I regret not coming here earlier, the Jokhang Temple is so stunning!
I was hesitant because I was worried about altitude sickness. Today I finally went to the Jokhang Temple in Tibet and I really regretted it!
I regret not coming here earlier. Tibet is remote and mysterious, and it is a holy place that purifies the souls in the hearts of countless people. With awe and expectation, I came to this world shrouded by the light of faith.
In the early morning, when the sky was dimly lit, I walked towards the Jokhang Temple. Before getting close, the scent of mulberry smoke in the air hits you in the face, carrying with it a pious atmosphere. The golden roof of the Jokhang Temple shines in the dim light, and the crimson walls are filled with the weight of time.
We were not allowed to enter the Jokhang Temple Square until 8:30. We thought we were too early, but unexpectedly there was already a long queue at the entrance. When we entered the square, the crowd of people circumambulating the temple had already been like a slowly flowing river, walking along the cobblestone road of Barkhor Street, turning the prayer wheels over and over again.
I gently merged into it, imitating the Tibetan grandmother next to me, touching the prayer wheel with my right hand, letting it rotate slowly in the clockwise direction. The exquisite carvings on the prayer wheel and the luster created by the years seemed to be telling an ancient story. With every turn, you can seem to hear the whispering of scriptures chanting in the wind. At that moment, the hustle and bustle of the world seems to be isolated by an invisible barrier.
Beside me, there are old men in traditional Tibetan robes, their steps are unsteady but firm, they are twisting the prayer beads in their hands, muttering something in the secret language to talk to the gods; there are young Tibetan guys with blazing eyes and upright posture, integrating the vitality of youth into this solemn ceremony; there are also children of a few years old, who follow the adults ignorantly, their little hands learning to touch the prayer wheels like the adults, their innocent faces seeming to have their own Buddha light in the morning light.
As I walked along, I saw the colorful yet weathered murals on the walls. The statues of gods looked down upon all living beings with mercy, and their majesty remained undiminished after years of wind and rain. They have witnessed the worship of countless generations and carried the wishes of countless people.
On the prayer path, you can occasionally meet believers prostrating themselves on the ground. They put their hands together and raise them above their heads, then to their mouths and hearts, and then prostrate themselves on the ground, tapping their foreheads lightly on the stone slabs. That series of movements is smooth and without any hesitation. Each prostration is the most sincere delivery of faith. I couldn't help but moisten my eyes for this pure perseverance and this shock that hits my soul.
After coming out of the Jokhang Temple, my mind is still immersed in the sacred atmosphere and it is difficult to extricate myself. Shocking, at this moment faith is silent but deafening. Looking at their devout figures worshipping, I couldn't stop crying. At this moment, it was not because of sadness, but the shock that went straight to my soul, which made me realize how small human beings are and how great faith is.
Unable to contain my inner excitement, I couldn't wait to walk towards the Tianshang Post Office. The post office is not big, but it has its own charm because of its unique regional customs. I bought a postcard with the pattern of the Potala Palace on it, sat at the long table, picked up a pen, and a thousand words came to my mind.
I wrote to my best friend far away: "My dear friend, I am in Tibet right now, sitting in a post office next to the Potala Palace, but my heart seems to be filled with the strong wind of the plateau. I just came back from the Jokhang Temple after circumambulating the temple, which was a baptism of the soul. I saw how the power of faith is embodied in the actions of every Tibetan, who spend their entire lives pursuing and persevering. Along the way, I feel more and more that there are too many pure beauties in life that we have overlooked, just like the blue sky here, which is unstained by dust. I hope you can also set foot on this land as soon as possible and feel this shock. When I return, I will definitely talk to you all night about everything here."
The letter to myself reads: "The sunshine in Lhasa is very warm, warm enough to dispel all the haze in my heart. When I walked into the Jokhang Temple, I finally understood why so many people yearn for Tibet. It is a desire to return to their spiritual home. I saw the persistence of people of different ages in their beliefs, and the confusion and impetuousness on my own growth path became so insignificant. Dear self, may you always be free and happy."
When I gently put the postcard into the mailbox and listened to the slight "clang" sound, it seemed as if my thoughts in Tibet were still being transmitted to my lover far away.
Back to the hotel, sitting in the cafe, drinking sweet tea, the experience of the morning lingered in my mind. The process of circumambulating the Jokhang Temple and sending a letter at the post office was like planting a seed in my heart, which absorbed the spiritual nourishment of Tibet. No matter where I am in the future, as long as I think of this circumambulation path in the morning light and this post office carrying my thoughts, a power will surge in my heart. That is the gift of life, faith and love that Tibet has given me, and it will shine forever in the sky of my soul.