1. Tsuglagkhang main temple room
The central temple room of Tsuglagkhang, established in 1969, holds spiritual significance for the exiles, mirroring the reverence of Lhasa's Jokhang temple. Adorning the space behind the Dalai Lama's teaching throne is a delicately gilded statue of the historical Buddha, accompanied by sacred scriptures.
To the left stands a wooden statue of a gaunt Buddha, emblematic of his six-year meditative austerity in Bodhgaya. Beyond this figure are representations of Padmasambhava, the Indian sage acclaimed for propagating Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century, and Avalokitesvara (or Chenrezig in Tibetan). This latter statue is a recreation of a 7th-century artifact from the Jokhang temple, tragically destroyed by Chinese forces in 1966 amid the Cultural Revolution. Preserved within it are relics salvaged from this devastation and covertly transported out of Tibet. The temple's right wall showcases paintings of the 33rd, 38th, and 40th Tibetan kings, esteemed for introducing Buddhism to their homeland.
2. Kalachakra Temple
When you visit Tsuglagkhang following the Buddhist tradition of moving clockwise, you first encounter an area designated for prostration. Following this path, a doorway ushers you into the building on the west, home to the Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) Temple. Here, captivating murals are intricately related to Avalokitesvara, of which the Dalai Lama is believed to be an embodiment.
