alongxp.com – Nestled 127 kilometers west of Shigatse in Tibet’s Sa’gya County, Sakya Monastery stands as a testament to resilience and reverence. Founded in 1073 by Khön Könchok Gyalpo, a Nyingmapa monk turned Sakya Trizin, this fortress-like complex became the heart of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. Its name, meaning “pale earth,” reflects the gray soil of its rugged hillside perch. Expanded in 1268 by Drogön Chögyal Phagpa under Yuan patronage, it briefly reigned as Tibet’s political capital, blending spiritual and temporal power.
The monastery’s library, housing up to 84,000 scrolls, is a treasure trove of Buddhist scriptures, alongside works on philosophy, astronomy, and art. Discovered sealed in a 60-meter wall in 2003, these texts—some in gold ink—offer a glimpse into centuries of Tibetan thought, though claims of 10,000-year-old records lack evidence. Its murals, depicting mandalas and historical scenes, and relics like Kublai Khan’s conch shell, enrich its legacy. Despite Cultural Revolution damage, Sakya endures, its red-gray walls a symbol of Tibet’s unyielding spirit.
