Norbulingka

“Norbulingka” means “treasure garden” in Tibetan and is located on the bank of the Lhasa River about 2 kilometers west of the Potala Palace.

It served as the summer palace for successive Dalai Lamas, with the Potala Palace serving as the winter palace.

Norbulingka was built in the 1740s (during the period of the seventh Dalai Lama). Norbulingka covers an area of 360,000 square meters. The main buildings are Kelsang Phodrang, Tsokyi Phodrang, Golden Phodrang, Xia Dian Lhakang, Dadan Mingjiu Phozhang (New Palace), with 374 rooms, is the largest man-made garden in Tibet and has the most historic sites.

Since the 7^th Dalai Lama, each Dalai Lama studied, practiced Buddhism, and handled administrative tasks here before assuming full political duties. They would spend their summers here after taking on political responsibilities.

Brief

Before 1740, Norbulingka was a wasteland infested with wild beasts and overgrown with dwarf willows and weeds. Later, because the seventh Dalai Lama loved this place and often came here, the minister of the Qing Dynasty in Tibet built a pavilion called “Wuyao Phodrang” for him.

In 1751 AD, the seventh Dalai Lama built a three-story palace named after himself “Kelsang Phodrang” on the east side of Wuyao Phodrang, which included a Buddhist hall, a reading room, and a bedroom, Dharma Protector Shrine, etc., which have since been used by successive Dalai Lamas as a place for summer offices and meetings with Tibetan monks and lay officials.

In 1784 AD, on this basis, the eighth Dalai Lama expanded Qiabaikang (reading room), Kangsong Silun, and Quran (lecture hall), and excavated the original pond into a lake. According to the style of Han-style pavilions, Lukang and Tsogye Phozhang (Lake Center Pavilion) were built in the center of the lake, with stone bridges erected on both sides.

In 1922, the 13^th Dalai Lama built the Golden Linka and the three-story Golden Phodrang in the west of Norbulingka, and planted many flowers, plants and trees.

In 1954, the 14th Dalai Lama built Daden Mingjiu Phozhang (New Palace) in the north of Norbulingka, completing the layout of Norbulingka as its current scale.

Before 1959, Norbulingka had gates on all four sides, of which the gate on the east was the main gate.

After 1959, the People’s Government renovated Norbulingka and opened it to the public as a “People’s Park”

In 1988, “Norbulingka” was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit.

In 2001, “Norbulingka” was listed as a World Heritage Site as an expansion project of the historical building complex of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

On August 23, 2009, the Norbulingka (as well as the three key cultural relics of the Potala Palace and Sakya Monastery) maintenance project, which lasted 7 years and had a total investment of 380 million yuan, was officially completed. During this maintenance project, All ancient buildings and murals in the six major palace areas including Norbulingka Gelsang Phodrang and others have been repaired.

Architecture

The main buildings of Norbulingka are divided into five parts. The main buildings of each part are Kalsang Phodrang, Tsogyi Phodrang, Trudzing Phodrang, Shabten Lhakhang, Takten Migyur Phodrang (New Palace).

Kalsang Phodrang

The architectural complex mainly consists of buildings such as Wuyao Phodrang, Kelsang Phodrang, Quezha, Quran, Kangsong Silun

Wuyao Phozhang: the first building of Norbulingka, facing south and two stories high. The first floor is with small windows for ventilation; the second floor is 9.3 meters long from east to west and 5.8 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of nearly 54 square meters, with 2 columns and a very small scale, with 6 rooms.

Kelsang Phodrang: Located on the east side of Wuyao Phodrang, it was built by the seventh Dalai Lama in 1751 AD. It is three stories high. The surrounding walls are made of square stones. The top of the stone wall is piled with several feet of Bema grass. The surface of the floor is alternately decorated with patterns of gilded eight auspicious symbols. There are 12 columns in the outer corridor in front of Kelsang Phozhang Gate, which was where monks and lay officials waited for the Dalai Lama to summon in the past. There is an annex with 4 columns in the southeast corner in front of the gate, which was originally where the Dalai Lama’s sedan was laid out.

The main hall of Kelsang Phodrang: 16.8 meters long from east to west, 12.4 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of 208 square meters, with 30 pillars (decorated with pillar robes); in the center of the main hall is the throne of the seventh Dalai Lama, with wood carvings on the platform behind the seat. The large cabinet houses Buddha statues; nearly a hundred thangkas are hung on the walls of the main hall, most of which are Tara, Dharma protectors, etc.

The second floor of Kelsang Phozhang: it is the Hall of 16 Arhats, with two pillars. There is a cabinet in the hall. A bronze statue of Sakyamuni is enshrined in the cabinet, and bronze statues of 16 Arhats are enshrined on the left and right of the cabinet. The shelves on the sides contain 12 volumes of Tsongkhapa’s writings; The walls are painted with murals depicting the life stories of Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Detsen, and other Tibetan kings, as well as the Three Principal Aspects of the Path (i.e. Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani). The inner room houses a six-armed guardian deity “Gongbu Chachu” sculpted by the 8th Dalai Lama, with murals on the walls depicting the Seven Jewels and the chariot of the Shambhala army. The bedroom on the second floor, called “Tusang Gakki,” is where the Dalai Lamas of the past practiced Buddhism, furnished with a bed and daily necessities, with murals depicting Shakyamuni Buddha and other sacred figures.

The third floor of Kelsang Phozhang: one bedroom, about 18 meters wide and 18 meters in depth, was expanded during the period of the 13th Dalai Lama. There is a large wooden Buddhist cabinet in the room, which houses bronze statues of Kalachakra, Wrathful Vajra and other Dharma protectors. The walls are painted with murals such as Amitayus Buddha.

Chodra: Located 30 meters southeast of Kelsang Phozhang, used for the Dalai Lama’s study and reading, built by the 8th Dalai Lama.

Quran: Located 80 meters north of Kelsang Phodrang, a single-story flat-roofed building used as a debating and teaching hall for the senior lamas, built by the 8th Dalai Lama.

Kangsung Silun: Located 70 meters northeast of Kelsang Phozhang, it is a two-story pavilion building with a Chinese-style golden roof. The lower floor is the aisle and the upper floor is the Dalai Lama’s theater. In the mid-20th century, it was built when Reting Tuden Yangpal Yeshe Denpa Gyaltsen served as regent.

“Kangsong Silun” is the most eye-catching pavilion on the front. It was originally a small Chinese-style wooden pavilion. It was later converted into a theater building. An open space for performances was added to the east side, specially for the Dalai Lama to watch the opera. Next to “Kangsongsi Lun” is Xia Dian Lakang, which is a place for religious ceremonies. On the north side of “Kangsongsi Lun” are Kashag’s offices and conference rooms. Every summer, many Kashag government agencies in the Potala Palace move to Norbulingka with the Dalai Lama.

Tsogyi Phodrang

Tsogyi Phodrang (also known as “Lake Center Pavilion” or “Lake Center Palace”) is located 120 meters northwest of Kelsang Phodrang. The layout of the Tsogyi Phodrang is very unique. It is in a large rectangular pool, divided into three from north to south. It is a square island with stone railings around the island and the bank of the pool.

The architectural complex with Tsogyi Phozhang as the main body includes Tsogyi Phozhang (Lake Center Pavilion), Lukang (Loong Pavilion), Lukang Sha (East Loong Pavilion), Chunzeng Phozhang, Inner Stables.

Tsogyi Phodrang is the central building of the eastern of Norbulingka and was built during the period of the eighth Dalai Lama. The living Buddha Tsemonling, who was in charge of business affairs, was responsible for the construction.

The building features a Han-style structure with a hip-and-gable roof, with corners adorned with mythical animal ornaments, a yellow-glazed roof, and open corridors surrounding the hall. There is a stone bridge on the east side of the hall. The hall is 11 meters long from east to west, 10 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of 110 square meters, housing the Dalai Lama’s throne, ritual implements, and more.

Lukang (Loong Pavilion): Located at the northern end of Tsogyi Phozhang, it is a pavilion-style building with a square plane. It is surrounded by corridors with ten pillars. There is a statue of God Loong inside, and the walls are painted with murals such as the biography of King Gesar, Jetsun Mira and God Loong.

Every year on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar, a Dharma assembly is held here, and rituals such as mopping of the head are performed.

Lukang sha (East Loong Pavilion): Located 50 meters east of Tsogyi Phozhang, it is a place where sacrificial vessels are stored for worshiping God Loong, and it is also a temple dedicated to God Loong.

Chunzeng Phodrang: Located 30 meters west of Tsogyi Phodrang, it is a Tibetan-style two-story building, facing east. The main hall is 12.5 meters long, 8.8 meters wide, covers an area of 110 square meters, and has 12 columns; This hall mainly houses the clay statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the three longevity statues (Amitayus Buddha, Usnisa vijaya, and White Tara) in silver, and the bronze statue of Amitayus Buddha. Scriptures racks are placed around the hall to hold scrolls and other books.

The second floor houses the Dalai Lama’s bedroom, which is 12 meters wide and 18 meters deep. It contains the Dalai Lama’s bed, ritual utensils, etc.; the walls are painted with various murals of Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors, etc. This Phozhang served as reading room of all Dalai Lamas and the central place for the practice of the 13th Dalai Lama.

Inner stables: Located 85 meters southwest of Tsogyi Phodrang, it is a closed courtyard mainly used to feed the horses of the Dalai Lama and his entourage. The inner stable is 28 meters wide from east to west, 48 meters long from north to south, and covers an area of 1,344 square meters. The walls are decorated with continuous narrative paintings depicting myths and legends related to horses, including breeding and training.

At the northern end of the stables, there is a two-story Tibetan-style building, with the lower level serving as the stableman’s residence and the upper floor as a resting place for the Dalai Lama before horseback travel.

Trudzing Phodrang

The architectural complex is primarily gold in color, including Trudzing Phodrang, Gelsang Degyi, and Chomin Choggye.

Trudzing Phodrang: Located at the west end of Norbuling, it is three stories high and was built in 1922. Each wall of Trudzing Phodrang is painted with murals, which are mainly biographies and portraits of religious figures, and also Chinese-style panoramic views of Mount Wutai and Mount Wanshou, as well as patterns such as fortune, wealth, longevity, and happiness. The roof of the hall is decorated with yak tail pillars and eight auspicious patterns.

The first floor of the Trudzing Phozhang: There is the main hall, 22.8 meters long from east to west, 18.5 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of 421.8 square meters, with 4 long columns and 22 short columns, and the columns are decorated with fine reliefs. In the center of the north side of this hall, there is the throne of the 13th Dalai Lama, which houses the silver statue of the Dalai Lama as the main deity, while the two Buddha cabinets on the two sides house eight bronze statues of the Amitayus Buddha.

The second floor of the Trudzing Phozhang: There is the Dalai Lama’s bedroom named “Rabshe Palsang Tokyi”, adorned with murals on the four walls such as Bodhisattva, Hayagriva, and Jamyang Langka Resa.

The third floor of the Trudzing Phozhang: known as “Sibabai Ba,” which has an area of ​​4 columns, features a central wooden Buddha cabinet containing a seated statue of the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara, along with murals depicting the Dalai Lama among others.

Gelsang Degyi: Located 60 meters west of the Trudzing Phodrang, it is a two stories building. Built in 1926. The east suite on the lower floor is a gold and silver storehouse; the west outer room is 10.4 meters long, 9.4 meters wide, and covers an area of 97.76 square meters, which contains 4 columns and is a storehouse. The upper floor is the Tantric practice room of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, which houses the statue of Hayagriva with Consort and Vajradhara, as well as murals depicting sacred places like Ganden and Mount Putuo.

Chomin Choggye: located 10 meters south of Gelsang Degyi. It is the meditation room built by the 13th Dalai Lama for himself. A single-story flat-roofed Tibetan-style building with an area of 9 columns and 6 rooms. The 13th Dalai Lama used this place as his living room in his later years until his passing.

Shabten Lhakhang

Shabten Lhakhang is located 220 meters northeast of Kalsang Phodrang with two floors. The main hall on the lower floor is 20.5 meters long from east to west, 13.5 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of 277 square meters and 24 columns;

The rear hall covers an area of 93 square meters, with 4 pillars. It mainly houses the silver statue of Amitayus Buddha. To the north, there is a clay sculpture snow mountain meditation cave. The Buddhist cabinet on the upper floor houses bronze statues of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, White Tara, and the Thirteenth Dalai Lama.

Shabten Lhakhang is primarily used as a ritual place for chanting sutras and conducting rituals for blessings and disaster prevention.

Other buildings: On the west side of Shabten Lhakhang, there are the offices and conference rooms of Kashag regime, as well as the offices and conference rooms of “Yi-cang”, etc.

Takten Migyur Phodrang

Takten Migyur Phodrang is located 210 meters north of Kalsang Phodrang, with a height of two stories.

Built in 1954. In Tibetan, “Takten Migyur Phodrang” means “Palace of Eternal Unchanging”. Due to its relatively recent construction, it is commonly known as the “New Palace”.

Upon climbing the steps, a pair of tiger skin whips hang on both sides of the main gate, symbolizing authority.

The first floor of Takten Migyur Phodrang features painted murals of lions and tigers on both sides of the corridor. In the southeast corner of the ground floor, there is a room measuring 8 meters with 4 internal pillars, a Buddhist altar on the north side containing a bronze statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva, flanked by 8 bronze statues of Sakyamuni; the room is furnished with European-style sofas, serving as the Dalai Lama’s living room. The southwest corner of the living room is the Dalai Lama’s resting area, and the north end houses a storage room.

The second floor of Takten Migyur Phodrang, known as the “Sishi Duixi” scripture hall, covers an area of 4 columns, with the Dalai Lama’s throne in the center and a silver statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in the altar. The west wall depicts the origin of the Tibetan people, the rise and fall of the Tubo Dynasty, as well as the successive rise of various Tibetan Buddhist sects such as the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug, and others from the 9th to the 14th century, along with the biographies of the Dalai Lamas. Additionally, there are 301 murals depicting the development of the monasteries and the formation process of various sects.

Togu Pentso

It is the office where the Dalai Lama handles major political and religious affairs. There is a couch for the Dalai Lama to sit on. The wooden Buddha cabinet on the north wall enshrines the bronze statues of Atisa, Drom Tonpa. The murals are Tsongkhapa and his eight disciples.

To the east,there is the room where the Dalai Lama met his parents, with a bed inside. The white sandalwood carved Buddhist cabinet on the north wall enshrines Sakyamuni, the Six Ornaments (i.e,: Nagarjuna, Asanga, Aryadeva, Vasubandhu, Dignaga, and Dharmakirti), Atisha, Milarepa and other white sandalwoods carvings.

The southeast side of the second floor is the Dalai Lama’s reception room, furnished with French-style sofas. Inside a wooden Buddha cabinet, there is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha carved from sandalwood, with 16 Arhats carved from sandalwood on both sides.