Sutra-Printing House in Shangri-La, Diqing
The Sutra-Printing House (香格里拉印经院, Yìn jīng yuàn) is a cultural tourism site located in the picturesque Xia Gei Village (霞给村, Xiá gěi cūn) of Shangri-La (香格里拉, Xiānggélǐlā), Diqing (迪庆, Dìqīng). Nestled between mountains and rivers, this village is 18 kilometers east of Shangri-La County (香格里拉县, Xiānggélǐlā xiàn) and serves as the last stop along the Tibetan cultural corridor within the Pudacuo National Park (普达措国家公园, Pǔdácuò guójiā gōngyuán). Covering an area of 500 acres, the village consists of 22 households with a total population of 120, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage. It is renowned as “the first village of Shangri-La,” maintaining traditional Tibetan architecture and showcasing the unique lifestyles, customs, Tibetan Buddhism culture, culinary traditions, and folk handicrafts of the Tibetan people.
Attractions Overview
The site showcases a variety of both static and dynamic cultural exhibits, including workshops for wood carving, horn carving, Thangka painting (唐卡, Tángkǎ), Tibetan incense crafting, stone carving, Tibetan silverware, and knife-making. It also houses a Tibetan medicine museum, ensuring the protection and transmission of endangered Tibetan culture and folk crafts. The Ganden Dazhong Temple (噶丹·德吉林寺, Gádān Déjílín sì) within the complex uniquely displays the eight main sects of Tibetan Buddhism, making it a singular site in the Tibetan region.
The Sutra-Printing House is the largest of its kind in Yunnan’s Tibetan area, dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and transmission of Tibetan traditional culture. It exhibits a total of 162,000 original printing plates of the Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, including 108 volumes of the Kanjur (甘珠尔, Gānzhū’ěr), 203 volumes of the Tanjur (丹珠尔, Dānzhū’ěr), and various texts from the eight major sects. This collection has significant scholarly value, covering subjects such as Buddhist scriptures, philosophy, astronomy, geography, political economy, Tibetan medicine, history, literature, music, art, and handicrafts, serving as an encyclopedia of Tibetan cultural arts.
Cultural Significance
Xia Gei Village, whose name in Tibetan translates to “the village under the white rock,” has a rich tradition in various Tibetan crafts such as Thangka painting, earthen pottery, and butter tea. Prior to the establishment of the Sutra-Printing House, the village already embodied authentic Shangri-La culture, earning its title as the first village of Shangri-La.
Lharong (拉茸开主, Lāróng kāizhǔ), the current lama of Songzanlin Temple (松赞林寺, Sōngzànlín sì), comes from a family that has lived here for generations. His grandfather was a local chieftain, and many family members have served as lamas at the temple. Lharong entered the monastery at the age of eight and formally became a monk at ten. His vision for the Sutra-Printing House was inspired by a visit to the Dege Sutra-Printing House (德格印经院, Dégé yìn jīng yuàn) in Sichuan, where he first saw the neatly arranged printing plates and recognized the importance of preserving Tibetan culture.
Over the next twenty years, Lharong and his cousin Wang Dui (汪堆, Wāng duī) dedicated themselves to establishing the unique Sutra-Printing House in Xia Gei Village, inviting artisans from regions like Qinghai (青海, Qīnghǎi) to participate in the craftsmanship. The construction process involved carving the plates for six to seven years before building the facility. Today, four craftsmen from Qinghai continue to work here, ensuring the continuation of these traditional techniques.
Traditional Craftsmanship
The printing plates consist of around 48,900 wooden blocks, including texts by Master Tsongkhapa (宗喀巴, Zōngkèbā) and other important scriptures. The Sutra-Printing House features a unique four-story architectural design centered on religious themes, differing from typical monasteries by incorporating many windows for ventilation and natural light.
The walls, built of stone rather than wood, are crucial for maintaining a stable, cool temperature to preserve the wooden blocks from insects and decay. The plate-making process includes several steps: printing the text on sample paper, adhering it to the wooden block, applying oil, and then meticulously carving the text into the wood.
Community Impact
Since its establishment, the Sutra-Printing House has positively influenced the community relations and structure of Xia Gei Village. The local villagers frequently visit to pray and participate in rituals. The completion of the house has instilled a sense of peace in the village, especially during the traditional Buddhist festival held on the fifteenth day of the fourth Tibetan month, when villagers engage in a significant scripture recitation ceremony using texts provided by the Sutra-Printing House.
Lharong hopes to train more local talents interested in Tibetan Buddhism and culture, emphasizing the importance of preserving this heritage. Future efforts will include developing culturally inspired creative products based on traditional craftsmanship.
Location and Architectural Style
The Sutra-Printing House is located in Xia Gei Village, northwest of Jiantang Town (建塘镇, Jiàntáng zhèn) in Shangri-La City, Yunnan Province. The building is an iconic representation of Tibetan culture, featuring a distinctive Tibetan architectural style with yellow-painted walls adorned with auspicious Tibetan patterns. The spacious interior serves as a repository for Tibetan literature and culture, blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings.
Cultural Activities
- Tibetan Printing Workshops: Visitors can experience traditional printing techniques and witness the deep-rooted Tibetan culture firsthand.
- Tibetan Art Exhibitions: The house frequently hosts exhibitions showcasing various forms of Tibetan art, including Thangka and murals.
- Tibetan Music Concerts: During significant cultural events, traditional Tibetan music performances are held, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the melodic sounds of this ancient culture.
Historical Importance
The Sutra-Printing House preserves rich Tibetan cultural heritage, housing extensive collections of Tibetan texts across multiple fields. It serves as a vital site for the transmission of Tibetan culture and printing techniques, ensuring that these traditions continue to thrive.
Conclusion
The Sutra-Printing House in Shangri-La is a place steeped in mystery and cultural richness. Its geographical location, architectural style, cultural activities, and surrounding natural landscapes offer a unique experience for visitors. The historical significance and unique characteristics of the Sutra-Printing House evoke a deep respect for Tibetan culture, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Tibetan heritage.
How to Get There
To reach the Sutra-Printing House in Xia Gei Village, you can:
- By Car: Drive from Shangri-La County, heading east for approximately 18 kilometers until you reach Xia Gei Village.
- By Public Transport: Use local buses or taxis available from Shangri-La city center that can take you to the vicinity of the village.
Travel Tips
- Respect Local Customs: When visiting religious sites, always remove your hat and avoid carrying items like knives or garlic.
- Interact with Locals: Engaging with Tibetan residents can enrich your experience; when offered a khata (哈达, hā dá), accept it respectfully.
- Capture the Scenery: Don’t miss out on photographing the stunning landscapes and unique architectural features of the area.
- Try Local Cuisine: Indulge in local delicacies such as butter tea (酥油茶, sūyóuchá) and Tibetan pastries (藏式糕点, zàngshì gāodiǎn) for a true taste of the region.
- Plan for Festivals: If possible, visit during local festivals to witness vibrant cultural celebrations and ceremonies.
