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Graveyard for Tibetan Kings
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The graveyard lies at Chonggye county, 27 kilometers
(16 miles) south of Tsedang. Those hill-like mounds
are believed to be tombs of Tibetan kings from 7th century
to 9th. The tops of the mounds are level, which is different
with mausoleums in China and matches history records.
Although there are various versions about the number
of the tombs, it seems to be nine.
The largest mound is believed to belong to Songtsen
Gampo, a most outstanding ruler, whose reign marks Tibetan
mythology and recorded history. The tumulus is 13.4
meters (44 feet) high, with a small but charming temple
atop. The temple houses statues of Songtsen Gampo, his
wives and his chief ministers and monks who is taking
care of the tomb. Songtsen Gampo made an outstanding
reign and enjoyed so high a reputation among his people
that he was believed as a reincarnation of Chenrezi,
the Bodhisattva of Compassion, so his tomb is the grandest
one. According to history record, his tomb is very large,
having 9 chapels. The king was buried in the center
chapel while the other chapels hold voluminous treasures
of the king and sacrifice of men and horses. In accordance
with biography of a Tang dynasty official dispatched
to Tibet, men would be stabbed at ribs with sharpened
sticks as deceased kings' sacrifices. The king's body
was wrapped in gold foils and surrounded by gems. In
the tomb, the statues of Songtsen Gampo, Sakyamuni,
Chenrezi and other deities may be enshrined. The gate
of the tomb faces southwest, where is Sakyamuni's homeland,
to show the king's piety to Buddhism.
Before the tomb of king Tride Songsten, which is close
to that of Songtsen Gampo, there is a elegantly carved
stele on which Tride Songsten's merits and achievements
were inscribed. Another stele stands before the tomb
of king Trisong Detsen, who is deemed as the second
most outstanding king in Tibet, also reads the merits
and achievements of His Majesty. A couple of lions squat
at the graveyard, guarding the highest royal graveyard
in the world.
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