9-day exploration of Tibetan humanities and history | Tracing thousands of years of political and religious changes and decoding the origin of Tibetan civilization

 

Line highlights:

① Visit according to the historical context, be there between ancient buildings and murals, and interpret the political and religious situation from the 7 th to 20 th century AD on the spot.

② Stroll through the ancient city of Lhasa, and visit the residence of important living Buddhas, art galleries, scripture printing houses and secret houses; Take a nap on the rooftop of the ancient city or the sweet teahouse, and feel the daily life of Lhasa where tradition and modernity blend.

③ Pilgrimage to Samye Temple, the first temple with all Buddhists and monks in Tibet, and the core ancestral courts of the three major sects of Kagyu, Sakya and Gelu.

④ Walk the natural holy cave at an altitude of 4,700 meters, follow in the footsteps of believers and worship the legendary natural miracles.

⑤ Appreciate the two most representative religious murals in Weizang area, and interpret the profound meaning behind the symbols and characters in the paintings.

⑥ Visit the Panchen Lama’s three major temples in Tashilhunpo Monastery and Lhasa, and trace back the power change and changes of the times in Tibet from 17 th to 20 th centuries.

 

Line schedule

Itinerary

 

Arrive in Lhasa on the 1 st day

Arrive in Lhasa, pick you up by special car and take you to the hotel to rest and adapt to the plateau environment.

Meals: None

Hotels: Lhasa Songzan or St. Regis

 

Day 2 Depth of Lhasa Ancient City: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and Jokhang Temple

Visit the core of the ancient city of Lhasa, and worship Jokhang Temple and Jokhang Temple, which enshrine 8-year-old and 12-year-old Sakyamuni, in turn. Then go deep into the old city and visit historical buildings that are rarely visited by tourists (the former living Buddha’s residence, the ancient sutra printing house, the contemporary art museum and the tantric college). On the way, you will have a nap at the rooftop cafe of the ancient city building and experience the sweet teahouse culture loved by locals.

Explain the core today

○ The Origin of Buddhism in India and Its Spread Path in Asia

○ The Rise of Tubo Dynasty and Its Interaction with the Tang Empire

○ Identification of the Main Protectors and Buddha Statues in Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries

Dining: Breakfast

Hotel: Songzan or St. Regis Lhasa

Day 3 Samye Temple, Zhatang Temple or Holy Relic Cave

In the morning, drive along the Yarlung Zangbo River valley for about 2 hours, and arrive at the first temple in Tibet with the three treasures of Buddhism, Dharma and monks-Samye Temple, which was built at the end of the 8 th century. Its architectural layout follows the cosmology in the ancient Indian Buddhist scripture Chang Agama, and combines Tibetan, Chinese and Indian styles.

Depending on physical fitness and weather, you can choose any of the following activities in the afternoon:

Option A (good physical fitness, good weather) Go to the natural holy cave at an altitude of 4,700 meters and explore it on foot for about 2-3 hours. The cave contains various natural religious symbols in folklore.

Option B (no strong physical strength is required to adapt to various weather) Visit Zhatang Temple, famous for its exquisite religious murals and built in the 11 th century.

Explain the core today

○ Collision and Integration between Yong-Zhong Bon Religion and Tibetan Buddhism in the Early Period

○ Historical Process and Key Figures of Buddhism Introduction to Tibet

○ The Origin and Core Characteristics of Tantra in Mahayana Buddhism

○ Interpretation of the connotation of common symbols and images in religious murals

 

Dining: Breakfast

Hotel: Songzan or St. Regis Lhasa

Day 4 Chubu Temple, go to Shigatse, the post-Tibetan center

It takes about 2 hours to take a bus to Chubu Monastery, the fundamental dojo of Karma Kagyu Sect, which was founded in 1189. The unique reincarnation system of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism originated here. Then drive for about 5 hours to Shigatse, the central city of Houzang.

Explain the core today

○ The Fall of Tubo Dynasty and the Formation of Main Sects of Tibetan Buddhism (9 th-11 th century)

○ The Origin, Inheritance, Rise and Fall of the Kagyu School (11 th-17 th Century)

○ The Role of Kagyu in the Bhutan-Weizang War and the Gurkha Invasion of Tibet

○ Analysis of the Core Concepts of Buddhism from the Perspective of Modern Psychology

 

Dining: Breakfast

Hotel: Hilton Shigatse

 

Day 5 Sakya Temple and Xialu Temple

It takes about 2.5 hours to visit Sakya Temple, the ancestral court of Sakya Sect, which was built in the 11 th century and shaped like a castle. I am lucky enough to pay tribute to the treasure of its town temple “right-handed white conch”. It is said that this holy object was used by Sakyamuni. It went through the Indian kings and the emperors of the Yuan Dynasty, and was finally welcomed to Sakya by the emperor Basiba. After returning to Shigatse, visit Xialu Temple, which houses rare murals from the 14 th century.

Explain the core today

○ The establishment, development and prosperity of Sakya School in Yuan Dynasty (11 th-13 th century)

○ The Unique Inheritance System of Sakya Dharma Kings

○ The Mutual Influence and Political Marriage between Mongolian Empire and Tibetan Buddhism

○ Style Characteristics and Symbolic Significance of Religious Mural and Thangka Art

Dining: Breakfast

Hotel: Hilton Shigatse

 

Day 6 Tashilhunpo Monastery, return to Lhasa

Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded in the 15 th century and is the residence of Panchen Lama of past dynasties, and one of the six monasteries of Gelug Sect. Drive for about 4 hours in the afternoon and return to the holy city of Lhasa.

Explain the core today

The founding, early development and the course of becoming the mainstream sect of Gelug School (15 th-17 th century)

Main Living Buddha Lineage and Important Temple Network of Gelug Sect

The Key Roles of the Sixth Panchen Lama and the Ninth Panchen Lama in the Historical Turning Point

Dining: Breakfast

Hotels: Lhasa Songzan or St. Regis

 

Day 7 Ganden Monastery and Zayeba Practice Place

It takes about 1.5 hours by car to make a pilgrimage to Gandan Temple, the fundamental Dojo built by Master Zongkhapa, the patriarch of Gelug Sect, and the residence of Gandan Chiba (Gelug Sect leader) in the past dynasties. Then go to Zayeba, a holy place for spiritual practice on the cliff at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. It was first built by Songtsen Gampo for the princess. There are more than 80 caves for spiritual practice, and the natural scenery along the way is magnificent.

Explain the core today

○ How Gelug Sect replaced Kagyu Sect as the dominant force in Tibet in the 17 th century

○ Strict organization and study system in Gelug monasteries

○ Structural evolution of political and religious power in Tibet from the 17 th to the 20 th century

○ The Influence and Choice of the 13 th Dalai Lama in the Political Situation of the Late Qing Dynasty and the Early Republic of China

Dining: Breakfast

Hotels: Lhasa Songzan or St. Regis

 

Day 8 Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery or Potala Palace

In the morning, visit drepung monastery, which has a history of 600 years and is one of the three major monasteries in Lhasa. It was once the residence of the 2 nd to 5 th Dalai Lamas and one of the highest-ranking institutions of Gelug Sect. In the afternoon, visit Sera Monastery and Potala Palace. These two holy places are the key witnesses of the fierce collision and blending of secular regime and religious beliefs in modern Tibetan history.

 

Explain the core today

○ The Stepped Study Process and Degree System of Gelug Monks

○ Great Reforms of Tibetan Governance System in the Qing Dynasty, Kang, Yong and Qian Dynasties

○ Power Game Between Kashag Government and Living Buddhas in Tibet in the 20 th Century

○ The Origin and Ceremony of the Main Religious Festivals of Tibetan Buddhism

 

Dining: Breakfast

Hotels: Lhasa Songzan or St. Regis

 

Day 9 End of the trip

Drop off to Lhasa Airport by special bus, full of knowledge and memories, and end this in-depth cultural journey.

Dining: Breakfast

Hotel: None