The Potala Palace in Tibet

Abstract

The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet is seen as a symbolic center of Buddhism. The specific architecture of the palace, such as the color palette and the rooms, is designed around Tibet's culture and religion, Buddhism. The architecture of the Potala Palace and the culture are interconnected as the color chosen for the palace relates with the history of Tibetan culture and the room designs relate closely to Buddhist practices. While culture has influenced the foundations of the Potala Palace’s architecture, the palace itself also affects Tibetan society since Tibetans center around the economy it created, which they can profit from while also celebrating their traditions. This paper researches the interweaving of the Potala Palace’s architecture, Buddhist spirituality, and Tibetan culture to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the history and religion rooted in a traditional Tibetan building and how that building acts as a microcosm for Tibetan society today.