Before the sunlight hits on high hills of Sakya County, I looked out from the window, and it was like the shadows of hill mountains hitting on my roof. But when the sunrise was above the horizon, it was just magic. The yellowish hills turn like gold and admire the beautiful landscape of Sakya County.
Sakya county
Sakya County has located 60km from Shigatse City. Once, this county ruled the whole of Tibet for almost a century. Now it’s a small county under the Shigatse district in Tibet Autonomous Region.
I could see the small nunnery from the window, and eventually, cloud-like smoke appears from the incense burner in the nunnery’s courtyard. I’m not that religious but felt something different that day like heaven is a blessing on earth.
I was very excited to go there and get dressed, left right away. I haven’t felt such excitement for a long time. When I got out of the hotel, I met a three-wheeler guy heading toward the nunnery. I suddenly called out for a ride. Even though it was windy and cold but my excitement kept me warm. I took out my camera and started taking photos of my surroundings.
After a while, I was at the top and thanked him for the ride. I rushed inside the temple and saw some nuns busy with their daily routines. But they were very responsive as I approached the main entrance; one nun came to me and started guiding me into the main chapel.
She was short, beautiful, and tidy. I was surprised because I haven’t had that kind of welcome gesture since I arrived in Tibet. She started explaining to me about the nunnery, and I felt like having spiritual empowerment from her. Her voice was soft and polite. It was touching, though. Then she offered me a cup of black tea, it tasted good. She asked me why I came here alone because she hasn’t met any solo traveler before, especially a Tibetan.
Usually, Tibetans go on pilgrimage with their families or friends. But here I was. I thought she felt pity for me. She might have thought I am a lonely guy. But I explained to her about me being a solo traveler. She understood my point of view and appreciated it.
The chapel was warm and colorful. She explained to me about all the statues that were placed in the chapel. There are around forty nuns, and she introduced me to some of them. I went to many nunneries and monasteries but haven’t had that kind of warm welcome. I was truly blessed and left with gratitude.
From the nunnery, I could see almost the whole town and Sakya Monastery stands out from the valley due to its high walls around the monastery campus and its watch towers. It was the residence of the Tibetan ruler, Sakyapa who ruled the whole of Tibet for almost a century.
I quickly went down to the Sakya monastery because I didn’t want to miss experiencing morning mass prayer at the monastery. Usually, for the monastery, the mass prayer starts around 7 or 7:30 am. So, when I reached the monastery, the monks were getting ready for the prayer. I was on time.
Citadel of Sakya
I entered the main hall, it was filled with smoke from the incense and there were a few dim lights. The prayer hall was huge with a high ceiling. There were 32 huge pillars, among them, 8 pillars were huge tree trunks and this monastery is a few centuries old. Each pillar has a name and its importance.
The most amazing thing to see at the Sakya monastery is the library. That’s why I want to call it the citadel of Sakya. It was right behind the main hall with a small entrance but once you get inside the library. It was amazing. The library contains thousands of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and each scripture text is sacked with huge wooden plates. At the exit door, there was the so-called world’s largest scripture text which was placed in the glass box.
I felt very unique experience, it was an authentic moment of peace, calm, and ancient. This monastery provided a different vibe. I walked along the walls on the roof. There were four watch tower temples at each corner of the main temple.
There were so many small chapels to explore but I had visited only a few of them. Then I went out to have breakfast. There were so many small shops, restaurants, and vendors near the monastery. I went inside a small restaurant filled with pilgrims and shared a table with some old ladies. I had a bowl of noodles which is one of the most famous breakfasts here in Tibet. Then I left for my next destination.