Gyala Jokong — The Legend and Glory of a Millennium-Old Monastery, which also spelled as “Gyalak Jekong“
In a small village three kilometers northwest of Garze County, located in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, stands a historic Buddhist hall—Gyala Jokong. Its name translates to “Gyalak Shakyamuni Buddha Hall,” enshrining an ancient Buddha statue that has stood for over a thousand years, earning it the title of the “Jokhang Temple of the Kham region.” This monastery holds profound religious significance and is closely linked to the flourishing of the Tibetan Empire, as well as the harmonious relations between the Tang Dynasty and the Tubo Dynasty.
Gyala Jokong Origins
There are different accounts of Gyala Jokong’s origins.
Its history can be traced back to the 7th century, during the time of the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo’s marriage alliance with Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. As the princess traveled to Lhasa, she briefly rested in Garze. At that moment, the twelve-year-old life-sized Shakyamuni statue she carried suddenly became unusually heavy and immovable. Seeing this as a divine sign, she oversaw the construction of a temple on-site and commissioned artisans to craft an identical statue modeled after the Jowo Buddha—the life-sized twelve-year-old Shakyamuni statue she had brought with her. This newly sculpted statue was enshrined here to stabilize the land’s energy and bring peace, giving rise to what is now known as the Gyala Jokong Buddhist Hall.
It is believed that this statue carries the same spiritual power as the Jowo Buddha, bestowing infinite blessings upon devotees. The site soon became a significant pilgrimage destination for the people of Kham. However, the statue was not initially housed in a temple but was instead buried underground, only to be rediscovered centuries later.
In the year 760 AD, the great translator Vairotsana was in retreat at the Chodrak Cave south of Garze. While meditating, he saw a beam of golden light rising from the Gyala Plain.
Following the light, he excavated the site and uncovered the long-hidden statue from the era of Songtsen Gampo—an image identical to the Jowo Buddha in Jokhang Temple.
Recognizing its immense spiritual significance, Vairotsana consecrated the statue and oversaw the construction of a temple to house it, establishing the foundation of Gyalak Jekong.
As one of the “Seven Test Disciples” of Tibetan Buddhism and the foremost of the 108 great translators, Vairotsana, known as “Great Luminosity,” not only restored the statue to its rightful place but also imbued the monastery with an eternal spiritual legacy.
The Kagyu Tradition and Historical Changes
Beyond its connection to Princess Wencheng, Gyala Jokong is also deeply intertwined with the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The scriptures inscribed on the Mani stones outside the monastery confirm its Kagyu lineage.
In 1125 AD, the First Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa, took ordination here and entered retreat at the Vajra Seat of Gyala for three years, transforming the monastery into a vital center for the Kagyu tradition. Since then, Gyala Jokong has been revered as the “Vajra Seat of Gyala.”
However, history has not always been kind. Over the centuries, the monastery faced decline due to regional conflicts and warfare. Fortunately, the sacred relics—such as the stupa, the Shakyamuni statue, the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, and the protector deities—were preserved. Surrounding the site are 108 small stupas, each said to enshrine a prayer bead from Vairotsana, adding an air of mystery and reverence to the monastery.
Gyala Jokong Restoration and Revival
In modern times, Gyala Jokong has undergone multiple restorations.
In 1926, the Fourth Dordo Tulku, Jampa Rinchen, led a major renovation and held a grand consecration ceremony.
In 1984, the 10th Panchen Lama personally visited and bestowed his blessings upon the monastery.
In 2010, Kongsar Shanggen Rinpoche initiated another restoration, breathing new life into the millennium-old sacred site. To this day, the Shakyamuni statue left by Princess Wencheng is enshrined in the main hall. Adjacent to the temple stands a statue of Kongsar Shanggen Rinpoche, who once served as the Han Chinese abbot of Garze. He passed away two years ago and, following Tibetan Buddhist customs, receives daily offerings.
A Sacred Site Today
Stepping into Gyala Jokong, even before passing through its entrance, one can feel the weight of history. The temple offers self-service butter lamps, and visitors can freely make offerings to the acrylic Buddha statues. I once saw three young monks reverently lighting butter lamps and burning incense—their solemn devotion was deeply moving.
Inside the main hall, Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) murals and wooden panel paintings depict the spiritual journey of Milarepa, a central figure in the Kagyu lineage, attesting to the monastery’s profound cultural heritage.
Recent archaeological studies have shed further light on Gyala Jokong’s past. A fragment of an ancient rammed-earth wall nearby is believed to be the remains of a historic fortress, supporting the theory that this area was once a crucial station along the ancient Tang-Tubo (Tibet) trade route. The remnants of hot springs and way-stations suggest that this place was not only a center of religious activity but also a key hub for commerce and travel.
For 1,388 years, Gyala Jokong has stood as a testament to history, faith, and cultural convergence. It tells a story of harmony between Tubo Dynasty (Tibet) and the Tang Dynasty, a bridge between Tibetan and Han traditions. More than just a pilgrimage site, it is a luminous jewel in the river of time.
Regardless of how legend and history intertwine, this sacred hall continues to radiate an indescribable spiritual brilliance, waiting for every destined visitor to come and pay homage.
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