Xiaojinwa Hall

Xiaojinwa Hall, in the northeast of Ta’er Monastery, is smaller than Dajinwa Hall but has delicate structure, covering area of 1,127㎡ with two tier. It is the protector hall in Ta’er Monastery and enshrined with statue of Major Deity Protector.

Xiaojinwa Hall was built in 1692(Qing Dynasty) by 17th Chief Dangcai Losangdoji. After the building was completed, Major Deity Protector was moved in from Maitreya Buddha Hall and regulated that on every April 6 the Protector be prayed for patrolling. In 1809, the roof was paved with gilded bronze tiles and was as beautiful as Dajinwa Hall.

In 1822 and 1826, it was rebuilt and enlarged. The Hall is enshrined with statues of Five Warriors: Body, Speech, Will, Wisdom and Virtue Warriors.

It is said that the Five Warriors are responsible for protecting Buddhism and have great power. They supervise the monks’ devotion and expel evils. The mural is about the Five Warriors’ incarnation of monks holding staff and wearing cassock, soldiers taking sword and shield and wearing armor, officials, devils even beasts. The features are angry, aggressive and terrible.

Xiaojinwa Hall is integrated with art style of Han and Tibet. The copper mirror with special decoration made from hemp hung on the out side of the wall. On the top tier is displayed animal specimen of wild ox, antelope, monkey, chimpanzee, tiger, leopard, black bear, etc. It is said that these symbol the Warriors power of overmaster all the devils.

In front of center statue of Protector, are displayed weapons like sword, bow and arrow and beasts like tiger and wolf. On the left side is the model of horse ridden by 9th Panchen from Tibet to Ta’er Monastery. On the top tier stands the statue of Lianhuashen, a master of Buddhism. In the court are two big copper censers in the shape of lion, built in 1836. An inscribed horizontal board made in 1813 is hung over the hall. There are also masks and holy items using in dancing for expelling devils in it.

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