Mount Dora
Nestled amidst the mountains of the eastern Tibetan Plateau in Leiwuqi County, Changdu City, Tibet, stands a sacred mountain, Dola, a place of both natural beauty and religious sanctity. At an altitude of approximately 4,100 meters, it is only 10 kilometers from Leiwuqi County. A significant holy site in eastern Tibet where Bon religion and Tibetan Buddhism coexist, Dola is renowned for its numerous stone carvings, rich religious atmosphere, and lush, pristine landscape, making it a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
The natural scenery of Dola is both majestic and vibrant. The mountain range is undulating and steep yet teeming with life. Dense primeval forests cover the entire mountainside, with towering spruce and fir trees reaching for the clouds. In summer, the trees provide ample shade, and clear, sweet streams flow through the forest, nourishing the moss and wildflowers beneath. In autumn, the forests are ablaze with color, with red and yellow leaves intertwining with the verdant trees, creating a richly colored plateau painting. Wild animals such as blue sheep and Tibetan eared pheasants can often be spotted roaming the mountains, their calls and the sounds of birds and insects mingling with the murmur of streams, adding a vibrant natural atmosphere to the sacred mountain.
Religious and cultural relics are the soul of Mount Dola, most notably the countless stone carvings covering the mountainside. From the foot of the mountain to the summit, the rocks along the way are covered with exquisite Tibetan mantras and images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, including Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, and Padmasambhava. The carvings feature both Bon symbols and auspicious patterns from Tibetan Buddhism, their ancient and exquisite techniques remaining clearly legible despite the erosion of time, earning the mountain the reputation of "the Eastern Tibetan Stone Carving Art Corridor." Scattered throughout the mountains are layers of mani stones, their colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, forming a sacred religious landscape together with the stone carvings.
As a sacred mountain with a history spanning millennia, Mount Dola carries a profound spiritual heritage. Legend has it that this was a place of practice for high-ranking Bon and Tibetan Buddhist monks, and ancient meditation caves and temple ruins still remain. In the hearts of the local Tibetan people, Mount Dola is a sacred place that "can ward off disasters, bring blessings, and empower all beings." Every year in the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar, believers from surrounding areas, dressed in their finest attire, come to circumambulate the mountain, walking clockwise around it, chanting prayers and offering khatas (ceremonial scarves) along the way, creating a solemn and dignified scene. Dola Monastery, located along the circumambulation route, is the core pilgrimage site. Inside, butter lamps burn eternally, the sound of chanting fills the air, and the religious atmosphere is profound.
Today, Mount Dola retains its pristine and unspoiled appearance, untouched by excessive commercial development. Visitors can climb the circumambulation trails, enjoying the natural scenery and exploring the historical significance of the stone carvings; they can also sit quietly around the monastery, experiencing the purity and tranquility of faith. Here, there are no bustling crowds, only the grandeur of the sacred mountain, the serenity of the forest, and the devotion of faith, allowing every visitor to experience the unique charm and spiritual power of the eastern Tibetan Plateau in the fusion of nature and culture.