# 58 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College-Xiahe - Sacred Labrang Monastery

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe
May 1st 2007

Published: May 1st 2007

Xiahe is a small, but rapidly developing town in the SW of Gansu Province near the border with Qinghai. It is nestled in a beautiful mountain valley and is the location of famous Labrang Monastery. Labrang Monastery is second in size to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, so Xiahe is visited not only by increasing numbers of tourists but also by innumerable Tibetan pilgrims, many of whom have travelled v... Read Full Entry

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Susan Storr

Sue Treadie

This blog was started in 2006 when I embarked on a new life adventure teaching English in China. It was a wonderful, enriching and enlightening experience. Many of you came on this journey with me. For those of you who are searching for more meaning and satisfaction in your life and feel that teaching languages overseas might fit the bill, I enthusiastically encourage you to take up the challenge as I did nine years ago. You will never regret it. In fact you will probably say "Why didn't I do this years ago?" I then began a journal of my journey home to Australia- the long way round! U... full info

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Walking with the pilgrims

Part of the sacred kora along the top of the complex at the foot of Mt Phoenix. Pilgrims were curious but delighted I was joining them.

Pilgrims circumambulating

The act of walking around a sacred place in a clockwise direction.

Needs TLC

One of the colleges of study buildings that has not as yet been restored following damage during the Cultural Revolution.

Horn practice

The distinctive sound of these sacred horns (I think they are called hora or conch horns) drew me to a part of the complex that is still waiting to be renovated.

Loving the attention

These monks were characters and a bit mischievous. They were obviously used to the audience!

A matter of timing

The clapping is used to punctuate the conch horns but these young monks just couldn't get it quite right! The purpose (as with chanting sutras) is to summon up the benevolence of Chenrezig.

Cymbol practice

Otherwise known as "tingshas" these hand-sized double cymbols are used to punctuate certain prayers. Here young monks are put through their paces by their teacher.

Living quarters

There are extensive living quarters available not only for the 2000 monks but also other folk associated with the running of the monastery.

More pilgrims

Around and around they go.......

Stomping around the stupa

The Tibetan name is "chorten" meaning "basis of offering". It is a type of spiritual monument that represents the Buddha's body, speech and mind (particularly the mind) and usually contains holy relics.

Stupa just outside the monastery walls

Not all stupas/chortens are to be found within monastery walls. This one is located close to the hustle and bustle of one of the local markets.

Nun going about daily business

The monastery complex is like a busy small town. I was surprized by the number of nuns walking around, as the nunneries are not part of this complex.

The nunnery

Young nuns chat casually in the street prior to being called in for lunchtime prayers.

Head Nun leads the way into prayer

While wandering around the Tibetan village of Labrang on the western edge of town, I stumbled on one of the local nunneries. I actually came face-face with what I assumed was the head nun, sedately walking into prayer. Consequently, I had to be content with a "rear view", so to speak!

30th July 2007

Vicki English
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Fascinating as always!
Really enjoying the journey with you! Riveting as usual.... take care Chickybabe!! Vickster

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# 58 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College-Xiahe - Sacred Labrang Monastery

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