gold, inlaid with jewels, and draped with layers of white “khatas” (ceremonial scarves) to signify its importance. A niche on the stupa contains a statue of Tsongkhapa. In front of the stupa are various offerings, including butter lamps, silver drums, horns, jade incense burners, and golden banners. The hall is richly adorned with hanging tapestries, silk banners, embroidered Buddha images, and decorative ceilings, creating a majestic and solemn atmosphere. The overall architecture is grand and impressive, reflecting the cultural significance of the site.

Also known as the Protector’s Hall, the Small Golden Stupa Hall was originally built in 1631 during the reign of the Chongzhen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The hall’s corridors are lined with animal specimens, including wild oxen, sheep, bears, and monkeys, symbolizing the subjugation of all evil demons by divine powers. On the left side of the hall, there is a specimen of a white horse, which, according to legend, was ridden by the Third Dalai Lama during his journey from Lhasa, Tibet, to Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai. After visiting the monastery, the Dalai Lama was headed to Mongolia to spread Buddhist teachings, but the horse refused to leave, remaining at the monastery. It eventually died of hunger and was later revered as a divine horse, enshrined alongside other household deities.

The Grand Sutra Hall is the largest building in Kumbum Monastery, constructed in the Tibetan flat-roofed style using timber and earth. Covering nearly 2,000 square meters, the hall boasts 168 large pillars and was first built in 1606 during the Wanli Emperor’s reign of the Ming Dynasty. It serves as the primary location where lamas gather for reciting scriptures. The hall is equipped with seating cushions, accommodating over a thousand lamas for collective chanting.

The interior of the Grand Sutra Hall is magnificently decorated, adorned with banners and canopies in yellow, red, green, blue, and white, along with intricate coffered ceilings. The walls are covered with precious, large-scale appliqué Buddha images and embroidered Buddhist figures. The beams and eaves are painted with traditional Tibetan patterns, executed with delicate precision. The hall’s imposing pillars are wrapped in Tibetan carpets featuring dragon, phoenix, and cloud motifs, contributing to the hall’s colorful and lavish appearance.

The roof, over 1,000 square meters in size, is adorned with gilded copper decorations, including golden deer, Dharma wheels, and various auspicious symbols such as vases, stupas, parasols, and inverted bells, all representing the religious significance and traditional Tibetan artistry. From a distance, the gleaming gold of the roof’s embellishments exudes a sense of majesty and splendor.

Also known as the Longevity Buddha Hall, the Small Flower Temple was constructed for the recitation of longevity scriptures for the 7th Tasong Lama, which is why it is also called the Longevity Buddha Hall. This temple forms a small courtyard, with a delicate, charming front door set into a brick wall of glazed tiles. Inside the courtyard, Bodhi trees flourish, providing dense shade, creating a peaceful and elegant atmosphere. The hall itself contains over 30 statues, including one of Sakyamuni. The wooden relief carvings, layered and intricate, create a stunning backdrop for the Buddha shrines. The hand-carved details are exquisite, representing the finest woodcarving craftsmanship of Kumbum Monastery. Architecturally, the hall features a double-eaved, hipped roof with slightly upturned corners, its rafters and brackets intricately designed, resembling a beautifully carved wooden picture.

Also known as the Manjusri Hall, this building is in the Han-style with a hard gable roof and a layout of nine bays wide and three bays deep, covering an area of 592 square meters. Originally built in 1592 during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli reign, it was expanded in 1734 during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. The hall’s veranda columns are eight-sided and painted red in the Tibetan style. The hall is divided into three main sections, each comprising three bays. From north to south, they are the Lion’s Roar Buddha Hall, the Manjusri Hall, and the Tsongkhapa Hall. The Flower Temple, also known as the Longevity Hall, was built in 1717 during the 56th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign and stands as an independent courtyard. This two-story structure features a double-eaved, hipped roof. The beams and lintels are adorned with carvings of birds, animals, flowers, and traditional patterns, while the courtyard walls are decorated with glazed tile reliefs. Inside the hall, there are statues of Sakyamuni, the Sixteen Arhats, and the Four Heavenly Kings.

Da Lalang consists of three halls: the Sutra Hall, the Hua Gate, and the Paifang (a traditional Chinese architectural feature). This complex represents a harmonious blend of Han and Tibetan architectural styles and serves as the residence of the Tsongkhapa monks, where both the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama have stayed. The Jibazha Temple (Vajrayana Academy) is built in a traditional Tibetan flat-roof style, while the Manbazha and Dingke Temples showcase a combination of Han and Tibetan architectural elements. The site features dozens of pagodas, including eight prominent 如意宝塔 (Ruyi pagodas) located in front of the temple, characterized by square bases, vase-shaped bodies, and pointed tops. These pagodas commemorate significant events and legends from the life of Sakyamuni Buddha, culminating in the establishment of Kumbum Monastery.

Kumbum Monastery is renowned throughout the Tibetan region, especially for its annual event of displaying large Buddha images or Thangkas, known as the “Buddha Unveiling Festival.” This event involves bringing out a massive Buddha statue, which has been stored for a year, for public viewing in an outdoor setting. This practice serves to protect the statue from mildew and pests and is also a unique way for the monks and believers to pay homage to the Buddha. The statue is a specially crafted large Thangka, which is a rare and valuable scroll painting.

The best time to unveil the Buddha is at dawn when the first rays of sunlight illuminate the land, which is why it is also referred to as “Buddha Sunbathing.” The unveiling occurs twice each year during the fourth and sixth months of the lunar calendar, commemorating Sakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana, as well as the birth and nirvana of Tsongkhapa. The event allows devotees to admire the statue, receive blessings, and protect it from damage. Kumbum Monastery showcases four massive embroidered Buddha images: the Lion’s Roar, Sakyamuni, Tsongkhapa, and Vajrasattva. Each time, only one of these grand figures is displayed on the hillside of the monastery, making the unveiling ceremony a spectacular event attended by many.