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THE "THIRD POLE OF THE EARTH" |
| Sven Hedin, the famous Swedish geographer and adventurer at the turn of this century, had this to say about Tibet in his Travel in the Hinterland of Asia: Until January, 1907, we know as little about the other side of the moon. Today, man has set foot on the moon, and the veil over Tibet has been opened. Still, Tibet which is also known as the "third pole of the earth" along with the North Pole, remains as mystical as ever, holding eternal appeal and fascination to people. | |
First and
foremost, Tibet's mystery is derived from its unique geological structure. Situated in
south west China, Tibet is often referred to as "the Asian hinterland border of
China". Covering 1.2 million square kilometers and with a population of about two
million, it has the lowest population density in China. During the Tertiary Period, what
is Tibet now was submerged by sea, which is known as the ancient Mediterranean Sea. During
the famous orogeny of the Himalayas Mountains, the seabed rose and eventually formed the
Tibetan Plateau known as the "world roof" with an average height of about 4,000
meters above the sea level. Across the Tibetan Plateau there lid some of the most famous
mountain ranges
in the world, with the Himalayas Mountains in the southwest, the Kunlun Mountains and
Kalakunlun Mountains in the northwest and the Ganges, Tanggula and Nyainqentanglha
Mountains in the southwest, the Kunlun Mountains and Kalakunlun Mountains in the northwest
and the Ganges,Tanggula and Nyainqentanglha Mountains in the center. The Hengduan
Mountains in the east serve as a shield for the plateau. There are five mounts each with a
height of over 8,000 meters and 50 mounts each with a height of over 7,000 meters. No one
who comes to Tibet by air fails to be impressed by the sea of mountains with magnificent
snow capped peaks and glaciers unfolding before his eyes. However, the platear is by no means just
a world of cold and solitude. Tibet is crisscrossed with rivers and lakes formed by the
melting snow which nurture its fertile land. Covering six different climatic zone and
plateau frigid zone, Tibet is a kingdom of wild plants and animals. People often see
scenery of different climatic zones at the same place. With sharp contrast between majesty
and tranquility, the nature fully displays its breath taking beauty. |
The mystery of Tibet also
comes from its unique religious and cultural background. From Lhasa, the capital of the
Tibetan Autonomous Region to the villages on the grassland and in the river valleys, one finds gilded
roofed lamaseries everywhere, with the impression that these holy structures have given
life to the world around them. The mystery of Tibet perhaps lies in the satellite
architectural structure of these lamaseries. Seeing the flying five color Buddhist banners
and the rising cooking smoke and hearing the sound of the Buddhist bugle, one cannot help wondering if one
has entered a divine world. Buddhism was introduced has entered a divine world. Buddhism
was introduced into Tibet in the 7th century, which evolved into Tibetan
Lamaism that integrated religion with political power. The Lamaist rule lasted until the
1950s. Being the ruling religion and the belief of the ordinary folk, Lamaism has created
splendid religious art and culture that are part of the every day life. The well preserved
lamaseries scattered throughout Tibet represent the cream of the plateau architecture. Here people
conduct religious rites and find numerous invaluable cultural relics in them. In Tibet,
one also finds everywhere lamas in red and pious pilgrims who kowtows before taking each
step on the long pilgrimage journey. |
Influenced by the high
terrain and climate as well as the distinctive religion and culture, the Tibetan
inhabitants have formed their particular way of life, which also has a mystical touch to
it. They open up farmland in the river valley, and they are as simple as the land that
breeds them. They have also created colorful dresses and ornaments. They have also created
beautiful music and dances in harmony with the rhythm of their life. Even a table has
exquisite carvings, and even a horse is retile decorated. All this reflects the love the
Tibetans cherish for their land and life. No wonder the local customs and landscape of
Tibet fascinate the visitors to this land of mystery. |
| It has been almost a century since Sven Hedin's adventure to Tibet. While few people could ever ascend the moon, it is no longer a dream to tour Tibet, the third pole of the world. Many tourists and scholars who have been to Tibet share the view that with its unique natural and cultural landscape, Tibet will become a global tourist attraction. |
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BELIEVERS OF SAKYAMUNI |
| Archaeological finds show that the Tibetans were around on the Tibetan Plateau as early as four or five thousand years ago. However, the available written record of history started in the 7th century, almost the same period when Buddhism was introduced into Tibet. In a sense, the history of Tibet is also the history of the propagation of Buddhism and its domination of the political power and society. Sakyamuni himself would have never expected that the religion that he had founded would yield such rich heritage on the roof of the world. | ||
| During the 8th Century, Great Master Penghua Sheng and Head Master
Jihu opened Sangye Lamasery,the first lamasery in Tibet. Since then, more and more
lamaseries have been opened along with the spread of Buddhism. Today, one can be sure to
find a lamasery in almost every Tibetan community. Lamaseries are built on the mountain peak. Lamaseries are built by the lake. Lamaseries are built at the foot of Mount Qomolangma. In Tibet where the population density is low, the largest number of people are always found in a lamasery. In the three major lamaseries in Lhasa alone, there are about over 10,000 lamas. For instance. Drepung Lamasery, which used to be the largest in China and one of the largest of its kind in the world, had over 10,000 lamas in it during its heyday in the Qing Dynasty. A lamasery is a small society of its own. |
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| A lamasery is where Buddhas and gods of guardian are worshiped and where lamas are engaged in lifelong pursuit of the essence of Buddhism, hence its awe inspiring atmosphere. The lamaseries are monuments to the Tibetan architecture and museums of Tibetan culture and art. | ||
| In the early 12th century, Great Master Tsong Khapa carried out religious reform, and the rule of two living Buddhas of the Dalai Lama and Banchan Lama and their reincarnation were established. They operated respectively from their power bases at Potala Palace and Tashilumbu Lamasery. The past hundred years and more have seen much of the rivalry between the two. |
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| Later, religion has become so closely integrated with daily life that it is
difficult to tell religious customs from popular customs. Mountains and rivers and worshiped as sacred mountains and sacred rivers. Religious occasions are celebrated as the festivals of the whole society. |
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