The spirit of Buddhism

Superbly perched high on a 100-meter hill overlooking the city, the Potala Palace is beyond impressive. This magnificent burgundy and white palace immediately catches the eyes of any first time visitor and is the pride of the people of Lhasa. From far and near, the building does not show its age. And yet, it was built in the seventh century, during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd king of Tubo, which later became Tibet. An architectural masterpiece comprising 2,000 rooms, this palace has been part of the historical heritage under the national protection. It has now been turned into a museum run by Buddhist clerics. It receives an average of 5,000 visitors per day in summer, autumn and spring. In winter, this figure falls to 1,000. Waves of visitors flock to the site. In small groups, we visit the building following our guide.

Stuck in the city 5 km away is another Buddhist temple, with striking colors and architecture. This is the Jokhang Monastery. Around the building, the faithful come to pray night and day. According to authorities, Buddhism is still the main religion in Tibet. Over 92 percent of the Tibetan population are Buddhists, which was imported from India 12 centuries ago. Carved or crafted items representing the Buddha can often be seen in shops and other offices, where they receive the prayers of the faithful. In most shops in the city, one can find monk robes and other Buddhist regalia. However, Buddhism is not imposed on Tibet. Everyone is free to choose his or her religion.