Interpreting Shannan's Prose

Note that it is easy for Tibetans to ignore Shannan, but Shannan cannot be ignored. The reason for neglect is simple. Shannan can't afford to play such fist scenic spots as Mount Everest and Yajiang Grand Canyon. The reason that cannot be ignored is also very simple. Shannan is the birthplace of Tibetan civilization, the first stop of Tibetan Buddhism and the prosperous place of Tubo Kingdom. Shannan was the political and cultural center of Tibet before Songtsan Gambu moved its capital to Lhasa.

Shannan, namely Shan Zhinan, is a vast fertile land south of Nyainqentanglha Mountain and Gangdise Mountain. Because of its relatively low altitude, mild climate and abundant precipitation, it has become a granary in Tibet. The Yarlung Zangbo River runs through the south and middle of the mountain. Like an enlightened monk, Yajiang has many incarnations. It raged in Shigatse, passing through Renbu to Nimu, with steep mountains and narrow rivers on both sides, and the scenery overshadowed the world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. Linzhi area is turbulent and ups and downs. Except for the Grand Canyon, the Yajiang River in Linzhi is as vast as Dongting, with water jumping and turbid waves emptying, which is unparalleled. Only in Shannan region did Yajiang relax Schumann most of the time, and his impatience disappeared without a trace. In Shigatse and Yajiang in Linzhi, there are wonderful flowers suitable for processing landscapes; In Yajiang, Shannan, he has his own spiritual wisdom and is better at creating culture. If we only go to Mount Everest and Linzhi to see the scenery and don't learn some culture in Shannan, then we will fail in Yajiang.

Zedang is the seat of Shannan administrative office. Shannan in a narrow sense refers to Zedang, sometimes called Naidong. Zedang is the "Garden of Eden" for Tibetans. It is in this humble place that the Tibetan people "created Genesis". Tibetan legends about the origin of human beings deserve anthropologists' attention. In my opinion, among the legends of human origins of all ethnic groups in the world, Tibetan stories are the most scientific and the closest to the truth.

Europeans say that man is made of clay by God. He pinched an Adam and then pulled a rib out of Adam to make Eve. As long as it is not mentally retarded, everyone knows that this is pure nonsense. The cleverness of the Han people lies in their ability to play dumb. They keep saying that Pangu opened the heavens and the earth, and the goddess filled the sky, but they don't know how people came. It seems that the heavens and the earth are open and they don't worry about getting people. Later, Darwin studied the evolution of human beings and came to a great conclusion that the ancestors of human beings were monkeys. Although there are some objections, they are basically widely recognized by people of all ethnic groups, colors and continents all over the world. In fact, it was Tibetans who first thought that the origin of human beings was related to monkeys. Moreover, what they said is more vivid, concrete and credible than Mr. Darwin.

Now let's listen to the story told by Tibetan compatriots. A long time ago, a handsome monkey was practicing, only to be seen by a witch in Luo Cha. Witches are in adolescence, and when they see handsome monkeys, they can't help flirting with them. The handsome monkey practiced for many years and was unmoved for a while. At that time, there were many wild animals in the forest, so the witch thought the lion was too selfish and only thought about his own throne; Black bears are too ugly and boring; Wild boar snores loudly and can't sleep at night; The tiger is too fierce, afraid that he can't stand it; The jackal has no cultivation and is afraid of domestic violence; The rabbit is too short to stand her own toss ... After thinking about it, her favorite is the monkey. What's annoying is that the monkey should practice to make him look like a bear. Witches are not vegetarians. She has been circling around the handsome monkey. Monkeys used to be lewd, but they couldn't stand the witch's soft grinding and hard foam. When the witch turned to the seventh day, the handsome monkey's practice for several years was ruined. In order to marry a witch, he traveled a long way and got a marriage certificate from Guanyin in Putuo Mountain. The witch got pregnant soon. To her surprise and the handsome monkey's surprise, what she gave birth to was neither like a monkey nor a demon. She has no hair except her hair, and her face is red. This is the original "person".

Why do I say that Tibetan legends about the origin of human beings are closest to the truth? There are three reasons. First, as mentioned above, Tibetans first saw the inheritance relationship between humans and monkeys. Secondly, Tibetans are the first to understand eugenics. The hybrid of monkeys and witches gave birth to human beings, and this imagination is full of the light of science and wisdom. Darwin's theory of evolution says that man evolved from monkeys. First, he walks upright, and then. All this may be true, but in the long process of becoming human, isn't there a little romantic external force to help monkeys? For example, after a monkey crosses with an animal, it speeds up the progress from crawling on all fours to walking upright, or suddenly loses its thick body hair. I think it's entirely possible. Thirdly, Tibetan legends about the origin of human beings have the seeds of ethics. The theory that God created man gives God too much power. He wants to create it. If he wants, he can take a rib. He wants to drive Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. This fiction is too obvious and unreasonable. According to Tibetan legend, a monkey has to go to Wan Li far away and ask the permission of Guanyin to marry a witch. I dare say that this gender culture was absolutely the most advanced at that time.

This legend also reveals three things about Tibetans. First, Tibetans are an intelligent people, and their culture is as profound as that of the Han nationality. Second, Tibetans are a rigorous and orderly nation; Third, Tibetans are born with a strong belief.

Yongbulakang is a symbol of Shannan, just as Potala Palace is a symbol of Lhasa. When Qiu Lin, director of Shannan Tourism Bureau, and the poet Gao Shan Xueying brought me to her, my first feeling was that I should bow. Close my eyes slightly, and my heart slipped in front of her in the hot sun. For such a building that has stood in the wind and rain for more than 2200 years, when you look at her, you will feel that there is a sacred glory hanging over your whole body.

More than two thousand years ago, although there were primitive religions, Bonism and nomadic tribes in Tibet, there was no unified kingdom. In other words, Tibet at that time was not ruled by man, but by heaven. Tibetans are afraid of the forces of nature, so they invent all kinds of ghosts and gods to scare themselves. The more you scare yourself, the greater the power of nature. This is a vicious circle.

Tibetans with extremely immature minds need someone to save them at this time. One day in 237 BC, a handsome young man suddenly appeared in the western hills of Zantang Gallery. People thought it was strange and asked him where he was from. He remained silent and pointed to the sky. The man who was crazy about the leader was overjoyed and thought he was the son of the gods, so he carried him down the mountain with his neck and asked him to be king. He became the first Tibetan king Nie Chizamp in Tibetan history.

The palace is a symbol of kingship. So Nie Chizamp built the first palace in Tibetan history-Yongbulakang on the mountain the next day in Tashi. Perhaps the productivity is still underdeveloped and the national strength is too weak; Perhaps the king and the court haven't learned luxury yet, and Yongbulakang was built in moderation. She may be one of the smallest palaces in the world. However, her momentum and temperament are indescribable magnificent, and even the Potala Palace on Marbury Mountain will give her three points.

Yongbulakang pioneered the construction of a palace on the top of the mountain in Tibet, and created a Tibetan architectural style integrating palaces, temples, bunkers and houses. Later, the Potala Palace and Shan Zong Castle in Gyangze followed her style. I even suspect that medieval castles in Europe, especially Gothic buildings, may have been inspired by Yong Bracan. What surprises me most is that there is a cloister with a patio behind the second floor, which is full of the charm of Jiangnan folk houses. The depth and breadth of cultural exchanges between ancient nations may be unimaginable now.

Standing on the watchtower of Yongbulakang, the uniform and patchwork farmland in Yalong River basin looks like a huge brocade. No matter how vast the sky is, or how far the mountains stretch, there are vicissitudes of river valleys and quiet villages, all living in their proper positions; Every color, including different levels in each color, is so lively, self-disciplined, bright', simple, flying, deep, bright, low-key ... * * * isomorphic into wordless beauty. I am most glad that I am not a painter, otherwise I can only sigh when I see such a scene.

It is said that Princess Wencheng and Songzan Gambu only lived a happy life for ten years, but later they fell out of favor because of their age and fading. Princess Wencheng, who deeply loves Songzan Gambu, did not adopt the provocative strategy of importuning and roaring, but rationally retreated to Shannan. She is in the place where Songtsan Gampo started, and misses the good times they spent together. She lived in a small and old palace in Yongbulakang, and slowly rolled up a legendary woman who was once beautiful, beautiful and intelligent. Princess Wencheng, you are a picture scroll that will never fade in the history of Tibet and even China.

At the foot of Yongbulakang, there is the first farmland and the first village in Tibetan history, which shows that Tibet's transition from nomadic people to agricultural society began here. Shannan is also the first stop of Tibetan Buddhism. Just now I said that Nie Chizamp became the first generation Zampa of Tubo because he could not speak. In a blink of an eye, it is the 27th generation of Zampa, called Latorini Nianzan.

One day, Rato Riyanzan was taking a lunch break on the roof of Yongbulakang and announced that someone was visiting. At first, an Indian came to Tibet to preach, Lausanne Cuo. However, due to the language barrier and the rampant Bonism, Lausanne Cuo was deeply disappointed and prepared to return to China. He wants to leave his things in Tibet. What are these things? One is a Tantric classic, the other is a stupa, the other is the practice of Tantric practice, and the other is the famous six-character mantra "Amitabha". Rato Rizanne can't understand these things, but he is a man with awe. He not only accepted them, but also regarded them as sacred. A miracle happened! In his 80 s, Rato Rizan, who was exhausted, had long hair and teeth and regained his youth. He lived to 120 years old in one breath. The emergence of "mysterious things" has made Buddhism take root in Tibet. In the 7th century AD, the wise Songtsan Gampo sent people to India to study Sanskrit, and then created Tibetan on the basis of Sanskrit. These mysterious things were revealed to the world, which turned out to be the first batch of Buddhist classics introduced into Tibet. Tibetans are mainly nomadic, few people can read, and even fewer people can read classics. They thought of two good ways. First, they wrote scriptures on banners and tied them to roofs, hillsides and bridges. When the wind blows, flags hunt, much like chanting, and Tibetans give the task of chanting to the wind. However, it seems that they are too lazy to give it to the wind completely. They can't understand it, but they have to express it anyway. Fortunately, Rosanco has brought them six-character mantra. The second method is to avoid going to hell after death and get bliss as long as you recite the six-character mantra. Let's not laugh at our Tibetan compatriots. Han people are lazier than them. We only need to say four words "Amitabha", and they have read at least six words. Moreover, our four words are as smooth as tongue twisters. You can't practice without some effort.

Before entering Tibet, I heard that Sanye Temple was the first temple in Tibetan history, and Changzhu Temple was also the first. I just want to know who is the first. Finally, I found out in Shannan that Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Temple was built in the year when Princess Wencheng married Songzan Gambu (AD 64 1 year), but it was very small at that time, with only one Buddhist temple. Samye Temple, built in 775, is the first Buddhist and Buddhist temple in Tibet. Judging from the construction time, Changzhu Temple is obviously the first one. But from the temple's point of view, Sanye Temple should be said to come from behind. The structure of Changzhu Temple is very similar to Jokhang Temple. However, it can't be said that Jokhang Temple copied Changzhu Temple, but Changzhu Temple copied Jokhang Temple, because Changzhu Temple can be what it is now, at least after14th century. I think the reason why future generations want to expand the Changzhutan Temple into Jokhang Temple is mainly to commemorate the godlike woman-Princess Wencheng.

Jokhang Temple shows Princess Wencheng's intelligence. After Princess Wencheng went to Lhasa with Songzan Gambu, she still likes to return to the Yalong River valley, live in Changzhu Temple, and farm and play with people here. There is a local folk song: "The handsome young sister is dressed like a wonderful flower, and the person who brings the gem is Sister Sa Jia." Sister Sa Jia is a nickname for Princess Wencheng by Tibetans. The death of Princess Wencheng is a heavy blow to Tibetan compatriots. Such a good woman will die, which greatly shakes the Tibetan people's belief in life and makes them believe in Buddhism more. They built a temple for the princess and tried their best to leave her relics. Changzhu Temple left a copper basin for her to wash her face and make up, and put this copper basin in Guanyin Hall, which also reflected the Tibetans' high affirmation of Princess Wencheng. There are Tangka embroidered by Princess Wencheng in Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Temple. I haven't heard that Songzan Gambo has used anything in all parts of Tibet, but Princess Wencheng has used it everywhere. There are stone benches where the princess sat in Jokhang Temple, Linzhi and trees planted by the princess herself, and so on. People in Xizang's contribution to Princess Wencheng is in mind, and his yearning for the beautiful goddess is real and eternal.

Another theme of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan is Guanyin. The first treasure in the temple is Guanyin Thangka, which is a "treasure-class" cultural relic. This Thangka is a picture of Guanyin's rest made by Naidong Empress at the end of Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of Ming Dynasty. The Guanyin statue on Thangka is inlaid with 29,927 small pearls. What interests me most is not its craft, but its content. What really shocks me is that I further believe that Tibetans are a more lovely nation than Han people. Please don't worry, listen to my analysis.

I have been thinking, as Buddhists, what is the difference between Tibetan Buddhism and Central Plains Buddhism? What is the biggest difference between the two? I have my own answer. I am not a religious expert, but as a scholar who is interested in religion, I feel and appreciate it. In my opinion, the biggest feature of Tibetan Buddhism is that it is an idealistic religion, and the reincarnation of life and death is its core idea. In this life, the light is heavy, and the heavy is penance. Generally speaking, Tibetan families have no savings, and all the money is donated to temples. Therefore, Tibetan Buddhism has more religious significance. In contrast, Buddhism in the Central Plains is much more realistic. Believers worship Buddha, burn incense and kowtow, with clear goals, seek wealth, promotion and peace of mind, and even pursue returns by doing some charity work. Karma is the core idea of Buddhism in the Central Plains, which emphasizes the afterlife, generally pursues hedonism and is more utilitarian.

However, there are still similarities between the two, and they both attach great importance to Guanyin Bodhisattva. It is strange that Guanyin is an unknown male bodhisattva in the Indian Buddhist system; However, once in China, Guanyin was not only transformed into a goddess, but also became a Tathagata. I think Guanyin's position in Tibet is still deeply influenced by the Central Plains, which is also the best annotation of the integration of Tibet and the mainland. But Guanyin is really hard in mainland China. At that time, there was no People's Liberation Army and no modern management department. Fighting floods, dealing with earthquake relief, dealing with traffic accidents, family planning, inspecting cadres, punishing evil and promoting good, social welfare, etc. , all rely on a Guanyin iron shoulder to bear morality and ward off evil spirits. Although Guanyin is not a god, God also needs to rest, not to mention that she is a changed goddess. This is the selfishness or unlovable of the Han people. In order to covet their own safety and wealth, they made Guanyin work hard. If they are lucky, they will realize the wishes of the laity. It's strange that if you are unlucky or too busy, you can't cross your face before your wish comes true.

But Tibetans receive Guanyin, and the treatment is different. They don't need Guanyin to take care of those details. You can sit or stand, and let us worship you. We recognize the suffering in this life, which is equivalent to our college entrance examination time. Please invigilate, and don't record our heterodox hell after the exam. Considering that there are too many candidates, Guanyin should not only invigilate, but also read papers and be responsible for admission. Too many tasks and too hard work, so they tried to give her a chance to rest. In this picture of Guanyin resting in Thangka, we can see that Guanyin is cheerful, elegant and lively. No matter from which angle, her charming big eyes always look at you.

I believe the real Guanyin is like this.