The story goes that when Princess Wencheng, the Chinese bride-to-be of Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, was on her way to Lhasa in 640CE, a precious statue of Jowo Sakyamuni Buddha toppled off one of the carts in her entourage. A replica of the statue was carved on the spot where it landed and a temple built around it.
That replica is now in the hall on the right. The original, which is the most revered Buddha image in all of Tibet, is housed in Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple. Also make note of the beautiful 1000-armed Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara) in the hall to the left, and the impressive collection of over 100 chörtens (Tibetan stupas) behind the monastery.
You can also visit the Sakya Monastic School across the river; exit the monastery and walk straight down the main road, turn right at the police station, cross the bridge and walk another 800m. Monks in training sit face-to-face on cushions, debating Buddhist texts. In seven years, they will be able to join the others in Lhagang.
