The Phagpa Preaching Platform

　　In 1278, on his way back from the Yuan capital (Beijing) to the Tibetan region, Phagpa, the Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan Dynasty, preached and taught here, transmitted Buddhist teachings and conferred empowerments. The site of the “White Lotus Throne” of Phagpa’s preaching platform that year is located near the Gajang Monastery in Qawen Town, Chendue County.

　　In 1265, on his return from the Yuan capital to Tibet, Phagpa passed through Yushu and preached and conferred empowerments in Gawalongba (now Chendue Township, Chendue County), gathering over ten thousand followers. He also accepted two brothers, Ani Dampa and Ani Zhongpa, as disciples in Shangzhuang.

　　In 1268, following Phagpa’s instructions, the two brothers founded the Gajang Monastery in Chendue and built the “Baima Gaba” at the site where Phagpa had preached, as a memorial. Phagpa gifted the monastery a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, a full set of the Kangyur scriptures written in silver on black paper, a 1.5-foot-tall alloy stupa, a nine-pronged ritual bell, and issued an official decree. The decree required local residents to offer tributes such as butter, gold, barley, and livestock to the monastery. It also granted the local administrator in charge of religious and political affairs one ivory seal and one sandalwood seal.