Jokhang

The Jokhang (Wyl. jo khang) or Rasa Trulnang (Wyl. ra sa 'phrul snang) is the most sacred shrine in the whole of Tibet. Situated in Lhasa, it is home to the sacred Jowo Rinpoche statue. It was completed in 647 and faces west towards Nepal in recognition of the key role played in its construction by Queen Bhrikuti, the Nepalese wife of Songtsen Gampo.

Further Reading

• Gyurme Dorje & Tashi Tsering, Jokhang: Tibet's Most Sacred Buddhist Temple, Thames & Hudson, 2010
• Thomas Laird, The History of Tibet—Conversations with the Dalai Lama (London: Atlantic Books, 2006), pages 39-41.
• Victor Chan, Tibet Handbook—A Pilgrimage Guide (Chico: Moon Publications, 1994), 'Jokhang: Tibet's Most Sacred Temple', pages 62-96.