Zhohai Bon Temple

　　Introduction      Zhohai Bon Temple was established in the Water Tiger Year before the first Rabjung cycle, which dates back 900 years. The temple’s founder was the Vajra Master Zhukwang Dunni Xapul, reverently known as the Great Meditation Master Yungdrung Gyaltsen. The doctrines practiced at Zhohai Bon Temple mainly revolve around the “Nine Vehicles of Teaching” expounded by Shenrab Miwoche, the founder of Tibet’s indigenous Bon religion, along with the “Four Portals,” the “Five Treasuries,” and other inner, outer, and secret teachings.

　　      Major religious activities at Zhohai Bon Temple include the Wish-Fulfilling Assembly and Buddha Offering Ceremony held on the 15th day of the first lunar month each spring; the Practice Assembly and summer retreat during the summer months; and disaster-averting rituals along with Cham dances in winter. In addition, the temple adheres to a combined practice of exoteric and esoteric Buddhism, regularly holding ceremonies such as Chöd, Tongkyé, Medicine Buddha, and Kalachakra. Rituals for cultivating virtue and purging evil are also conducted in the early and late parts of each month.

　　      Zhohai Temple features a grand prayer hall that houses several large statues of Bon lineage masters, the Sixteen Arhats, as well as scroll paintings of exoteric and esoteric deities, and over 200 volumes of scriptures including the Kangyur. The doorways and skylights of the hall are adorned with red and black prayer flags, giving the temple a more mysterious and solemn atmosphere compared to others. The temple currently has over 30 monks and more than 30 monk quarters. Its prayer hall, monks’ living quarters, and some ritual activities are open to visitors for viewing.

　　 Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province