1. Full View of the Giant Thangka on the Hillside.
The Giant Thangka comes out only at Losar (Tibetan New Year). Resting on its special concrete stage, permanently built on the hillside near the Labrang Monastery, thousands of people attend the ceremony. “Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony” (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
2. A Closer Look at the Exquisite Appliqué.
“Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony” (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
3. Draping the Thangka
Upon lowering the drape, one side got stuck. The monks had to come up with a way to loosen it without stepping on the Thangka, which they did. “Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony” (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
4. Securing the Covering
“Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony” (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
5. Fully Covered; Ready to Lower.
“Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony” (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
6. The lowering of the Thangka begins
The monks on the top carefully hold the ropes, lowering in coordination with the monks on the bottom who are rolling it. Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
7. Rolling the Giant Thangka
The monks on the bottom roll the layers of heavy fabric while the monks on the top assure a slow and even lowering. “Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony” (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
8. The Lowering is Nearly Complete.
Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015
9. The Procession back to the Monastery
Rolled compactly, the Thangka is carried on the shoulders of hundreds of Monks, accompanied by horseback riders, and will await another year to see the sun. Sunning of the Buddha Ceremony (Monlam Festival)- Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province. PRC (Amdo) 2015