Segoji Temple

Nestled at the foot of the Sewu Snow Mountain in Labupu Township, Namling County, Shigatse City, Tibet, at an altitude of approximately 4,700 meters, lies Sewu Monastery, a sacred temple carrying the millennia-old cultural heritage of the Bon religion. Located about 120 kilometers from Shigatse city, it rests at the foot of the perpetually snow-capped Sewu Snow Mountain, adjacent to the gently flowing Sewu Stream. It is not only one of the core sacred sites of the Yungdrung Bon religion in the Tsang region, but also a secluded paradise combining religious sanctuary with stunning highland scenery. In 2013, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The history of Sewu Monastery dates back to the 11th century, founded by the Bon master Nyenme Sherab Gyaltsen, nearly a thousand years ago. As one of the important birthplaces of the later propagation of Bon, the monastery has undergone centuries of renovation and expansion. Despite the vicissitudes of time, it has preserved the core structure of a Bon monastery, serving as a precious material resource for studying Bon history, doctrine, and architectural art. It holds an extremely high position in the hearts of Bon believers and is hailed as the "First Sacred Temple of Bon in Tsang." The monastery buildings are built into the mountainside, arranged in a terraced, staggered pattern, blending seamlessly with the terrain of Sewu Snow Mountain, showcasing the grandeur and exquisite craftsmanship of highland architecture. The core building, the main hall, is constructed of earth, stone, and wood. The walls, built of rammed earth and stone, are thick and sturdy, able to withstand the harsh winds of the plateau. The roof is covered with blue tiles, and the ridge is decorated with the iconic "Yungdrung" (swastika) symbol and auspicious animal sculptures of the Bon religion, symbolizing the "eternal and unchanging" core tenets of Bon. Inside, the beams and pillars are exquisitely carved, and the painted murals depict Bon creation myths and the life story of Shenrab Miwo, the colors vibrant and ancient, still clearly discernible after centuries. Gilded statues of Shenrab Miwo, the founder of Bon, and guardian deities are enshrined. Butter lamps burn perpetually, and the swirling incense smoke creates a solemn and dignified religious atmosphere.

Religious culture is the soul of Sewu Monastery. The monastery houses thousands of volumes of Bon scriptures, including handwritten copies, woodblock prints, and precious palm-leaf manuscripts from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Some of these scriptures record Bon's astronomical calendar and medical theories, possessing extremely high documentary value. The monastery also preserves the meditation caves and stupas of successive Bon monks, containing sacred objects representing their body, speech, and mind, serving as central points of pilgrimage for believers. Every year in the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar, the monastery holds the grand "Sewu Monastery Dharma Assembly," attracting devotees from the surrounding area dressed in their finest attire to circumambulate the mountain and pray for blessings. They also witness the distinctive Bon "Cham" dance, with its melodious chanting and fluttering prayer flags vividly portraying the Bon faith and culture.

The surrounding scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. The majestic Sewu Snow Mountain stands tall, its summit perpetually covered in snow, shimmering in the sunlight. At its foot, streams murmur, vegetation flourishes, and wildflowers bloom in summer, creating a harmonious highland sacred landscape with the ancient monastery architecture. Today, Serwu Monastery continues its thousand-year-old tradition through preservation. Despite its remote location, it retains a pure atmosphere of faith, attracting Bon believers and explorers alike. Strolling through the monastery, touching the mottled stone walls, listening to the distant chanting, and gazing at the sacred snow-capped mountains, one can feel the profound and rich Bon culture in the tranquility of the plateau.