Samye Monastery

Short in time... choosen to join 士嫔, 东措 roomie hop onto the pilgrim bus to Samye. It is the first monastery in Tibet, i.e. the birthplace of Tibetan Buddism.

Dispite Shannan, where the monastery is located, was the capital of Tibet, it looks more like a typical Chinese town.

Journey to the monastery took 4 hours each way... in which can see river + shadow of mountains.


Or to my surprise - desert, it is like back to XiJiang!!


Entrance


The "clockwise" ritual


Sidewall paintings


Living quarters


And elephant at entrance with some Hindu characteristics.


Towers at 4 corners



More backgrounds available at Wiki. Me need to read up more too...

The trip didn't end here but to the first pilgrim place & Tsongdu Monastery.