Assembly Hall
A wall at the entrance to the assembly hall or main prayer hall depicts murals of the Tibetan calendar with the Bhavacakra –the Wheel of Life. This wheel has insignia images of a snake, a bird and a pig that signify ignorance, attachment, and aversion. The purpose of this depiction is meant to remind that these earthly ties need to be overcome in order to get enlightenment in life and to prevent the cycle of death and rebirth.
The main prayer room next to this wall has many handwritten and painted books. Behind this prayer hall is the small inner sanctum of the Buddha flanked by Bodhisattvas, Manjushri to the right and Maitreya to the left. The assembly hall also has an image of the 11 headed Avalokitesvara with Padmasambhava. The centre of the assembly hall has a seat for the Dalai Lama and to its right, for the head lama and to its left, another deity is pictured. The hall also has murals of the deities Mahakala and Dukar. 225 volumes of the text Tangyur, wrapped in silk - are stored in wooden shelves in the hall.
Read more about this topic: Thikse Monastery, Structure
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