What is the Jowo Rinpoche Statue?
The Jowo Rinpoche Statue is one of Tibet’s most significant religious icons.  In the seventh century, the original statue in Lhasa was brought to Tibet by King Songtsen Gampo’s Chinese wife, Princess Wencheng. The statue, a life size image of Buddha Shakyamuni, is especially revered since according to legend, it was built during Buddha’s life. The statue has resided for hundreds of years in its own temple in Lhasa. To millions of Tibetan Buddhists, the Jowo Rinpoche statue is a source of profound blessings, considered to bestow freedom from fear and suffering on those who view it with devotion.  It’s been called the Wish Fulfilling Jewel, for its ability to grant those who pray to it their deepest wishes.  Traditionally Tibetans make pilgrimages to Lhasa in order to view the statue once in their lifetime, to receive the benefits of viewing an image said to quicken the seekers path to Enlightenment.

In a more general context, the statue is a source of blessing for practitioners of all faiths and it is a visual manifestation of innate goodness that all can respond to. More immediately, given the current plight of Sino-Tibetan relations, the arrival of the Jowo Shakyamuni statue comes at an opportune moment for Lama Sonam's vision of dialog between diverse groups and peaceful resolution to problems at all levels.

About the Jokhang Institute

The Jokhang Institute was founded May 30th of 2008 by Ven. Lama Konchok Sonam to aid in the preservation of the living tradition of Tibetan culture and spirituality, and to provide a multi-level educational base for both the Tibetan population and the wider community at large.

The richness and diversity of Tibet cannot be stated deeply enough—however, this culture is teetering on extinction. It is with this in mind that the Jokhang Institute will be able to provide educational initiatives for language and arts study, spirituality, historical research, and other facets of Tibetan civilization. Learn more.

To that end, the institute will bring together scholars, researchers, and students from all walks of life whose interests touch on or are informed by Tibetan history and its contributions to humanity.

• Compassionate Activities (enthusiasm)

• Loving Kindness  (Caring for others who are suffering)

• Peace (tranquility / feeling satisfied)

• Wisdom