The Nyingma Sanctuary of the Grasslands: Maiwa Monastery and the World's Tallest Peace Pagoda

The "Universal Great Compassion" of the Grasslands

1.Located in Amukehe: Township, approximately 26 kilometers from the county seat of Hongyuan County in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Maiwa Monastery (Maiwa Si) stands as the largest monastery of the Nyingma (Red Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism in the northwestern Sichuan grasslands. Known fully as "Wanxiang Daci Falun Zhou" (Universal Great Compassion Dharma Wheel Continent), the monastery is situated in a landscape revered for its geomantic perfection: the mountain behind resembles a crouching elephant, the Amukehe River in front coils like a green dragon, the hill to the east dances like a lion, and the ridge to the west spreads its wings like a golden roc. Unlike the bustling tourist sites, Maiwa Monastery retains a profound sense of solemnity and tranquility, where the morning mist of the grasslands blends with the smoke of burning juniper branches and the deep resonance of monks chanting, creating a spiritual sanctuary that cleanses the soul of every visitor.

A History from Tents to Golden Roofs

2.The history of Maiwa: Monastery is a testament to the resilience of faith in the nomadic regions. Its origins trace back to 1646, initially established as a mobile "tent temple" that moved with the Maiwa nomadic tribe. It wasn't until 1940 that the monastery laid its permanent foundations in Amukehe, ending its history as a wandering sanctuary. The monastery faced destruction during the Cultural Revolution but was magnificently rebuilt between 1982 and 1993 under the guidance of the 10th Panchen Lama and the revered Gyayang Xila Jianzan Rinpoche (Xila Dharma King). Today, the complex covers a vast area, featuring a grand Mahavira Hall (Great Sutra Hall) that spans over 6,000 square meters. This three-story structure, with its golden roof and red walls, houses nine giant gilded copper statues, including a magnificent central statue of Padmasambhava, along with tens of thousands of smaller Buddha statues and ancient thangkas, representing the pinnacle of modern Nyingma architecture.

The World's Tallest Peace Pagoda

3.The crowning jewel of Maiwa: Monastery is the Peace Pagoda (Heping Ta), also known as the Great Bodhi Stupa. Rising to a staggering height of 127 meters, it holds the title of the world's tallest of its kind. The pagoda is a massive architectural feat, with a base circumference of 252 meters and a total floor area of 16,000 square meters. Inside, it contains 404 distinct halls and is adorned with over 10,000 murals and thangkas. Built over 15 years, this towering structure symbolizes the grand aspiration for world peace and the elimination of war and disaster. Climbing to the top of the pagoda offers visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the boundless grasslands and distant snow-capped mountains, a visual representation of the harmony between the heavens, the earth, and the spiritual realm.

A Corridor of Prayers and Living Faith

Surrounding the monastery complex is a spectacular Prayer Wheel Corridor that stretches for over 2 kilometers. Lined with thousands of golden prayer wheels, it is one of the longest of its kind, where sunlight filters through to illuminate the spinning brass cylinders. Devout pilgrims and monks walk clockwise along this corridor day and night, their rhythmic footsteps and the whirring of wheels creating a meditative atmosphere. Outside the main hall, two rows of white pagodas stand like silent sentinels, adding to the sacred aura. The monastery is not just a relic but a living center of learning, housing a Five Sciences Buddhist Academy with over a thousand monks. During major religious festivals, such as the Devil Dance in the first lunar month or the Dharma Wheel Festival in the sixth month, the monastery comes alive with mask dances (Cham), Guozhuang dances, and grand rituals, offering visitors a deep dive into the vibrant culture of the Amdo Tibetans and the mystical traditions of the Nyingma sect.