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Founded in the late 10th century CE, Khorchag monastery in Purang, Western Tibet (Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, PR China), is one of the three earliest Buddhist monasteries of historical Western Tibet and, due to its ancient sacred artistic heritage, renowned all over Tibet. The detailed visual documentation of the architecture, wall-paintings, sculptures and ritual paraphernalia extant in Khorchag, as well as the intimate visual documentation of ritual and festival traditions, provides rich and to a large degree new information and substantial study material for visitors and students of this important place. Most of this material is recorded, presented and discussed in this volume for the first time. Including oral and written accounts of relationships in pre-modern periods as well as reports on recent achievements in preserving and restoring specific religious and cultural traditions, this volume gives an overview of the history, socio-economic organisation, building structure, art history and religious traditions of this monastery. It also provides insight into the cultural heritage of the village population, such as local song and dance traditions and performances of religious plays.

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