Khojarnath Monastery

　　    A Tibetan Buddhist Sakya sect monastery. Located in Khojarnath Village, Burang County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. "Khoja" means "settlement" in Tibetan. It was founded in 996 by the great translator Rinchen Zangpo. The village of Khojarnath was built around the monastery in an east-west layout. According to records, the monastery was established before the village, which was named after it.

　　    Khojarnath Monastery is the largest temple in Burang County, with a long history and great local renown. Every year, devotees from neighboring counties such as Zanda and Gar in Ngari Prefecture, as well as from Nepal, come to worship here. During the Cultural Revolution, the monastery’s cultural relics and structures suffered severe damage, with some buildings destroyed and the statues and murals inside the halls badly impaired. After the 1980s, restoration work was gradually carried out on the ancient buildings, including the renovation of the Mani Lhakhang. On June 25, 2001, Khojarnath Monastery was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council as an ancient structure dating back to 996. The main structures of the monastery are the Jokhang Hall and the Hundred Pillar Hall, arranged in an “L” shape. The Jokhang Hall is located in the southern part of the monastery, facing north; the Hundred Pillar Hall is situated in the western part, facing east. In front of the two halls is a relatively small square, with a well, a tall prayer flagpole, and incense burners in the center. The surrounding walls of the square feature covered corridors with prayer wheels, serving as gathering spaces for religious activities and local celebrations. There is also a kora (pilgrimage path) around the temple buildings.

　　    Khojarnath Monastery is a renowned thousand-year-old Buddhist temple, built under the direction of the great master Rinchen Zangpo along with Tholing Monastery (in Zanda County) and Nama Monastery (in Kashmir). It is said that the three monasteries were constructed and consecrated on the same day, over 1,000 years ago.

　　    - On June 4th, a religious ceremony presided over by the monastery’s master is held at Khojarnath Monastery, the southernmost monastery in Burang County. Khojarnath Monastery and Tholing Monastery are equally famous as ancient thousand-year temples. Due to their influence in the Buddhist communities of Ngari and neighboring Nepal, every year at this time, no fewer than a thousand monks and devotees come to participate in the ceremony. During this period, the thangkas collected by the monastery through the ages are hung inside, adding significant value to the event.

　　    Khojarnath Monastery is built along the terrain, nestled against mountains and near water, facing north with high mountains to the south. The entire temple complex features majestic halls, with various sized scripture halls, monks’ quarters, and stupas complementing one another. The architectural art style of the monastery is unique, with exquisite craftsmanship, though unfortunately some parts have been damaged. The monastery originally housed over 100 volumes of the Kangyur, though only six authentic volumes remain. The murals inside the halls are well-preserved, with distinctive and unique styles, all being century-old treasures.

　　    Legend has it that seven strong Indian wandering monks came to this area to engage in Buddhist practices. Before leaving, they left seven large packages of silver for the king. Surprised, the king consulted a master on how to handle it. The master explained that this was an extraordinary blessing bestowed by the wealth god “Zambala,” which should not be kept for personal gain but used for good deeds and as offerings to benefit all beings. Following divine will and the master’s advice, the king mobilized considerable manpower and resources to build the grand upper and lower palaces and the Sekhang Scripture Hall in Gar Dong, temporarily housing all seven packages of silver there. Soon after, the king took the silver to “Xiegaer Canglin,” located on the China-Nepal border, and commissioned Nepalese artisans to craft a rare statue of Manjushri. After its completion, he invited Master Rinchen Zangpo to perform the consecration ceremony. While the statue was being transported to Gar Dong, it was suddenly heard to speak: “I will reside and take root in this place.” Overjoyed, the king then built Khojarnath Monastery on this spot.