Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t21.5

v1.c7.s3.t21.5

Jokhang Temple gradually formed a grand architectural complex after expansion and renovation several times since 7th century CE. The most sacred Buddha statue enshrined inside the temple has changed into a statue of Shakyamuni, a life-size statue of Buddha at age of 12 which was brought by Princess Wencheng in Tang Dynasty. In the 11th century CE, Pa Ba Xi Rao (vphaks-pa-shes-rab), a master from Ngari Sanai and Dui Qiong Kuo Ben expanded Jokhang Temple, building a Buddha Hall and moulding Buddha statues on the east. At the same time monk groups were established and Jokhang Temple formed the rudiment of monastery. In Yuan Dynasty, several Khri Dpon (local officials responsible for the administration in Tibet) undertook maintenance and reconstruction work and built many Buddha statues. In the Ming Dynasty, Master Tsongkhapa requested Zha Ba Jiang Qu, the third Dharmaraja of Phagmodrupa Dynasty, to renovate Jokhang Temple on a large scale. In 1409, Master Tsongkhapa decorated the Statue of Shakyamuni with five-dhyani Buddha Crown. Since 1642, the fifth Dalai Lama and Sangye Gyatso expanded and decorated the temple on a larger scale which made the complex splendid and magnificent with a completely new outlook.