Guosha Temple

Guosha Temple

Guosha Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guosha Temple was established in the 18th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty, 1358 AD, by Zhonggaji Village, who was sent by Sakya Monastery in Tibet to visit the emperor in Beijing and returned thereafter. The original structure featured 20 pillars and was called Jiadeng Sang’angqu Forest Land. After the passing of Master Zhonggaji Village, a 30-meter-long thangka portrait of him was created and has been carefully preserved to this day as the temple’s most sacred relic. Once a year, during the grand religious festival on October 25th, the temple displays the portrait on its rooftop in an event known as the “Festival of Buddha Unfurling.”

It is said that those who worship and prostrate themselves beneath the master’s portrait will receive boundless blessings, be spared from suffering in hell after death, and be reborn in heaven. As a result, every year during the Festival of Buddha Unfurling, tens of thousands of Tibetan people from hundreds of miles around gather, holding incense and kowtowing in reverence. By the 10th century, Zhituosha further developed the temple’s religious activities and expanded its facilities, greatly enhancing its reputation. Due to Zhituosha’s outstanding contributions to the temple, after his passing, his statue was enshrined within the temple.

To this day. In the 12th year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, 1639 AD, when Gushihan led Mongolian troops to promote the Gelug school of Buddhism in the Kham region, the temple was renamed Guosa Temple, a name that has been used ever since. In the 10th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, 1884 AD, under the leadership of Guorong from Litang Monastery, the temple underwent another renovation. The main hall was expanded to two stories with 80 pillars, along with 62 monk rooms. The temple’s fame grew significantly, attracting more monks and flourishing in incense offerings. After Guorong passed away, his statue was also enshrined in the temple. The site houses over a hundred cultural relics, including nearly thirty thangka paintings from the Yuan and Qing dynasties. In 1982, as part of the first batch of ancient temples restored by government funding in our county, the temple was opened to the public and is now a key cultural relic protection unit at the prefectural level.