A PLACE, A STORY / Xining
Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Temple)
Temple roofs and courtyards gather in Xining’s Huangzhong district. Kumbum is associated with Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug tradition.
Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Resized and compressed. · Original source · License
Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Resized and compressed. · Original source · License
Kumbum, also known as Ta’er Temple, is associated with the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is known for murals, raised embroidery and sculpture made from butter: different materials used to give religious stories visible form. Even an exterior photograph offers smaller details to explore, from layered roofs to decorative patterns. Choose a colour or repeated shape with a companion, then use that observation as a starting point for learning.
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