Xialu Monastery
( 2005-10-27 )

The Xialu Monastery is located about 20 kilometers from Xigaze Prefecture in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region and was built in the 11th century. It was once the residence of a great scholar, who contributed greatly to TibetanBuddhismin the 1st century.

The monastery's architecture is a typical combination of Tibetan and Chinese styles with archways, carved pillars, tiledroofs, and Song- and Yuan-style murals, differentiating it from other monasteries in Tibet.

In addition to the various statues of Buddha, the monastery has four treasures of inestimable value, including a scriptureprintingboard carved out of sandalwood, a copper jar for holy water, a stone basin which is said to have been used by Shaja Banzhida, and a stone board engraved with the nature-made six-character principle. Concerning the last treasure, an exquisite mini stupa is engraved on each of the four corners. It is said that this board was unearthed when the construction of the monastery first started.