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'''Tsozong'''

{{Infobox mountain
| name = Tsozong Gongba Monastery
| photo =
| photo_caption =
| elevation = 3,540 metres
| location = [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]] ([[People's Republic of China|China]]) 
| range = [[Himalaya|Assam Himalaya]]
| coordinates = {{coord|36|00|19|N|83|56|23|E|type:mountain}}
| first_ascent = 1040 Guru Rimpoché
| easiest_route = 300km WE->Lhasa; 41km off Sichuan-Tibet Hwy
}}

'''Tsozong Gongba Monastery''' (also Tsodzong or Tsomum, 1400 BC; meaning 'castle in a lake') is a small [[sacred]] chapel of the [[Nyingma]] (Red) tradition of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] (monks wear red hats- see the other two [[Red Hat Sect]]s)<ref>Tibet by Bradley Mayhew & Michael Kohn, Lonely Planet Publications, 2005, p.232.</ref>.  

[[File:Tsozong Protector.jpg|thumb|135px|left|Kongtsun Demo - The protector of [[Dharma]] - the stories which surround the life of [[Padmasambhava]] describe him as subduing the ancient pre-Buddhist gods ([[Bön]]<ref>The Bon Religion of Tibet by Per Kavǣrne, Shambhala, 1996</ref>) of Tibet, compelling them to watch over the [[Buddhist]] faith forever as ferocious [[Dharma]] protectors (Palas).]]


==In Sight==

Tsozong Gongba Monastery has four buildings situated around a small yard (two of the main building are shown below). 
<center>
<gallery>
Image:TsozongB1-wiki.jpg|Tsozong Gongba Monastery main building with the statues of Avalokiteśvara, Guru Rimpoché and Buddha (see next gallery below).
Image:TsozongB2-wiki.jpg|Tsozong Gongba Monastery auxiliary building with 3 'endless knots' above the door.
Image:TsozongIsland-wiki.jpg|Tashi Island in the middle of the Basum Tso Lake, behind is peak (6,200km).
</gallery>
</center>

==Symbolism==
[[Image:TsozongOm-wiki.jpg|thumb|180px|left|[[Om mani padme hum]] -variation of the six syllable [[mantra]] of [[Avalokiteshvara]]<ref>Tibet, Life, Myth, and Art by Michael Willis, Thorsons 2003, p.69</ref>. is inscribed in [[Tibetan script]]<ref>Tibetan Phrasebook by Sandup Tsering, Lonely Planet Publications, 2002, pp.15-17</ref> on this rock behind the main building.]]

Nyin-gma-pa Sect (also [[Nyingma]] (lit. 'Old Ones')<ref>The Buddhist Handbook by John Snelling, Barnes & Noble, NY, 1991, pp.176-7</ref> is believed to be founded by the indian ([[Tantric]]<ref>Tantra, The Path of Ecstasy by Georg Feuerstein, Shambhala, 1998</ref>) monk [[Padmasambhava]] himself (also called [[Guru]] Rimpoche<ref>Buddha, The Enlightened One by Gabriel Mandel Khan, Thunder Bay Press, 2000, p.85</ref>). [[Guru]] Rimpoché<ref>Guru Rimpoché, His Life and Times by Ngawang Zangpo, Snow Lion Publications, 2002</ref> is being regarded not merely as a manifestation of [[Avalokiteshvara]] (or Avalokiteśvara)<ref>Reading Buddhist Art by Meher McArthur, Thames & Hudson, 2002, p.43</ref> but as spiritual equal of [[Shakyamuni]] [[Buddha]]. By around 1040 Guru Rimpoché triumphed throughout [[Tibet]] and nearby territories, thanks to the monk [[Atisa]] (Atisha; 982-1054) and his deciple [[Milarepa]] (1040-1143). [[Nyingma]] Sect is believed to be the oldest branch of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] having a history of more then 700 years. The construction of the Tsozong Gongba Monastery was chaired by the Nyin-gma-pa monk Sungye Lingpa and is now home of few [[nun]]s.

<center>
<gallery>
Image:TsozongAVL2-wiki.jpg|Avalokiteshvara (or Avalokiteśvara, in Tibetan - Chenresig) - statue in the main building.
Image:TsozongRMP-wiki.jpg|Padmasambhava (or Guru Rimpoché) - statue in the main building.
Image:TsozongBDH-wiki.jpg|Buddha Shakyamuni (Sakya Thukpa) - statue in the main building.
</gallery>
</center>

The three statues (Chenresig, Guru Rimpoché and Sakya Thukpa, see above) were actualy shot and burned by the [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA) during the [[Cultural Revolution]], before being restored by the local [[lama]] Dudjom Rimpoche and his son Chuni Rimpoche (now resident of at [[Lamaling]] Monastery near [[Bayi]] town<ref>Tibet of China by An Caidan, China Intercontinental Press, 2003 ({{ISBN|7-5085-0374-0}}/K489), p.144</ref>, see the map on your left). A small 'kora' (ritual circumambulation circuit, see also [[Kora (pilgrimage)]]) around the monastery passes several hard-to-discern [[holy]] sites, including a [[Sky burial]] site, a 'body-print' of [[Gesar]].

== Directions ==

[[Image:TsozongMap.jpg|thumb|220px|left|Tsozong Gongba Monastery can be  reached via the Mila Pass with 16,500 feet above sea level. Zig-zagging the way over mountain passes one will ascend to over 4,450m driving over the Serkhyin La Pass. From the back of mongastery is revealed spectacular views of [[Namcha Barwa]], the highest peak in the East [[Himalayas]] (7782m).]]

Tsozong Gongba Monastery is located on the Tashi (in Chinese Zha-Xi/Tsa-Xi, 島心湖) Island in the middle of the [[Basum Tso Lake]] (aslo Baksum Tso, Draksum-tso) - Eastern Tibet’s largest [[freshwater]] lake. Because of the water's stunning [[jade]] green effect its meaning in Tibetan - "Phasongtso" is "green water" (Cuogao). The color is due to Songluo (lit. pine-vine). [[Basum Tso Lake]] lies about 50km east of Kongpo Gyamda County. The lake surface is on average about 3,538 meters above sea level and covers an area of 25.9 square kilometers, with a length of 12km and a few hundreds to a few thousands meters in width. The deepest part is about 60 (198 feet) meters deep.

== See also ==

* [[Aum]]
* [[Bön]]
* [[Dalai Lama]]
* [[Endless knot]]
* [[Lhasa]]
* [[Mantra]]
* [[Om mani padme hum]]
* [[Shakyamuni]]
* [[Shambhala]]
* [[Tibet]]
* [[Tibetan Buddhism]]
* [[Sanga Monastery]]
* [[List of Tibetan monasteries]]
* [[List of Buddhist temples]]

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'''Sanga Monastery'''

[[Image:Sanga60%-wiki.jpg|thumb|220px|left|Sanga (Sangha) Monastery - front view.]]
{{buddhism}}

'''Sanga Monastery''' is a small [[Tibetan Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[monastery]] located in the vicinity of [[Lhasa]], [[Tibet]]. Sanga or [[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangha]] is a word in [[Sanskrit]] that can be translated roughly as [[monastic]] "association" or "assembly" - possessing some high degree of realization, referred to as the ''[[Sravaka#Community_of_disciples|arya-sangha]]'' or noble sangha. Sanga Monastery was built amid the ruins of the castle (or fort) Taktse (also Dagtse) Dzong (formerly Dechen Dzong) on the hill top<ref>The Tibet Guide: Central and Western Tibet by Stephen Batchelor, Wisdom Publications, 1998, p.129</ref><ref>Trekking in Tibet: A Traveler's Guid by Gary McCue, Mountaineers Books, 1999, p.51</ref>. Dagtse Dzong overlooks the roads to [[Yerpa]] and [[Ganden Monastery]] on th east <ref>Footprint Tibet Handbook : The Travel Guide by Gyurme Dorje, Footprint Handbooks, 1999, p.68</ref><ref>Tibet by Bradley Mayhew & Michael Kohn, Lonely Planet Publications, 2005, p.122</ref>.

[[File:Sanga Monastery roof - Dhvarja.jpg|thumb|150px|left|At the roof of Sanga Monastery - Dhvarja (Skt., Rgyal-mtshan, Tib)<ref>A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 2003, p.13</ref> symbolizing Buddha's victory over all anger and aggression, on the backgroung the sky of Himalayas.]]

Sanga Monastery together with [[Ganden Monastery]] belong to the the [[Geluk]] (Gelug-pa) order (also known as Yellow Hat Sect, lit. 'Virtuous'). The Yellow Sect rose and prospered primarily because of the personal prestige of its founder [[Tsongkhapa]] (Tsong Khapa or Lobsang Drakpa, also known as Jé Rinpoché, 1357-1419) who is identified as manifestation of Mañjushri, [[bodhisattva]] of Wisdom. He earned a high reputation as a writer and teacher, and was later warmly received in the [[Lhasa]] region. He was strongly scholastic in orientation and encouraged the study of the great [[India]]n masters of [[philosophy]] and [[logic]]: [[Nagarjuna]], [[Asanga]], [[Dignaga]], ''et al''. In 1409 Tsongkhapa founded his first monastery, [[Ganden Monastery]]. The two other great monasteries were later founded, [[Drepung]] in 1416 and [[Sera]] in 1419. Several of his disciples were able to evolve in distinct school separate from [[Geluk]]. From those disciples also came the line of [[Dalai Lamas]] such as the 2nd [[Dalai Lama]] [[Gendun Gyatso]] (see the statue of His Holiness The Fifth [[Dalai Lama]] Lobsang Gyatso in Sanga Monastery on your left).

[[File:Lobsang Gyatso.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Sanga Monastery - His Holiness The Second [[Dalai Lama]] [[Gendun Gyatso]].]]

In the sixteen century the [[Geluk]]-school begun its rise to political preeminence when it came to enjoy the favor of a new generation of [[Mongol]] [[khans]]. In 1642, [[Gursi Khan]] installed Ngawang [[Lobsang Gyatso]] (1617-1682), the Fifth Dalai Lama, as virtual leader of [[Tibet]] under overall [[Mongol]] protection<ref>The Buddhist Handbook by John Snelling, Barnes & Noble, NY, 1991, pp.178</ref>. 

== See also ==
* [[Aum]]
* [[Dalai Lama]]
* [[Tsozong]]
* [[Lamaling]]
* [[List of Tibetan monasteries]]
* [[List of Buddhist temples]]
* [[Dhvaja]]
* [[Lhasa]]
* [[Shakyamuni]]
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'''Dhvaja'''

[[File:Dhvaja (pole with silk scarfs), overlooking Potala White Palace.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Dhvaja (Victory banner) - pole design with silk scarfs, on the background the [[Potala Palace]]]]

'''Dhvaja''' (Skt. also Dhwaja; Tib. rgyal-msthan), meaning banner or flag.
==Vedic outlook==
[[Vedic]] ([[Rigveda]]) sacrifices originated with a cosmic self-sacrifice of [[Purusha]] for the creation, maintenance and redemption of the entire universe. [[Purusha]] was called Yupa Dhvaja ('Stake-flagged') because the instrument of his cosmic sacrifice was a sacred cross or post ('Axis Mundi Yupa Stake' - simply Yupa), to which [[Purusha]] was fixed in the primal '[[Purusha Sukta]] Hymn'. Thus the developed [[Vedic]] sacrificial system, sacrificial victims were fixed to Yupa, in memory of Purusha's cosmic sacrifice. Dhvaja in the [[Brahman]]ic cults, takes on the appearance of a high column (dhvaja-stambha) erected in front of temples.

==Rama's twist==
[[File:Dhvaja, roof of Jokhang monastery.jpg|thumb|220px|left| Dhvaja ('victory banner'), on the roof of [[Jokhang]] Monastery.]]
* '''Dhvaja''' banner was a military standard of ancient Indian warfare.
In the epic book [[Ramayana]] the messenger, warrior and servant of [[Rama]] was [[Hanuman]] who had extraordinary skill in warfare and terror of [[Rakshasas]]. In a conflict with [[Ravana]] he accidentally set the island fortress [[Lanka]] on fire. In order to cool himself down, [[Hanuman]] jumped into the sea. A drop of his perspiration fell into the mouth of a great fish which gave birth to a mighty hero named Makara Dhvaja (also or Makar-Dhwaja; Magar Dhwaja; Makardhwaja). Makara Dhvaja is considered the son of [[Hanuman]]<ref>[http://www.dlshq.org/religions/hanuman.htm SRI HANUMAN by SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA, from the book "Essence of Ramayana"]</ref>.

== Buddha's realm==
[[File:Dhvaja, roof of Sanga monastery.jpg|thumb|220px|right| Dhvaja ('victory banner'), on the roof of [[Sanga Monastery]].]]

Makara Dhvaja has become latter an emblem of the [[Vedic]] god of love and desire - [[Kamadeva]]. As the 'tempter' (Skt. ''mara''), or 'deluder' (Skt. [[Maya (illusion)]]), [[Kamadeva]] was the [[Hindu]] counterpart of the Mara, the 'evil one', who attempted to obstruct the [[Buddha]] from attaining enlightenment. In early [[Buddhism]] the concept of Mara as a demonic obstructor to spiritual progress was presented as group of four 'maras' or 'evil influences'. As a symbol of the Buddha's victory over the four ''maras'', the early [[Buddhists]] adopted [[Kamadeva]]'s emblem of Makara Dhvaja (also ''makaradhvaja''), and four of those banners were erected in the cardinal directions surrounding the enlightenment [[stupa]] of the [[Tathagata]] or [[Buddha]].

==Tibetan architecture==
Within the [[Tibetan]] tradition a list of eleven different forms of the victory banner is given to represent eleven specific methods for overcoming defilements. Many variations of the dhvaja's design can be seen on the roofs of [[Tibetan]] monasteries to symbolyze the Buddha's victory over four maras. In its most traditional form the victory banner is fashioned as a cylindrical ensign mounted upon long wooden axel-pole. The top of the banner takes the form of a small white [[parasol]], which is surrounded by a cenntral wish granting gem. This domed [[parasol]] is rimmed by an ornate golden crest-bar with makara-trailed ends, from which hangs a billowing yellow or white [[silk]] scarf (see top right). As a hand held ensign the victory banner is an attribute of many [[deities]], particularly those associated with wealth and power, such as [[Vaisravana|Vaiśravaṇa]], the Great Guardian King of the north. As roof-mounted ensign the victory banners are cylinders usually made of beaten [[copper]] (technique similar to [[Toreutics]]) and are traditionally placed on the four corners of monastery and temple roofs. Those roof ornaments usually take the form of a small circular [[parasol]] surmounted by the wish-fulfilling gem, with four or eight makara heads at the parasol edge, supporting little silver bells (see the Jokhang Dhvaja on the left). A smaller victory banner fashioned on a beaten [[copper]] frame, hung with black silk, and surmounted by a flaming [[trident]] is also commonly displayed on the roofs (see the Dhvaja on the roof of the Potala Palace below).<ref>A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 2003, p.13</ref><ref>The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs by Robert Beer, Shambhala, 1999, p.180</ref>. 
<center>
<gallery>
File:Five Dhvajas, Potala White Palace.jpg|Five Dhvajas (Victory banners), on the roof of the [[Potala]] White Palace.
File:Dhvaja (trident with black silk), roof of Potala White Palace.jpg|Dhvaja (Victory banner) - trident design with black silk, roof of the [[Potala Palace]].
File:Dhvaja-PotalaV40%.jpg|Dhvaja (Victory banner), Roof of [[Potala Palace]].
</gallery>
</center>

== See also ==
* [[Aum]]
* [[Dalai Lama]]
* [[Potala Palace]]
* [[Tsozong]]
* [[Lamaling]]
* [[List of Tibetan monasteries]]
* [[Toreutics]]
* [[Lhasa]]
* [[Mantra]]
* [[Om mani padme hum]]
* [[Shakyamuni]]
* [[Shambhala]]
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'''Pearl Waterfall'''

[[Image:JiuzhaigoLakesS-wiki.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Jiuzhaigou Valley]] and its [[Tibetan]] logo.]]

'''Pearl Shoal Waterfall''' (珍珠滩瀑布), is located Aba-[[Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture]] in western [[Sichuan]] Province ([[China]]).

[[File:Pearl Shoals Waterfall 2005.jpg|thumb|150px|left|The Stone of Pearl Shoal Waterfall (珍珠滩瀑布).]]

Nine [[Tibetan]] villages are scattered across the valley, so it's called [[Jiuzhaigou Valley]], which means "Nine Stockade Valley". More than 100 lakes of different sizes and brilliant colors are scattered in the valley. The local [[Tibetan]] people call them "Haizi", meaning son of the sea (see the map on your  bottom-right). 

[[Image:TheRoad-to-Tibet-wiki.jpg|thumb|220px|left|The walkway of [[Jiuzhaigou Valley]] down to the Pearl Waterfall.]]

The Pearl Shoal Waterfall is lthe most beautiful site in Jiuzhaigou, with an altitude of 2,433 meters and a height of 21 meters. On the top of the waterfall, it measures 162.5 meters in width. With a fall of 40 meters, the [[waterfall]] has a shape of the crescent (see the photo on the bottom-left). 

[[Image:PearlWaterfall-Map.jpg|thumb|180px|right|[[Jiuzhaigou Valley]], map and location of Pearl Shoal Waterfall.]]

* [[Tibet]]'s rivers flow into the most populous regions of the world, supplying [[fresh water]] to a significant proportion of [[Asia]]'s [[population]]. Net [[hydrological]] flows in [[Tibet]] total 627 cubic km per year. This comprises roughly six per cent of Asia¹s annual runoff and 34 per cent of India's total river water resources. [[Tibet]] is [[China]]'s richest region in terms water resources. The availability of [[fresh water]] in [[Tibet]] - 104,500 cubic metres per year -- ranks fourth in the world after [[Iceland]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Canada]], and is 40,000 times higher than in [[China]]<ref>[http://www.tew.org Report:] TIBET 2000: Environment and Development Issues </ref>. There are 365 rivers in [[Tibet]] each with over 10,000 km of hydro capacity<ref>Tibet China - Travel Guide by An Caidan, China International Press, 2003, p13</ref>.

[[File:Pearl Shoal Waterfall 2005.jpg|thumb|220px|left|The Pearl Shoal Waterfall.]]

==See also==

* [[Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture]]
* [[Aba, Sichuan]]
* [[Tibetan people]]
* [[Qiang]]
* [[Tibet]]
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'''King Cypress'''

[[File:King Cypress rock.jpg|thumb|220px|right|King Cypress - rock sign, located near Bajie/[[Bayi]] (Nyingchi County)]]

'''King Cypress''' (genus [[Cupressus]], also known as Great Cypress, or as [[Tibetans]] call it “the God of Tree”) is a giant [[cypress]] tree in [[Tibet]] (about 50 meters high, 5.8 meters in diameter, 0.165 [[acre]] of crown-projection-area and calculated age of 2,600 years)<ref>[http://www.uga.edu/srel/cypress.htm The oldest Bald Cypress] is 1,400 years old</ref><ref>[[Callitropsis nootkatensis]] The oldest Nootka Cypress is 1,834 years old </ref>. King Cypress is located near the village of Bajie, about 7 kilometers from the town of [[Bayi]], [[Nyingchi]]. King Cypress is surrounded by at least 10 [[hectares]] of ancient cypress-trees with an average height of 44 meters. King Cypress is said to be the "life tree" of [[Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche|Tönpa Shenrab Miwoche]], founder of the [[Bön]] tradition of  [[Tibet]].

<center>
<gallery>
File:Cypress Valley Clouds.jpg|King Cypress valley of the lower reaches of the Yaluzhangbu River and the Niyang River at the latitude of 3,000 to 3,400 meters.
File:King Cypress Tree.jpg|King Cypress tree - the oldest tree in [[Tibet]] and pehaps [[China]].
File:Cypress Temple.jpg|'King Cypress Temple', from its balcony one could catch the giant King Cypress in single photo-frame see.
</gallery>
</center>

==The Cypress' people==
[[Image:BaiMa-wiki.jpg|thumb|180px|left|The 'guardian' of the King Cypress Temple, Bai Ma (local girl who may sing a [[Tibetan]] song to welcome the tourists.]]

In the movie - ''When Ruoma Was Seventeen''<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0398388/ ''Ruoma de shi qi sui''], 2002, (an official Selection of 2004's [[Philadelphia Film Festival]])]</ref>, the [[protagonist]]: 17-year-old Ruoma, is a [[Hani]] (Xjani) [[minority]] from the [[Yunnan]] province, the south-east neighbor of [[Tibet]]. The life of Ruoma was depicted to gravitate around the amusement of the tourists visiting [[Yunnan]]. At the King Cypress park, there are many girls like Ruoma. They sell [[Tibetan]] memorabilia. One of them is Bai Ma (see the picture on your left). Bai Ma's purity and beauty like the beautiful mountains and rivers that nurtured her (see the King Cypress valley on the top left), seems to have similar fate. Bai Ma's fate is bound to the visitors of King Cypress.

* From the dawn of time, [[China]]'s history is a story of an immense land with several diverse or unclassified nationalities numbering some 1,072,642 people. In 1949, an earnest effort to investigate and categorize [[minorities]] began. In the 1953 census, 41 [[minority]] nationalities were specified. In the 1964 census, there were 183 nationalities registered, among which the government recognized only 54. Of the remaining 129 nationalities, 74 were considered to be part of the officially recognized 54, while 23 were classified as "other nationalities" and the remaining 32 were classified as "indeterminate"<ref>[http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Minorities/index.html Chinese Nationalities]</ref>. A 55th ethnic group was added in 1979<ref>[http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/minority/minority.html Ethnic Minorities in China]</ref>.

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
* [[Ethnic minorities in China]]
* [[Philadelphia Film Festival]]
* [[Trees in mythology]]
* [[Axis mundi]]
* [[Tree of life]]

{{Ethnic groups in China}}
{{Asia topic|Ethnic groups in}}

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