Third Dalai Dagoba Hall

Third Dalai Dagoba Hall was built in 1590 (Ming Dynasty) with colored glaze tiles. It is enshrined with the dagoba containing bone ash of Third Dalai.

Third Dalai was born in 1543 (Ming Dynasty). During 1580s, invited by Anda, King of Mongolia, he went to Qinghai to deliver sermon. In 1575, Anda built Yanghua Temple to worship him. When they met, Dalai converted Anda to Buddhism and Anda persuaded Dalai to serve for Ming Dynasty. Dalai wrote a letter to then Prime Minister Zhang Junzheng and called himself Sakyamuni Biqiu (highest level monk). Since then the title Dalai (Means Ocean in Mongolian) was created and Dalai became living Buddha.
In 1583, Third Dalai was invited to deliver sermon in Ta’er Monastery. Dalai suggested Zonzejiansan, the Chief to enlarge the Monastery ‘We should build a new majestic and great monastery and establish strict regulation and complete organization.’

Then Yindor Stupa, Qionzhuo Stupa, Qiangqu Stupa, monks’ dorms and many halls were built. And a palace for emperor’s temporary stay was constructed. Regulation of holding praying assembly in first lunar month was set up. In 1588, Third Dalai went to Inner-Mongolia for Anda’s funeral and died in Zhiowami Inner-Mongolia. In 1590, the Bodhi Pagoda was built, containing Third Dalai’s bone ash and worshiping stuff bestowed by Huangtaiji(founder of Qing Dynasty) and Third Dalai Hall was constructed. In 1712(Qing Dynasty), the pagoda was rebuilt into dagoba in the pattern of Zhaoxizheng Dagoba and paved colored glaze tiles. In 1758, it was destroyed in war and then repaired. In 1818, fire accident took place and in 1819 it was rebuilt into the current hall.

The Sutra Printing Hall

The Sutra Printing Hall is a compound built 160 years ago. It contains a collection of about 30,000 blocks of sutra printing boards and Buddha statue printing boards. While ink is used for printing, some classic works were hand-copied in a special ink of cinabar and a mixture of gold, silver, agate and other gem powders. In the Grand Kitchen are five bronze pots each with a diameter of two meters. These are used to cook tea and food for the lamas attending the sutra recitation during the ceremony concerning meditation of Amitayus in the Grand Sutra Hall.

Third Dalailama Throne Hall

Third Dalailama Throne Hall is the place where Buddhist debate is hold every late summer, so it is also called Summer Debate Hall. It lies opposite Dajinwa Hall and a creek is between it and Dajing Hall. Many elms are growing flourishingly in the courtyard so it is called Elm Courtyard.

In 1583(Ming Dynasty), Third Dalailama came to Ta’er Monastery and held praying assembly during which he sat on the throne presenting sermon to the monks and adherents. In 1886(Qing Dynasty), Ajia Xiraosangbu chief of Ta’er Monastery, built today’s Third Dalailama Throne Hall with the throne in the center. There are many mural paintings in the Hall. After late 1970s it became exhibiting hall of ghee flower.

In Tibetan, Third Dalailama Throne means the throne preexisting Daliailama sitting on for sermon or holy throne.

Tibetan Buddhist leaders like 5th, 7th, 13th, and 13th Dalailama and 6th , 9th and 10th Panchen all sat on the throne presenting sermon when the came to Ta’er Monastery for pilgrimage. Thus although the Hall has simple construction, it is very famous.

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