Xiariha Stone Scripture Courtyard

Xiariha Stone Scripture Courtyard

Xiariha Stone Scripture Courtyard

Located in a place called Xiariha, about 20 kilometers northeast of the county town, there is a square-shaped stone scripture courtyard built with scripture stones, standing 2 meters high, 1 meter wide, and with a perimeter of 320 meters. The total volume of the stone scripture wall is approximately 1,736 cubic meters, with about 488 cubic meters of - stone, covering an area of 64.6 square meters. Engraved on these stone slabs are Tibetan “Ganggyur” (i.e., the Kangyur), one of the two main components of the Tibetan Buddhist canon, comprising 7,108 volumes, “Darmadu” (the Liberation Sutra) with 200 volumes, 324 Buddha statues, and a central Deke'er Quofudan (stupa). The courtyard faces south and is situated to the north. The west wall is 86.4 meters long, with 62 niches on the outer side and 88 on the inner side; the north wall is 76.4 meters long, with 62 niches on the outer side and 54 on the inner side; the east wall is 80.4 meters long, with 58 niches on the outer side and 55 on the inner side; the south wall is 79.4 meters long, with 79 niches on the outer side and 50 on the inner side. In total, there are 243 niches on the outer side and 217 on the inner side, making a grand total of 640 niches. Each niche is 0.6 meters high, 0.7 meters wide, and 0.4 meters deep. An annual scripture recitation ceremony is held once every lunar April, with at least one member from each household required to attend. The ceremony involves 50 monks chanting scriptures, while the public circumambulates the “Golaa,” creating a truly spectacular scene.