Panchen Rinpoche’s Former Residence

　　The late 10th Panchen Lama’s former residence is situated in Mari Village, Wendu Township, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of the county town. He was born here on the third day of the first lunar month in the 27th year of the Republic of China (1938). The Rinpoche’s ancestral home was in Sakya, Tibet. His ancestors migrated to Xunhua in the early Yuan Dynasty. From the Ming Dynasty onward, they held hereditary positions as hundred-household chiefs, and by the late Qing Dynasty, were elevated to thousand-household chiefs, governing the “Seven Clans of Wendu.”

　　MARI VILLAGE & THE FORMER RESIDENCE Mari Village is located at the foot of Xiadang Mountain, boasting beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate. A small river flows from south to north into the Yellow River. A road runs through the village, connecting Jishi Town in Xunhua with Tongren County in Huangnan. The Rinpoche’s former residence stands beneath a towering, ancient tree. The residence consists of three courtyards. The outer courtyard includes a parking lot, storage rooms, and warehouses; the western courtyard is the old residence, where family members lived. The eastern courtyard features two-story Tibetan-style buildings on three sides, with the central Buddha Hall positioned at the back of the northern side. To the left of the hall are a reception room and the Rinpoche’s bedroom. The beams, pillars, and doorways are all painted and colored, giving the place a magnificent, solemn, and elegant atmosphere. Above the entrance of the Buddha Hall hangs a plaque inscribed with “Source of the River, Mount Sumeru,” flanked by the couplet: “In winding streams, peace prevails, patriotism spreads early to repel invaders; across vast lands, all turn to enlightenment, safeguarding the Dharma to secure the nation.” This was a gift presented on October 1, 1983, by the county’s urban and rural communities to celebrate the completion of the Rinpoche’s new residence. The former residence has now become a site for tourists to visit and for Buddhist devotees to worship. A poem reads:

　　The land is blessed where great souls reside, Source of the River, Mount Sumeru, forever glorified;

　　Loving the nation and the faith, guiding all beings— His noble name and compassionate heart resound through heaven and earth.

　　Heading south from the former residence and crossing Xiadang Mountain leads to the renowned Wendu Monastery in the Xunhua area. Opposite the monastery lies Zhideng Mountain, covered with lush primeval spruce forests that set off the temple’s exceptional serenity. Wendu Monastery was the main place where the Rinpoche studied scriptures, received precepts in his early years, and conducted Buddhist activities when he returned to his hometown. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month in 1991, a memorial stupa for the Rinpoche was completed and consecrated. The stupa features characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan architectural style, standing grand and majestic with extraordinary presence. To the east of the hall is the Rinpoche Memorial Hall, which introduces his life story through stone carvings, photos, and texts. It is often visited by devotees and tourists. A poem reads:

　　Clouds and rosy clouds billow as prayer flags flutter, The ancient temple reopens after trials, consecrated anew;

　　Carved beams and painted pillars with tortoiseshell inlays, Thangkas and murals bring blessings in view.

　　Statues of Guanyin and arhats, each with distinct expressions, ferry beings with compassion;

　　Shrines hold flickering lamps amid incense smoke; The golden-and-jade-inlaid memorial hall shines bright.

　　Halls and towers echo with scripture chanting, Only sincere hearts in the ocean of awakening truly awaken;

　　Pines and cypresses, flowing waters inspire awe, The stupa and temple shine in shared glory.