East-West Question丨Xiang Zhi Dorje- Why is this Tibetan Buddhist temple known as -Dunhuang in the Snow Land–

**Interviewer:** What similarities exist between Sakya Monastery and Dunhuang, as Sakya is often referred to as the “Dunhuang of the Snowy Region”?

**Xiang Zhiduojie:** Sakya Monastery, located in Sakya County of Shigatse, Tibet, is built on both sides of the Zhongqu River and consists of the North and South Sakya temples. It is one of the four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Kun Gonjuejieb in 1073. The name “Sakya” translates to “gray-white soil” in Tibetan. Unlike other Tibetan Buddhist temples, which often feature red, white, and yellow walls, Sakya Monastery is distinguished by its red, white, and dark blue wall colors, which fade to a deep gray over time. A significant historical event occurred in 1244 when one of the most important meetings, the “Liangzhou Conference,” took place between Sakya Pandita Gongga Janzan, his nephew Batu Shaba, and Kublai Khan, marking Tibet’s official incorporation into the central government’s administration. Consequently, Sakya Monastery became the political, economic, and cultural center of Tibet.

Over the time of the Yuan Dynasty, Sakya Monastery accumulated a vast array of invaluable cultural relics as central government officials were sent to manage Tibet. These include imperial awards, seals, weapons, and a wealth of literature covering various fields—over 40,000 works related to history, religion, culture, philosophy, and more. This rich accumulation is what leads many to compare Sakya Monastery to Dunhuang, dubbing it the “Second Dunhuang” or the “Dunhuang of the Snowy Region.”

Both Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves and Sakya Monastery are invaluable treasures of Chinese cultural heritage, possessing distinct characteristics while being interconnected. For instance, while the opening of the Mogao Caves spans from the Sixteen Kingdoms to the Yuan Dynasty, lasting nearly a thousand years, Sakya Monastery has a nearly thousand-year history itself. Furthermore, Sakya Monastery continues the historical and cultural lineage found in the Mogao Caves and has remained vibrant through the protection and transmission by local communities.

**Interviewer:** How do the precious artifacts represented by the “Four Great Walls” of Sakya Monastery demonstrate the exchange of civilizations?

**Xiang Zhiduojie:** Sakya Monastery serves as one of the significant carriers of traditional Chinese culture, depicting the integration of various ethnic cultures. It houses numerous artifacts that can be categorized into the “Four Great Walls”: the Scripture Wall, Porcelain Wall, Mural Wall, and Statue Wall.

The Scripture Wall features extensive collections, including works like the “Kanjur” and “Tanjur,” with thousands of Buddhist texts dating back to the Yuan Dynasty and earlier housed within the main hall. Under Batu Shaba’s leadership, artists and scribes from across Tibet produced exquisite copies of these texts, which include some of the best-known Buddhist scriptures.

The Porcelain Wall predominantly showcases artifacts from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, including rare pieces like the high-footed “Mandarin Duck Bowl,” gifted to Sakya officials by successive emperors.

The Mural Wall is rich in content covering religious, historical, cultural, and social aspects, featuring elements such as Buddhist teachings and historical events, notably priceless murals dating back to the Yuan Dynasty depicting key figures and moments in Sakya’s history. These artworks reveal the close ties and exchanges between Tibet and the mainland.

Lastly, the Statue Wall holds movable and immovable Buddha statues, with many classified as first-class cultural relics. Among these are exquisite statues, including those given by Zhu Yuanzhang during the Ming Dynasty.

In conclusion, historically, Sakya Monastery acted as a crucial hub connecting Tibet to South Asia and was a pivotal site for cultural exchanges among Chinese ethnic groups. The artifacts housed there reflect the continuous cultural interplay and fusion among various regional cultures, reinforcing the idea of a diverse yet unified Chinese civilization. The “Four Great Walls” encapsulate a wealth of historical legacy and cultural heritage, highlighting a shared cultural identity and historical memory between ethnic Han and Tibetan communities.

**Interviewer:** How does Sakya Monastery reflect the history of ethnic interaction and integration?

**Xiang Zhiduojie:** Tibetan Buddhism is a unique product of the sinicization of Buddhism, having evolved as it integrated with the local environment, Bön religion, and cultural practices upon its introduction to the Tibetan Plateau. The rich connotations of Tibetan Buddhism emerged through interactions among various ethnicities.

Since the Yuan Dynasty, Tibetan Buddhism flourished significantly. With support from Kublai Khan, Sakya South Temple was built on the southern bank of the Zhongqu River, leading to the recruitment of a diverse range of artisans from Han and Mongolian backgrounds. Their collaborative efforts resulted in the construction of this grand edifice, showcasing a blend of Tibetan, Mongolian, and Han architectural styles.

One of the most noteworthy features of the main hall is the “Kublai Khan Pillar,” the thickest pillar, symbolically referred to as “Golden Pillar from Han Lands,” believed to have been gifted by Kublai Khan himself. The Sakya sect rapidly gained power in western Tibet, even receiving assistance from the Yuan military in constructing the monastery, which became the tallest monastery of its time.

Additionally, a prized conch shell at Sakya, reputedly used by the Buddha during teachings, embodies the historical ties between China and South Asia. Gifted by Kublai Khan to Batu Shaba, it holds significant spiritual value among Tibetan Buddhists.

In 1288, Zhao Xian, the seventh emperor of the Southern Song, became a monk at Sakya, integrating Han culture into Tibetan society through his extensive studies and translations of texts. His translations contributed to Tibetan scholarship and fostered cultural exchange, illustrating the historical connections between Tibet and the mainland long before the formal integration of Tibetan political structure within the larger multi-ethnic framework of China.

**Interviewer:** As Sakya Monastery is considered the “Second Dunhuang,” what lessons can it learn from Dunhuang in terms of preservation and revitalization of cultural relics?

**Xiang Zhiduojie:** Following the completion of a significant renovation project in 2002, which cost 86.6 million RMB, Sakya Monastery has effectively preserved its artifacts and texts. Moving forward, it’s critical to maintain protection as the primary focus. This involves enhancing both active and preventive measures while ensuring the safety of the relics, optimizing the use of these valuable resources, and increasing research efforts to fully realize the cultural significance of what we have.

Dunhuang Research Institute has effectively utilized advanced digital techniques to create digital archives. With Sakya Monastery housing an extensive collection of texts and artifacts, enhancing digital preservation is essential. By ensuring the safety of these cultural relics and accelerating digital initiatives, we can lay a strong foundation for future protection and research, allowing wider access for researchers and visitors to engage with and study these artifacts.

Through these digital efforts, Sakya Monastery and Dunhuang can better connect, making both preservation and utilization more effective.