The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa

 

The Jokhang - overview from the Barkhor

Contrary to general belief not the Potala is the most important place for Tibetan Buddhists but the Jokhang temple. The Potala is a dzong, a castle, and had been the more administrative center of the Tibetan universe. But the Jokhang is a place of worship, that where the pilgrims go prostrate and offer yak butter, money etc. This temple truly is the spiritual heart of Lhasa. The temple has been built since 652, which means since the Tang period according to Chinese reckoning. In front of the Jokhang is the Barkhor with two huge stone structures (sankang), in which incense like aromatic plant are burnt. Barkhor means market place and is part of the kora, the route pilgrims take clockwise to circle the Jokhang, which takes about 20 minutes.

 

Top of the temple - note the flag

 

One of the huge sankang

 

Burning aromatic herbs

 

Pilgrims and tourists

 

 

Prostrating in front of the Jokhang - 

in unison, but each one at his/her own pace 

 

Some pilgrims dress beautifully, e.g. before marriage,

but she might be a Han-Chinese tourist

 

 

These two ladies might rather be pilgrims - 

note the elaborate braids, 108!

 

Interior of the Jokhang

 

Interior of the Jokhang

 

Pilgrims queuing for access

 

Inner court of the Jokhang

 

Han-Chinese pilgrims! Yes, there  are Han-Chinese believers

of the Vajrayana.

 

Constant waves of pilgrims ...