Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t21.2

v1.c7.s3.t21.2

The exterior architectural form of Jokhang Temple features architectural styles and techniques from India, Nepal and Tibet. According to the Biography of *Kings in Tibet*, mandalas are carved and painted on four gates to satisfy the wish of the Buddhist Guru, vajry (rock) pestles are carved and painted on pillars to meet the desire of sngags-mang, swastika (Srivatsa) are carved and painted on four corners to meet aspirations of Bonismo believers and grillworks are painted to satisfy the hopes of people in Tibet. At that time Jokhang Temple was a three-layer temple facing the west which represented that the Princess missed her hometown, Nepal, west of Lhasa city. On both sides of main shrine, there are side halls and such layout reflects the model of the universe in Buddhism. Many statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are enshrined and worshiped inside the temple including Ekādaśa mukhānām Avalokiteśvara (likeness of King Songtsem Gampo), statues of Akshobya Vajra, Maitreya dharma and Arya Tara brought by Princess Bhrikuti from Nepal.