Pearl Temple

Pearl Temple

Pearl Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Pearl Temple

Its Tibetan name is "Juejue Lhakhang." It is located about [distance] kilometers east of the county town, at the current site of the Hedong Township government. According to the *History of Politics and Religion in Amdo*, "Juejue" is a transliteration of the Chinese word "珍珠" (pearl). When Sakya Pandita Künga Gyeltsen was invited by Köden to come to Amdo, he passed through Qinghai and visited the Powa Stupa in Guide. Using a load of pearls gifted by Köden as funding, he built the temple, which came to be known as Pearl Temple. Based on this account, the temple was originally constructed during the Chunyou era of the Southern Song Dynasty. Historically, Pearl Temple had no resident monks or abbots and was always managed by Gongba Monastery. The temple complex included a main hall (two stories with six rooms), a Guanyin Hall (12 rooms), and 32 side rooms. The roof of the main hall was covered with glazed tiles and adorned with gilded stupas. Inside, it housed large statues of the Three Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future, made from precious materials and featuring exquisite craftsmanship. The temple was demolished in 1985 and rebuilt by local devotees in 1987, who constructed a new shrine consisting of three rooms. Currently, one monk resides at the temple.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units