Centuries-Old Buddhist Texts at Sakya Monastery to be Relocated During Renovation
The 80,000 volume collection of centuries-old texts at Sakya Monastery will be moved to another location temporarily, according to an August 17 Xinhua report. The texts will be handled carefully under the close watch of Sakya's monks, according to the same report. Each person handling the volumes will be required to sign a log, even though the storage facility is 250 feet from the monastery's main hall. Tibetan worshippers consider the chance to walk through the chamber behind the main altar, where the texts are kept in 30-foot high racks in near darkness, to be of profound religious significance.
The 80,000 volume collection of centuries-old texts at Sakya Monastery will be moved to another location temporarily, according to an August 17 Xinhua report. The texts will be handled carefully under the close watch of Sakya's monks, according to the same report. Each person handling the volumes will be required to sign a log, even though the storage facility is 250 feet from the monastery's main hall. Tibetan worshippers consider the chance to walk through the chamber behind the main altar, where the texts are kept in 30-foot high racks in near darkness, to be of profound religious significance.
Sakya Monastery, located nearly 300 miles west of Lhasa, was founded in the 11th century and is the seat of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The texts are the largest surviving collection in the Tibetan areas of China, and one of the finest anywhere in Asia, according to experts. Most Tibetan Buddhist scripture and art was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. It is said that Sakya Monastery and its library were spared at the behest of Premier Zhou Enlai.
Tibetan people and Chinese officials portray Sakya Monastery's important role in history differently. Thirteenth century Sakya teachers are credited with converting Mongol Khans to Buddhism and establishing the "priest-patron" relationship. In exchange for the patronage of Mongol leaders, Tibetan lamas taught them Buddhism. The Chinese government claims that the relationship established Chinese sovereignty over Tibetan territory, but many Tibetans contend that the arrangement was one of mutual advantage, not of Tibetan administrative subordination to China.
The Dalai Lama is seeking a solution to the issue that is based on accepting autonomy for Tibetan areas within China. His representatives have met with Chinese officials four times since 2002 in an effort to narrow the divide between Tibetan and Chinese views. More information about the dialogue is available in the CECC 2004 Annual Report.