塔尔寺是怎样的一座寺院？

Taer Lamasery(塔尔寺)

Ladies and gentlemen，

I'm very pleased to meet you.When you come to Qinghai，you must visit the Taer Lamasery.So what then is the Taer Lamasery? Letme give you an introduction.

Located in the town of Lusna'er，Huangzhong County，the Lamasery's beautiful name means“Lotus Basin”in Chinese.This is because the shape of hills around it looks like a blooming eight-petal lotus.Master Zongkaba was born here.The Lamasery built after his birth is in the center of this lotus.

In Tibetan language，Taer Lamasery is called“Gumbum”，which means“100，000 figures of Buddha”.It was said that when Master Zongkaba was born，a white sandal tree grew up from where his navel was cut off.In the sandal tree there were 100，000 leaves.A Lion-roaring Buddha(one kind of images of Sakyamuni Buddha) appeared naturally on every leaf.Tibetans called the Lamasery“Gumbum”(100，000 figures of Buddha).

Master Zongkaba was a native of Huangzhong County in Xining City，Qinghai Province.He was born in 1357.At the age of3，he was brought by his father to the Xiazong Lamasery in Ping'an County.He paid a visit to Ruobaiduojie，the fourth Buddha of Gejupai Heimao sect coming to Qinghai，and had his hair cut to be amonk.At the age of 7，he was sent to the Xiaqiong Lamasery in Hualong County.He was baptized by King Ruizhirenqin，the founder of the Lamasery and named Duanyueduojie.Later he was again initiated into Shamimonkhood and named Luosangzhaba.At the age of 16，he went to study the Buddhist scripture in Tibet and then established Gelu sect.He died in 1419 at the age of 63.

After six years of studying in Tibet，Zongkaba's mother really missed him.She had a lock of her hair and letter sent to Zongkaba，in order to persuade him to return home.But he was determined not to go home and insisted on studying and spreading Buddhism.Instead，he sent his follower Zhihuajianzan to give his mother Xiangsa'aqie and sister a self-portrait of him and lion-roaring Buddha to comfort them.In his letter he told his mother:“If，with 100，000 figures of Lion-roaring Buddha and a papal as the fetal treasure，a pagoda is built in the place where Iwas born，it will be same as we see each other”.The following year，in the twelfth year of Ming Dynasty Emperor Hongwu's reign，his mother，with the help of many believers，built the lotus pagoda.

The pagoda was rebuilt and maintained for more than 180 years，but did not come into a lamasery.It was not until 39^th year of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Jiajing's reign(1560) that the master Renqinzongzhejianzan built a house beside the lotus pagoda for meditation，marking the Lamasery's foundation.17 years later，during the fifth year of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Wanli's reign，the Mi'le Palace was builton the south side of the Lotus Pagoda.From then on，the Taer Lamasery became known by this name because the construction of pagoda came before the building of the temples.The formal establishment of Taer Lamasery commenced at this point in time，giving it a 400-year-long history.

In the tenth year of the Ming Dynasty Wanli Emperor's reign(1582)，when Dalai Lama，the third generation，Suonanjiacuo，came to live in Qinghai，he instructed Master Renzongjianzan and local Tibetan tribes to enlarge the temple complex.He also gave the portraits of Buddha for devotion.Meanwhile various grand ceremonies were held for the construction.Since then，the Taer Lamasery has been successively improved and developed.The Dalai Lama，Jiujian，Yihu，and Sakyamunipalaces，scripture house and houses for lamas have been built one after another.

Now there are over 9，300 different houses and 25 palaces in Taer Lamasery.Covering an area of about40 hectares，the Lamasery is now one of the most famous Tibetan Buddhism temples.The Taer Lamasery，along with the Sela，Gandan，Zhebang，and Zhashilunbu Lamaseries in Tibet，and Labuleng Lamasery in Gansu，belongs to the Tibetan Gelu Buddhist sect.It is Qinghai's biggest Tibetan Buddhism Lamasery.After the liberation，the central governmenthas paid greatattention to the Lamasery.On March 4，1961，the Taer Lamasery was designated by the State Council as a key national protected site.Later it was listed among the first4A scenic spots in China.The people's government has paid great attention to its constru-ction and appropriated funds several times to renovate it.

The Taer Lamasery has the following main highlights:

Firstly，there are many architectural structures and tour spots.When entering the Lamasery，you can see a straight row of pagodas.They are eight pagodas in commemoration of eight benevolences of Sakyamuni's life.From the east to west stand the Goodness，Bodhi，Four-Noble-Truths，Conquering Heresies，Reborn，Forthright Criticism，Victory，and Nirvana Pagodas.Then you can visit the minor Gold-tiled Hall，also known as the Hall of Guardian of Buddha，Shilun Big Pagoda，the Hallof Prayer for Longevity，the Sutras Printing Courtyard，and Hallof Manjushvi.After that you can visit the Great Hall of Sutras，the Lamasery's main structure.It is the largest building，which serves as the meeting place for lamas to chant sutras and scriptures，listen to sermons，and study Buddhism.Finally，you can visit the Big Kitchen，Medicine，Shilun，and Esoteric Colleges，Sakyamuni，DalaiBianzhi，Yihu，Nine-Room，Big Larang，and Mi'le Palace( the oldest structure in the complex)Mysterious Butter Sculptures，and Great Gold-tiled Halls.

Secondly，you can appreciate special and colourful architectural styles.Taer Lamasery mainly shows Tibetan style in architecture，but also displays Han Chinese style and local fashion，full of colorful characteristics.It is constructed on a mountain slope and its halls，glowing golden walls，and sutras houses stand in a neat row.

Thirdly，you can experience themysterious and rich Tibetan Buddhism culture.Travelling in the Lamasery，every tourist can learn the mysterious system of Buddha's Samsara.You can observe the four great Zhacang，reflecting the traditional culture，and four religious festivals.

Fourthly，you can appreciate the Three Unique Artistic Treasures，well-known both home and abroad.Butter sculptures，murals，and embossed embroideries are known as the Taer Lamasery's Three Unique Artistic Treasures.The butter sculpture，the use of butter as a medium for sculpture，is especially strange and precious.They are the outstanding representatives of Taer Lamasery arts and culture.

Ladies and Gentlemen，Taer Lamasery has more religious culture and scenic spots.Only when you approach it，you can understand its magnitude and accuracy.You will be deeply astonished in your heart.

各位朋友，大家好!到青海来旅游一定要参观游览塔尔寺，因为塔尔寺和青海湖都是青海旅游的象征及代表，可以说，不游览塔尔寺就是枉来青海。那么，塔尔寺是怎样的一座寺院呢?让我给大家做个介绍。

塔尔寺位于西宁市湟中县鲁沙尔镇，这里还有一个美丽的汉语名字--莲花坳，因其周围山丘的形状如盛开的八瓣莲花而得名，宗喀巴大师就诞生于此，以后修建的塔尔寺恰好便坐落在了这莲花的中心。

塔尔寺在藏语中称为“衮本贤巴林”，意思是“十万佛像弥勒洲”。相传在宗喀巴大师诞生时，从剪断其脐带滴血之处生长出了一株白旃檀树，树上有十万片非常茂密的树叶，每片叶子都自然显现出一尊狮子吼佛像(释迦牟尼身像的一种)，藏语因此称之为“衮本”(十万身像)。

宗喀巴大师是今青海省西宁市湟中县人，生于1357年。宗喀巴3岁时，其父亲把他带到今平安县境内的夏宗寺，拜见来青的噶举派黑帽系第四世活佛若白多杰，受近事戒;7岁时被送到今化隆县境内的夏琼寺，受到该寺创建者法王端智仁钦的罐顶，取密宗名端月多杰，后又受到沙弥戒，取法名罗桑扎巴;16岁赴西藏学习佛经直到创立格鲁派。大师于1419年63岁时在西藏拉萨甘丹寺圆寂。

宗喀巴大师去西藏学佛6年之后，其母香萨阿切盼儿心切，托人捎去一束白发和一封家书，让宗喀巴大师回来探望老母。大师接到母亲的家书之后，为坚持学业和弘扬佛法而决意不归，派弟子智华坚赞携带给母亲香萨阿切和姐姐各一幅自画像和狮子吼佛像，以慰老母和姐姐，并在信中告诉母亲:“若能在我出生的地方用十万狮子吼佛像和菩提树(指大师诞生地的那株白旃檀树)为胎藏修建一座佛塔，就犹如与儿见面一样。”为此，第二年，即明洪武十二年(公元1380年)，香萨阿切在信徒们的支持下建成了一座塔，取名莲聚塔。

莲聚塔修成后180多年间，几经改建和维修，终未形成寺院。直到明嘉靖三十九年(公元1560年)，由禅师仁钦宗哲坚赞在莲聚塔旁倡议修建了静房1座，用于修禅，至此寺院才有了雏形。17年之后的明万历五年(公元1577年)，人们又在莲聚塔的南侧建造了弥勒殿。从这时起，塔尔寺不仅初具规模，而且因先建塔后建寺而得名塔尔寺。所以，塔尔寺的正式建立一般都是从这一年算起，其历史应是400多年。

到了明万历十年(公元1582年)，三世达赖喇嘛索南嘉措来青海驻锡时，指示禅师仁钦宗哲坚赞以及当地藏族部落进一步扩建塔尔寺，并赐赠供奉佛像，同时进行了各种隆重的建寺仪式。自此以后，塔尔寺不断扩大和发展，先后建成达赖行宫、九间殿、依怙殿、释迦殿、经院和僧舍等，直至发展到今天的巨大规模。

塔尔寺现有各类建筑9300余间、殿堂25座，占地约40公顷，成为一座著名的藏传佛教寺院，它与西藏的色拉寺、甘丹寺、哲蚌寺、扎什伦布寺和甘肃的拉卜楞寺被称为藏传佛教格鲁派的六大丛林(寺院)，是青海最大的藏传佛教寺院，新中国成立后，塔尔寺受到国家的高度重视，于1961年3月4日，被国务院公布为第一批国家重点文物保护单位，后又评为我国第一批4A级旅游景区(点)，人民政府一直重视塔尔寺建设，多次拨款修葺，使之具有了今天的壮观恢弘气势。

游览塔尔寺的主要看点有如下几点:

第一，塔尔寺主要建筑及参观游览景点众多。进入塔尔寺，大家首先看到的是一组佛塔，它就是纪念佛祖释迦牟尼一生中八大业绩的如来八塔，从东向西依次是莲聚塔、菩提塔、初转法轮塔、降魔塔、降凡塔、息诤塔、祈寿塔、涅槃塔。之后参观游览的是小金瓦寺，也叫护法神殿。然后依次参观游览时轮大塔、祈寿殿、印经院、时轮坛城等。接着重点参观游览塔尔寺主体建筑大经堂，它是整个寺院规模最大的殿宇，是全寺僧人集体诵经、讲法和学习佛法的场所。紧接着参观游览大厨房、依怙殿、医明学院、释迦佛殿、大金瓦寺、弥勒殿、九间殿;遍知殿、时轮学院、密宗学院、大拉让以及神秘的酥油花馆等。

第二，欣赏塔尔寺特色鲜明的建筑风格。塔尔寺以藏式建筑为主，又兼容了汉式建筑与地方建筑风格，特色鲜明。整个建筑依山而建，错落有致，殿宇经堂，金碧辉煌。

第三，领略神秘而丰富的藏传佛教文化。游览塔尔寺，游客可了解神秘的活佛转世制度，参观游览反映传统文化的四大扎仓，考察宗教色彩浓郁的四大法会等。

第四，欣赏享誉海内外的塔尔寺艺术三绝。酥油花、壁画、堆绣被称为塔尔寺的艺术三绝，尤其是酥油花更为奇特而珍贵，是塔尔寺文化艺术的杰出代表。

各位游客，塔尔寺的宗教文化及看点远不止这些，只有当你走进它，才会体会到它的博大与精深，你的心灵也才会受到一种深深的震撼。