Danma Ancient Pagoda

Danma Ancient Pagoda

Danma Pagoda — also known as the Natural Buddha Pagoda of Amdo. According to the *History of Amdo’s Politics and Religion*, this pagoda was built during the Jiaqing or Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty. The base measures 18 meters in both length and width, with a height of 2.5 meters. The pagoda itself is a naturally formed, symmetrical and well-proportioned small hill, not man-made, standing 18.8 meters tall and crowned with a giant golden sun and moon finial. The Natural Buddha Pagoda is currently managed by the Danma Nunnery, where 27 nuns reside and practice Buddhism, chanting scriptures morning and evening under the glow of oil lamps and the tolling of the golden bell, experiencing the karmic causes and effects of life. Legend has it that during the era of King Ashoka (also known as the Dharma King Nyatri Tsenpo), the pagoda was constructed overnight through the collective magical efforts of 500 arhats, and it enshrines the relics of one thousand enlightened beings.