25/05/2026
JOWU LOKESHVARA,THE MAIN NANGTEN OF POTALA PALACE
Phakpa Lhakhang is the holiest shrine in the Potala Palace, constructed during the Seventh century under the reign of Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Located on the eighth floor of the northern side of the Red Palace, it is one of the oldest structures within the Potala complex. The chapel enshrines a naturally formed sandalwood statue of Avalokiteshvara, the primary sacred image of the Potala Palace, revered in Tibetan language as "Phakpa Lokeshvara". To the left of the main statue stands a statue of Avalokiteshvara crafted during the era of the Seventh Dalai Lama, while to the right is a statue made of alloyed copper created under the Eighth Dalai Lama .
The chapel also houses statues of Tsongkhapa, the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and Thirteenth Dalai Lamas, along with eight silver stupas symbolizing the Eight Parinirvanas, eight red sandalwood statues of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, an alloyed copper statue of Tara Saving from the Eight Perils, and a large gilded copper Dharma Wheel.
Above the center of the doorframe hangs a golden plaque inscribed with the words "Field of Merit and Sublime Fruition," penned by the Tongzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. The plaque bears the square seal of the Tongzhi Emperor at the top, while translations in Tibetan, Mongolian, and Manchu are inscribed on the left, right, and bottom respectively.
