Does Tibet produce saffron? Where is the Zizhu Monastery in Tibet?

Tibet is a mysterious place. The cultural heritage of Tibet includes Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Ganden Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Changzhu Monastery, etc. Among them, Potala Palace is the highest building complex in the world, Jokhang Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple with a history of more than 1,300 years, and Ganden Monastery is the most distinctive temple among the six major temples of the Yellow Sect, which was planned and built by the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. So does Tibet produce saffron? Where is the Zizhu Monastery in Tibet? Let's take a look at the introduction of Encyclopedia Knowledge Network!

Contents of this article

1. Does Tibet produce saffron?

2. Where is Zizhu Monastery located in Tibet?

3. What are the cultural heritages of Tibet?

4. Slavery in Tibet

Does Tibet produce saffron?

Tibet does not produce saffron, and the climate in Tibet is not suitable for growing saffron. Saffron is the upper part of the style and stigma of the crocus plant of the Iridaceae family. It is mainly distributed in southern European countries and Iran. There is a small amount of cultivation in my country, and the largest saffron production area is Chongming Island.

The minimum temperature for saffron to grow is around minus ten degrees Celsius, but the temperature difference in Tibet is relatively large, with the lowest temperature being minus twenty to thirty degrees Celsius.

In "Yi Lin Ji Yao", saffron is also called saffron. It is usually harvested on sunny mornings in September and October. After harvesting, it is dried to become dry saffron. If it is further processed to make it oily and shiny, it becomes wet saffron.

Chongming Island is the third largest island in my country. It is an alluvial island at the mouth of the Yangtze River at the eastern end of the Yangtze River Delta. The island has a flat terrain and fertile land, and is a famous land of fish and rice.

Where is Zizhu Monastery located in Tibet?

Zizu Monastery is located on Zizu Mountain in Dingqing County, Tibet, 37 kilometers away from Dingqing County, with an altitude of 4,800 meters. Zizu Monastery was first built in 3000 during the reign of the second Tibetan king, Muchi Zamp, and has been continuously repaired in later generations. In addition, Zizu Monastery has also established several monasteries and recruited students from outside.

1. Zizhu Mountain, Dingqing County

Zizu Temple is located on Zizu Mountain in Dingqing County, Tibet. The area has prominent peaks and steep altitudes. The highest point reaches 4,800 meters. It is 37 kilometers away from Dingqing County. Zizu Temple is the highest temple in Tibet and also one of the oldest temples.

2. Development History

The Zizhu Monastery was first built 3,000 years ago during the reign of the second Tibetan king, Muchi Zangpo. In 1926, classics such as the Sutra Collection and the Zongchi Sutra were unearthed at Zizhu Mountain. Although some damage occurred during the Cultural Revolution, it has now been basically restored.

3. Monastic teaching

Zizhu Monastery established several monasteries similar to schools, including the Zhacang School, the Neiming School, and the Debate School. The teaching content included not only Buddhism, but also geography, philosophy, medicine, etc. As its reputation spread, it gradually attracted many believers from the mainland.

What are the cultural heritages of Tibet?

1. Potala Palace

Tibet’s cultural heritage includes the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace is a national 5A tourist attraction and was listed as one of the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in 1961. It is currently the world’s highest and most magnificent architectural complex, and it is also the most complete architectural complex preserved in Tibet.

2. Jokhang Temple

The cultural heritage of Tibet includes the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. It has been expanded during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and has a history of more than 1,300 years. It also integrates the architectural styles of the Tang, India, Nepal and Tibet.

3. Ganden Monastery

Tibet's cultural heritage includes Ganden Monastery, which was planned and built by the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism and started in 1490. Ganden Monastery is the most distinctive of the six major monasteries of the Yellow Sect, and it has preserved many cultural relics and artworks since the Ming Dynasty.

Slavery in Tibet

The slavery system in Tibet refers to the feudal serfdom system. In the old society, serfs accounted for more than 90% of the population of Tibet, but they had almost no freedom in life and could only depend on the serf owners for a living. At that time, serfdom was the foundation for maintaining the rule of the aristocracy in Tibet, and it continued until the Tibetan national reform in 1959.

Serfdom in Tibet began in the 10th century, was generally established in the 13th century, and continued until the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It was abolished during the Tibetan Democratic Reform Movement in 1959.

The productivity level of Tibet's serfdom society was low, and agricultural production tools were crude. The main agricultural areas still used wooden plows and wooden hoes, with occasional iron plowshares and wooden plows. The harvest was only 4 to 5 times that of seeds.

Under the serfdom, local governments held 31% of the cultivated land, nobles held 30%, and monasteries held 39%. The local feudal government of Tibet, which combined politics and religion, had the power to grant land to nobles and monastery lords.