Nima Waixiang Temple

Introduction

Introduction

Nima Waixiang Temple is located in Nima Township, Maqu County. The founder of the temple is Ji Meiwangwu, the second generation Jiamu. According to records, the architect of the construction of the temple was the sixth Panchen Lama, Lobsang Huadan Yixi. At that time, when the 6th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Huadan Yixi, went to the mainland to preach Buddhism, he once said to the 2nd Panchen Lama, "In the past, the area ruled by Ling Gesar had already produced several generations of people. It is difficult to predict what will happen in the future. If a temple is built in the central area there, it seems to be very beneficial. I hope you can build a temple there. The Second Jiamuyang Living Buddha followed the teachings of the Panchen Lama and surveyed the temple site everywhere, believing that it was suitable to build a temple in the Saheer area of Maqu. After several twists and turns, in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the Xiangdi and Jixiang Changjing rituals were finally held in Shangxiazhalong. The following year, a group of monks gathered together, with Dorenba serving as Gegui and Gangcha Sonam Gyatso as the leader, and established Zhacang. Subsequently, a large scripture hall and fifteen monasteries were built. Inside the scripture hall, there are statues of Joyful Vajra, Tantra, and Mahavairocana Buddha. The reputation of the clay statues in the Buddhist hall of this temple is comparable to the precious sacred objects in the Grand Golden Tile Temple of Labrang Monastery. There are over 100000 Buddha statues of various sizes and about a thousand volumes of various scriptures. In addition, there are Buddha Shakyamuni's tin cane, Songtsen Gampo's boots, gifts given by Princess Wencheng, as well as fire prevention mantras written on yellow paper, Lotus Master's hat and monk's cloak, and so on

Gannan Nima Waixiang Temple, also known as Chagan Nima Waixiang Temple or Zhuogenima Waixiang Temple, is located in Sahe Village, Nima Town, Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It was founded in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1780) and is one of the Gelugpa Yellow Sect monasteries in Tibet. It is also one of the affiliated monasteries of Labrang Monastery. The temple covers an area of over 5000 square meters, facing north and south. There are currently buildings such as the Great Scripture Hall, the Protectorate Hall, the Jiacang Living Buddha Small Hall, and the Majulab Zhuang Buddha Hall

The temple was founded by Master Jia Muyang, the second generation of the Labrang Monastery. The master personally taught Shengle Vajrayana and established the Tantric Academy. Afterwards, Master Jia Muyang, the third generation, founded the Philosophy Academy.46. The Waixiang Temple still retains the traditional practice style of both manifest and secret cultivation. There are currently three living Buddhas, namely Jiakenbu Cang, Ziou Jiaoba Cang, and Zewei Shenba Wa. There are 136 monks and nearly 12000 believers. The temple also has one main scripture hall, two Buddhist halls, four shrines, and 68 monasteries. In addition, there is a footprint of the second Panchen Lama in the temple, known as the "treasure of the temple" of Waixiang Temple. On the cliff not far from Waixiang Temple, there is a naturally formed six character mantra for believers to worship. At the cliff mouth, there still exists the practice room of Master Gongtangcang, the sixth generation of Gongtangcang

The temple holds grand ceremonies and lively celebrations every year, during which Buddhist music and dance performances are performed.6. The main festivals include the mass dance festival "January Meeting" held on the 15th day of the first lunar month to wish for peace throughout the year; The "Niannai" Festival held on April 15th means the day of abstaining from food in order to experience the pain of hunger, live frugally, and have abundant clothing for eternal life; There are also grand ceremonies and dance performances in July and September

If you want to visit Gannan Nima Waixiang Temple, here are some suggestions:

• Transportation: You can choose to charter a car or drive there
• Visiting Time: It is recommended to visit during the day to better appreciate the architecture and scenery of the temple
• Precautions: Respect local religious beliefs and cultural customs, abide by temple regulations, and do not touch Buddha statues and cultural relics at will
  

Hope the above information is helpful to you

Gannan Nima Waixiang Temple Travel Guide:

Address: Sahe Village, Nima Town, Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province4

Opening hours: 08:30-18:00 (Monday Sunday, January 1st December 31st)1

Ticket: 30 yuan1

Highlights:

• Unique architectural style: The temple faces north and south, with existing buildings such as the Great Sutra Hall, the Protectorate Hall, the Jiacang Living Buddha Small Hall, and the Majulabu Zhuang Buddha Hall, which have a strong Tibetan * * style
• Profound religious and cultural heritage: As one of the Gelug Yellow Sect monasteries in Tibet, Nima Waixiang Monastery carries rich religious and cultural connotations, attracting numerous believers and tourists to come and visit
• Beautiful Natural Landscape: The surrounding environment of the temple is beautiful, and visitors can enjoy magnificent natural scenery, bringing a sense of tranquility and relaxation
• Cultural relics and precious heritage: The temple preserves many precious cultural relics and heritage, such as the works of masters such as Tsongkhapa and Gyatsje, as well as a large number of works by living Buddhas, Shakyamuni's tin cane, the footprints of the third year old living Buddha, Songtsen Gampo's boots, Princess Wencheng's bracelet, etc., which have important historical and cultural value

Visiting Route:

• Waixiang Temple Sutra Hall: This is one of the main buildings of the temple, which houses numerous Buddha statues and scriptures. Here, tourists can experience a solemn religious atmosphere and appreciate exquisite * * art
• Protectorate Hall: The Protectorate Hall is a place where the protector god is worshipped, and visitors can learn about the belief in protector gods in Tibetan Buddhism
• Jiacang Living Buddha Hall: Jiacang Living Buddha Hall is the residence of Living Buddha, where visitors can learn about the life and practice of Living Buddha
• Majulab Zhuang Buddha Hall: Majulab Zhuang Buddha Hall enshrines Majulab Zhuang Buddha statue, and visitors can feel the compassion and wisdom of * * here

Precautions:
Respect religious beliefs: When visiting a temple, respect the local religious beliefs and cultural customs, and abide by the temple's rules and etiquette

Avoid strenuous exercise: In high-altitude areas, it is important to avoid strenuous exercise to prevent altitude sickness. If you experience any physical discomfort, seek medical attention promptly

The above strategies are for reference only, and you can adjust and arrange them according to your own interests and time. Before traveling, it is recommended to understand the local weather and traffic conditions in advance to ensure a smooth and safe journey