|
 Tashilhunpo
Monastery, located on the south slope of the
Nyimari hill in the west of the city of Xigatse,
it was originally built in 1447, which is known
as one of the six major monasteries of the
Gelung Sect. It is the largest monastery in the
Tsang area of 300,000 sq.m. Tsongkhapa's 8th
disciple, Gendun Drupa, the 1st Dalai Lama,
built it with the financial aid from the Pakdru
regime. The monastery was expanded and renovated
by the 4th, 5th and 6th Panchens. Thereafter,
the
 Tashilhunpo
Monastery stands at an impressive scale today
and becomes the residence for each successive
Panchen Lama. The highlight of the monastery is
the statue of Maitreya Buddha made of copper
with 22.4 meters high, which looks graceful and
dignified in appearance, It is considered to be
the highest statue in the world |
