An imposing array of valuable cultural relics on display at the Sagya Monastery in Lhasa prove that Tibet became part of China in the Yuan Dynasty and has remained under the administration of the central government of China since then.

According to the historical records kept by the monastery, Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, asked Phags-pa, head of the Sagya Monastery, to be his spiritual guide, or a senior official of the central government, after he created the Yuan Dynasty in 1271.

In an interview on May 14, Lozhub Jaco, an abbot of the monastery, showed reporters a fresco depicting a meeting between Kublai Khan and Phags-pa. Though the fresco has worn with time, the picture can be seen clearly.

“Prior to the historical meeting, Sapan Kongah Gyaincain, the fourth chief of the Sakya Sect, spoke with the grandson of Genghis Khan, Emperor Taizu of the Yuan Dynasty, on details about Tibet’s merger with China,” said Lozhub Jaco.

Sapan’s letter calling all sect members to obey orders from the Yuan Dynasty was recently placed on the “top protection list” of the Tibet Museum. The words, “Paying tributary sincerely and quite willing to be loyal subjects”, can be seen clearly.  

Built in 1073, the Sakya Monastery, located 450 km west of Lhasa, is well-known for its large collection of Buddhist scriptures, valuable porcelain and vivid wall paintings dating back to nearly 1,000 years ago.

The most valuable objects in its collection are ancient vases presented by emperors of different periods of the Yuan Dynasty to the leader of the Sakya sect. Other valuables include a jade bowl, a gold-plated Buddha, a gold seal and imperial shoes.

Other exhibits on display at the Tibet Museum show that the Yuan Dynasty divided Tibet into 3 military areas with 15 districts.

The museum contains letters of appointments of Tibetan officials by emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as well as certificates and seals granted to Dalai and Panchan lamas by emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

It also holds a picture showing the crowning ceremony of the 14th Dalai Lama presided over by the Kuomintang Government officials in 1940 as well as documents on the peaceful liberation of Tibet between the central government of the People’s Republic of China and the local government of Tibet in 1951.

Xerab Nyima, a Tibetan scholar, said it is irrefutable fact that Tibet has not been separate from the motherland since it came under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty 700 years ago.