Shannan, which is Shan Zhinan, is a large fertile land south of Nyainqentanglha Mountain and Gangdise Mountain. Because of its relatively low altitude, mild climate and abundant precipitation, it has become a granary in Tibet. The Yarlung Zangbo River runs through the south and middle of the mountain. Like an enlightened monk, Yajiang has many incarnations. It is raging in Shigatse, passing through Renbu to Nimu, with steep mountains on both sides and narrow rivers, and the scenery overshadows the world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It is turbulent and ups and downs in Linzhi area. Apart from the Grand Canyon, the Yajiang River in Linzhi is as vast as the Dongting, and its water potential is leaping and the turbid waves are emptying, which is unparalleled. Only in Shannan region, Yajiang spends most of his time relaxing Schumann, and his impatience disappears without a trace. In Shigatse and Yajiang in Linzhi, there are wonderful works that are suitable for concocting landscapes; In Yajiang, Shannan, he has his own spiritual wisdom and is better at creating culture. If we only go to Mount Everest and Linzhi to see the scenery, and don't come to Shannan to learn some culture, then we will have a good intention of being negative to Yajiang.
zedang is the seat of Shannan administrative office. Shannan in a narrow sense refers to Zedang, which is sometimes called Naidong. Zedang is the "Garden of Eden" of Tibetans. It is in this humble place that the Tibetan people "created the Genesis". The Tibetan legends about the origin of human beings are worthy of anthropologists' attention. In my opinion, among the legends of human origin of all nationalities in the world, the Tibetan story is the most scientific and the closest to the truth.
Europeans say that man is made of mud by God. He pinched an Adam, and then pulled out a rib from Adam to make Eve. As long as you are not mentally retarded, everyone knows that this is pure nonsense. The cleverness of the Han people is that they can play dumb. They keep clamoring about Pangu's creation of heaven and earth and The goddess patching the sky, but they don't know how people came, as if heaven and earth are all open, and they don't worry about not getting people. Later, Darwin studied the evolution of human beings and came to a great conclusion that the ancestors of human beings were monkeys. Although there are some objections, they are basically widely recognized by people of all ethnic groups, colors and continents all over the world. In fact, it was the Tibetan people who first thought that the origin of human beings was related to monkeys. Moreover, what they said is more vivid, concrete and credible than Mr. Darwin.
Now let's listen to the story told by our Tibetan compatriots. Long, long ago, a handsome monkey was practicing, only to be seen by a witch in Luo Cha. The witch is in adolescence, and when she sees the handsome monkey, she can't help flirting with the monkey. The handsome monkey practiced for many years and was unmoved for a while. At that time, there were many wild animals in the forest, so the witch thought that the lion was too selfish and only thought about his own throne; Black bears are too ugly to be interesting; Wild boar snores loudly and can't sleep at night; The tiger is too fierce, afraid that he can't stand it; The jackal has no self-cultivation and is afraid of domestic violence; The rabbit is too short, and can't stand her own ordeal ... After thinking about it, her favorite is the monkey. What is annoying is that the monkey actually wants to practice, making him look like a bear. The witch is not a vegetarian. She revolves around the handsome monkey all the time. Monkeys used to be lewd, but they couldn't stand the witch's soft grinding and hard foam. When the witch turned to the seventh day, the handsome monkey's practice for several years was destroyed. In order to marry a witch, he went on a long trip and got a marriage certificate from Guanyin in Putuo Mountain. The witch soon became pregnant. To her surprise and that of the handsome monkey, what she gave birth to was neither like a monkey nor a demon. Except for her hair, she had no hair on her body and her face was red. This is the original "person".
Why do I say that Tibetan legends about the origin of human beings are closest to the truth? There are three reasons. First, as mentioned above, Tibetans first saw the inheritance relationship between man and monkey. Secondly, Tibetans are the first to understand eugenics. The hybrid of monkeys and witches gave birth to human beings, and this imagination is full of the light of science and wisdom. Darwin's theory of evolution says that man changed from a monkey. First, he walked upright, and then what. All this may be true, but in the long process of becoming a human, isn't there a little romantic external force to help monkeys? For example, monkeys have accelerated the progress from crawling on all fours to walking upright after crossing with an animal, or suddenly shed their thick body hair. I think it's entirely possible. Thirdly, Tibetan legends about the origin of human beings have the bud of ethics. The theory that God created man gives God too much power. He wants to create it, he can take a rib if he wants, and he wants to drive Adam and Eve away from the Garden of Eden. This fiction is too obvious and unreasonable. In Tibetan legends, monkeys have to go far to Wan Li and ask Guanyin's permission to marry witches. I dare say that this gender culture was absolutely the most advanced at that time.
This legend also reveals three things about Tibetans. First, Tibetans are a wise people, and their culture is as profound as Han nationality. Second, Tibetans are a rigorous and orderly nation; Third, Tibetans are born to be a nation with strong beliefs.
Yongbulakang is the symbol of Shannan, just as Potala Palace is the symbol of Lhasa. When Qiu Lin, director of Shannan Tourism Bureau, and the poet Alpine Snow Eagle brought me to her, my first feeling was that I should bow down. Close my eyes slightly, and in the hot sun, my heart fell in front of her. For such a building that has stood upright in the wind and rain for more than 2,2 years, when you look at her, you will feel that there is a divine glory covering your whole body.
More than 2, years ago, although there were primitive religion Bonism and nomadic tribes in Tibet, there was no unified kingdom. In other words, Tibet at that time was not ruled by people, but by nature. Tibetans are afraid of the power of nature, so they invent all kinds of ghosts and gods to scare themselves. The more you scare yourself, the greater the power of nature. This is a vicious circle.
Tibetans with extremely immature minds need someone to save them at this time. One day in 237 BC, a handsome young man suddenly appeared in the west hill of Zantang Gallery. People felt very strange and asked him where he came from. He kept silent and pointed his finger at the sky. People who are crazy about their leaders are overjoyed, thinking that he is the son of the gods, so they carry him down the mountain with their necks and ask him to be king. He became the first Tibetan king Nie Chizamp in Tibetan history.
The palace is a symbol of kingship. Therefore, Nie Chizamp built the first palace in Tibetan history-Yongbulakang, on the mountain next day in Tashi. Perhaps the productivity is still underdeveloped and the national strength is too weak; Perhaps the king and the court have not learned to be extravagant, and Yongbulakang was built in moderation. She may be one of the smallest palaces in the world. However, her momentum and temperament are indescribable magnificent, even the Potala Palace on Mount Mabriz will make her score three points.
Yong bulakang pioneered the construction of a palace on the top of a mountain in Tibet, and created a Tibetan architectural style integrating palaces, temples, bunkers and folk houses. Later, the Potala Palace and the Gyangze Zongshan Fort all followed her style. I even suspect that medieval castles in Europe, especially Gothic buildings, may have been inspired and inspired by Yong Brakang. What surprises me most is that there is a cloister with a patio behind the second floor, which is full of charm of Jiangnan folk houses. The depth and breadth of cultural exchanges between ancient ethnic groups may be unimaginable now.
standing on the watchtower of yongbulakang, the uniform and patchwork farmland in Yalong river valley looks like a huge tapestry. No matter how vast the sky is, or how far the mountains stretch, as well as the vicissitudes of river valleys and quiet villages, they all live in their own positions properly; Every color, including different levels in each color, is so lively and self-disciplined, bright', simple, flying, deep, bright and low-key ... * * * isomorphic has become a great beauty without words. I am most fortunate that I am not a painter, otherwise, I can only throw a pen and sigh when I see such a scene.
It is said that Princess Wencheng and Songzan Gambu only lived a happy life for ten years, and then they fell out of favor because of their old age and fading color. Princess Wencheng, who deeply loves Songzan Gambu, did not adopt the shrewish strategy of importune and lion roars, but rationally retired to Shannan. She is in the place where Songtsan Gampo started, and misses the good years they spent together. She lived in the small and old palace of Yongbulakang, and slowly rolled up a legendary woman who was once beautiful, beautiful and intelligent. Princess Wencheng, you are a scroll that will never fade in the history of Tibet and even China.
At the foot of Yongbulakang, there is the first farmland and the first village in Tibet's history, which shows that Tibet's transition from nomadic people to agricultural society began here. Shannan is also the first stop of Tibetan Buddhism. Just now, I said that Nie Chizamp became the first generation of Zampa in Tubo because he didn't speak. In a blink of an eye, it was the 27th generation of Zampa, called Latoto Ri Nian Zan.
one day, latoto rizan was taking a lunch break on the roof of yongbulakang, announcing that someone was visiting. It was an Indian, Luo Sangcuo, who originally came to Tibet to preach, but because of the language barrier and rampant Bonism, Luo Sangcuo was deeply disappointed and prepared to return to China. He wanted to leave his belongings in Tibet. What are these things? A Tantric classic, a relic pagoda, a Dharma discipline practiced by Tantric Buddhism, and the other is the famous six-character mantra "Ay, Ma, Ba Mi". Ratoto Rizanne can't understand these things, but he is a man with awe. He not only accepts them, but also enshrines them. A miracle happened! Latoto Rizanne, who was over 8 years old and exhausted, had long hair and teeth, and recovered his youth. He lived to be 12 years old in one breath. The manifestation of "mysterious things" has made Buddhism take root in Tibet. In the 7th century AD, the wise Songtsan Gampo sent people to India to study Sanskrit, and then created Tibetan on the basis of Sanskrit. Only then did these mysterious things come to light, and they turned out to be the first batch of Buddhist classics introduced to Tibet. Tibetans are mainly nomadic, and few people can read, especially those who can read classics. They thought of two good ways. First, they wrote the scriptures on the banners, and tied them on the roofs, hillsides and bridges. When the wind blows, the banners hunt and hunt, much like chanting, and the Tibetans leave the task of chanting to the wind. However, it seems too lazy to give it to the wind completely, and if they can't read, they have to express it anyway. Fortunately, Luo Sangcuo has already brought them a six-character mantra. The second way is that as long as you recite the six-character mantra, you can avoid going to hell after death and get bliss. Let's not laugh at our Tibetan compatriots. Han people are lazier than them. We just have to say four words "Amitabha", but they have at least read six words. Moreover, our four words are so smooth that they are like tongue twisters. You can't practice them without some effort.
Before entering Tibet, I heard that Sanye Temple was the first temple in Tibetan history, and Changzhu Temple was also the first. I just want to find out who is the first. I finally found out in Shannan that the Changzhu Temple was built in the year when Princess Wencheng married Songzan Gambu (AD 641), but it was very small at that time, with only one Buddhist temple. Samye Temple, built in 775, is the first Buddhist and Buddhist temple in Tibet. Judging from the construction time, Changzhu Temple is obviously the first; But from the temple point of view, Sanye Temple should be said to have come from behind. The structure of Changzhu Temple is very similar to Jokhang Temple. But it can't be said that Jokhang Temple copied Changzhu Temple, but Changzhu Temple copied Jokhang Temple, because Changzhu Temple can look like it now, at least after the 14th century. The reason why future generations want to expand Changzhu Temple into Jokhang Temple, I think, is mainly to commemorate that god-like woman-Princess Wencheng.
Jokhang Temple shows Princess Wencheng's intelligence, but after she went to Lhasa with Songzan Gampo, Princess Wencheng still likes to go back to Yalong River Valley, live in Changzhu Temple, and farm and play with the people here. There is a local folk song: "The young and handsome elder sister is dressed like a wonderful flower, and the person who brings precious stones is sister Jiasa." Sister Jiasa is a nickname for Princess Wencheng by Tibetans. The death of Princess Wencheng is a heavy blow to Tibetan compatriots, and such a good woman will die, which greatly shakes the life belief of Tibetans and makes them believe in Buddhism more. They built a temple for the princess and tried their best to leave her relics behind. Changzhu Temple left a copper basin for her face and makeup, and put this copper basin in Guanyin Hall, which also reflected the Tibetans' high affirmation of Princess Wencheng. Changzhu Temple still has Thangka embroidered by Princess Wencheng herself. I have never heard of any objects used by Songzan Gambu in all parts of Tibet, but Princess Wencheng has used them everywhere. There are stone benches where the princess sat in Jokhang Temple, Linzhi and trees planted by the princess herself, and so on. People in Xizang's contribution to Princess Wencheng is kept in mind, and his yearning for a beautiful goddess is real and eternal.
Another theme of Changzhu Temple is Guanyin. The first treasure in the temple is Guanyin Thangka, a "treasure-level" cultural relic. This Thangka is a Guanyin rest picture made by Naidong Queen at the end of Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of Ming Dynasty. The Guanyin statue on Thangka is inlaid with 29,927 small pearls. What I am most interested in is not its craft, but its content, which really shocked me, and I further believe that Tibetans are a more lovely nation than Han people. Please don't worry and listen to my analysis.
I've been thinking, being both Buddhists, what's the difference between Tibetan Buddhism and Central Plains Buddhism? What is the biggest difference between them? I got my own answer. I am not an expert in religious studies, but as a scholar who is interested in religion, I feel it and appreciate it. In my opinion, the biggest feature of Tibetan Buddhism is that it is a more idealistic religion, and the reincarnation of life and death is its core idea. It is light on this life and starts over, and pursues penance. Generally, Tibetan families have no savings and all their money is donated to temples. Therefore, Tibetan Buddhism has more religious original significance. In contrast, Buddhism in the Central Plains is much more realistic. Believers worship Buddha, burn incense and kowtow with a clear purpose, seek wealth, promotion and peace of mind, and even pursue returns by doing some charity work. Karma is the core idea of Buddhism in the Central Plains, which emphasizes the afterlife, generally pursues hedonism and is more utilitarian.
However, there is still a * * * similarity between the two, and they both attach great importance to Guanyin Bodhisattva. It is strange that Guanyin is an obscure male bodhisattva in the Buddhist system of India; However, once in China, Guanyin was not only transformed into a goddess, but also its status soared, even becoming a Tathagata. I think Guanyin's position in Tibet is still deeply influenced by the Central Plains, which is also the best annotation of the integration of Tibet and the mainland. But Guanyin was really hard in the mainland. At that time, there was no People's Liberation Army and modern management departments. Fighting floods, dealing with earthquake relief, dealing with traffic accidents, family planning, inspecting cadres, punishing the good and promoting the good, social welfare, etc., all depended on a Guanyin iron shoulder to bear morality and eliminate evil spirits. Although Guanyin is a god or not, God also needs to rest, not to mention that she is still a changed goddess. This is the selfishness or unlovable of the Han people. In order to covet their own safety and wealth, they make Guanyin work hard. If they are lucky, they will fulfill the wishes of the laity. If you are unlucky or too busy, it's strange that you can't draw a cross on your face until your wish is fulfilled.
However, the Tibetans received Guanyin, and the treatment was different. They don't need Guanyin to take care of those details. You can sit or stand, so let's worship you. Suffering in this life, we recognize that this life is equal to us.