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and built of massive stone blocks, this 

 consists of large single-storied buildings 

 in rows, one behind another, like the 

 temples usually seen in China. 



The great Cho-kang was built by the 

 Chinese princess Wen-ch'eng, of the 

 Tang dynasty, who was married to the 

 Tibetan King Strong-tzan. It was she 

 who first introduced into Tibet Chinese 

 etiquette and manners and Hindoo liter- 

 ature, and taught the natives weaving 

 and agriculture. Tibetans respected and 

 loved her so devotedly that they had her 

 canonized after her death. Her image 

 was erected in this temple in memory 

 of her great kindness and wonderful 

 achievements. 



Every year, on her birthday, the fif- 

 teenth of the tenth month (Tbetan), 

 Tibetans come to this temple to perform 

 various religious ceremonies signifying 

 their undying gratefulness. On the same 

 day a lantern festival also is observed. 

 The whole city is illuminated with butter 

 lamps made in the shape of a Chinese 

 lady's shoe, the emblem of the mother of 

 Tibetan civilization. 



The most notable feature of this tem- 

 ple is an image of Buddha. It is 30 feet 

 high. The entire body is gold-plated and 

 inlaid with pearls, coral, turquoise, and 

 other kinds of precious stones (see page 

 971). The design of this extraordinary 

 work is so curious and elaborate that the 

 like of it can scarcely be imagined. So 

 difficult was the transportation of this 

 idol that the natives claim it was moved 

 to Tibet from China by the gods in a 

 night. 



A five-colored statue is set in the wall 

 of one of the rooms. It is said to have 

 been heaven born, not made by man. 



Numerous rats of monstrous size are 

 seen running through the halls or peep- 

 ing from behind the images. Supersti- 

 tion leads the people to worship them as 

 divine. 



Various kinds of ancient arms are also 

 found in the temple. The most interest- 

 ing of all are two bronze drums of the 

 Han dynasty and one big cannon of the 

 T'ang dynasty, with five characters cast 

 on it. These characters mean literally 

 "Majesty of the Imperial Power extin- 

 guished the rebellion." 



The so-called "Sanctuary" is in the 

 very innermost part of the temple. The 



