Yabsang Temple གཡའ་བཟང་དགོན།, perched on ལྷ་ཤམ་པོ Yarla Shambo Mountain in Nedong County, Tibet, stands at an impressive altitude of 4330 meters. This temple, founded in 1206 by Yasang Chomon Sengge རྒྱལ་བ་གཡའ་བཟང་པ(1169–1233). It is the ancestral monastery of the Yasang Kagyu Sect, an influential branch of Tibetan Buddhism.
Historical Significance:
- Founder: Yasang Chosmon-sengge, a native of the Tsang region and belonging to the Nushi family, established the temple. He was a monk who initially studied under the Kadam sect and later became a disciple of Gedan Yeshe Sengge, gaining profound knowledge in Buddhist teachings.
- Spiritual Legacy: It is believed that Yasang Chosmon-sengge was the incarnation of Songtsen Gampo and attained the rainbow body, a high-level spiritual realization in Tibetan Buddhism.
Architectural Splendor:
- Layout: The temple faces east from the west and stretches across a considerable area, measuring 360 meters from north to south and 250 meters from east to west.
- Structure: Built along the mountainside, the temple’s multiple levels give the appearance of several rows of buildings adorned with dazzling golden domes.
- Main Buildings: Include a sutra hall, Buddhist hall, spiritual pagoda, and monk residences.
Cultural and Artistic Treasures:
- Main Buddha Statue: An alloy statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, reportedly taller than the one in Jokhang Temple by 20 centimeters.
- Amitayus Thangka: A highly revered satin thangka of Amitayus, known for its exceptional preservation and spiritual significance.
Tour Tips:
- Historical Research: Yasang Temple houses the “History of Yasang Monastery,” a crucial document providing insights into the temple’s history, the Yasang Kagyu Sect, and Tibetan history.
- Traditional Healing: The temple is known for a secret method of stroke treatment, passed down through generations and reputed for its effectiveness, attracting many seeking healing.
Visiting Yasang Temple offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich spiritual heritage of Tibetan Buddhism and witness the temple’s majestic architecture, set against the backdrop of the Tibetan highlands. The temple’s cultural significance and its role in traditional healing practices make it a significant destination for both spiritual and historical exploratio