The names of other sanctuaries include:

"The Prominent Master's" (Lama Lhakhang);
"The Example of Samantabhadra" (Kunzang Jedokhang);
"The Wheel of Time" (Dukor Lhakhang);
"Sakyamuni of Loving Kindness" (Thupwang Lhakhang);
"Sakyamuni of Virtues" (Zegya Lhakhang);
"The Great Gradual Path" (Lamring Lhakhang);
"The True Word" (Rigzin Lhakhang);
"The Sacred Succession" (trungrab Lhakhang).

Subordinate constructions to the Potala include the Lam-rgyal Abbey, the Senior Seminary, the monks' dormitories and the eastern and western courtyards on the hill, while at the foot of the hill stands the houses once occupied by the local ogvernment bureaus and institutions, the printing press for Buddhist cannonical writings as well as a jail, the stables and the backyard garden.

Through more than 300 years the Potala has accumulated an enormous collection of monuments and relics. There are murals covering totally more than 2,500m, nearly 1,000 stupas, about 10,000 statues and as many thang-ka paintings, the religious library there includes puttra-leaf scriptures and the Bka'-'gyur (Buddhas's Teachings) volumes.

There are also a unique collection of golden diplomas and jade seals granted to successive Dalai lamas by Chinese Ming (1356-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) emperors to re-affirm the official ties between the local Tibetan administration and the central Chinese government. And the gold and silver artifacts, porcelain vessels, enamelwork, jadeware, brocade and other handicraft articles preserved in the Potala are enormous and richly diversified.

The beauty and originality of its architecture, its ornate decoration and its harmonious integration in a striking landscape add to its historic and religious interest.

(CRIENGLISH.com / tibettour.com.cn)

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