The Treasury of Lives

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The three story Lukhang temple was built on a small island in the lake behind the Potala Palace by the Regent Sanggye Gyatso and the Sixth Dalai Lama. The temple was built in the Zangdok Pelri style and dedicated to the naga spirits of the lake. The first floor of the chapel has a raised platform with images of Nagaraja, the King of the Nagas. The third floor of the chapel is decorated with outstanding murals depicting yogic instructions from Atiyoga and Anuyoga meditations. The Lukhang island had been used as a retreat by the Fifth Dalai Lama, and renovations of the Lukhang were undertaken by the Eighth Dalai Lama and the Thirteenth Dalai Lama.

Sources

Larsen, Knud, and Amund Sinding-Larsen. 2001. The Lhasa Atlas: Traditional Tibetan Architecture and Townspace. London: Serindia Publications, pp. 80, 110.

སྣང་བརྙན།

The Potala Palace and the Main Monuments of Lhasa

This painting shows major sites of Lhasa including the Jokhang, Potala Palace and Lukhang. The monasteries of Sera, Drepung, and Sangpu Neutok are also pictured. It is possible that the image depicts activities during Losar festivities.

 

 

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