A Journey to Ta'er Monastery

In this life, I circumambulate mountains, rivers, and stupas. After handling some affairs in Xining and having half a day of free time, it just so happened that I was close to Ta'er Monastery, so I decided to pay a visit. Is there anyone like me? Actually, I don't have a deep study of Buddhism itself or the monasteries, but I really enjoy looking at the architecture of various monasteries, walking inside them, and sitting on the steps of the monasteries. At that time, it seems like my soul is purified, or maybe it's just that I let myself be quiet for a little while. Even on rainy days, there are many devout believers prostrating tens of thousands of times. Facing such a scene, I can't help but be deeply moved, praying for the safety and health of my family as I look at this ancient monastery. Perhaps this is the meaning of travel, suddenly giving rise to many unexpected emotions in life. 🔥Highlights of the visit: ⭐️Ta'er Monastery is the birthplace of Master Tsongkhapa. The stupa was built before the monastery, hence the name, and it has a history of over 600 years. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China. ⭐️Three unique arts of Ta'er Monastery: butter sculptures (mineral pigments kneaded into butter), murals (dyes made from natural stone minerals), and appliqué thangkas (the world's only surviving eighteen Arhats appliqué thangkas). ⭐️The overall architectural style of Ta'er Monastery is a blend of Han and Tibetan art styles. It features Han-style buildings with flying eaves and upturned corners like palaces, as well as Tibetan-style flat-roofed temples with timber structures. ⭐️Outside the Great Golden Tile Temple, there is a sandalwood tree, which is said to have grown from the spot where Master Tsongkhapa's umbilical cord was cut and blood dripped. The tree has a hundred thousand leaves, and since then, each leaf naturally reveals an image of a Lion's Roar Buddha. The sandalwood tree of the Great Golden Tile Temple is revered by believers as a Bodhi tree because its roots originate from the stupa of Master Tsongkhapa inside the hall. ⭐️You may encounter some small animals inside the monastery, which are very spiritual. 💥Tips: 🌻Ticket price: Peak season 70 RMB/person (4.1-10.31), off-season 40 RMB/person (11.1-3.31). 🌻Visiting time: Approximately 2-3 hours 🌻If you want to gain a deeper understanding, remember to hire a guide. You can share a guide with a few people. 🌻The altitude is over 2000 meters, some people may experience mild altitude sickness. 🌻There are many Tibetan costumes for photography at the entrance. If interested, you can try. (Note that you cannot enter Ta'er Monastery in Tibetan costumes, you can take photos first, then take off the clothes and enter the monastery with makeup on) 🌞Precautions: Do not touch scriptures, Buddha statues, or ritual instruments with your hands. No photography inside the halls Dress modestly Do not circumambulate stupas or prayer wheels in the opposite direction Do not step on the thresholds of the halls, it is recommended to step over