This section focuses on the three oldest temples all con-taining clay sculptures as main idols. These are the Assembly Hall or Dukhang (’Du-khang), the Three-storeyed Temple or Sumtseg (gSum-brtsegs) and the Mañjusri Temple or Jampa Lhakhang (’Jam-dpal lHa-khang).
These buildings are attributable to the period dating from approximately the mid-dle of the 12th century to the early 13th century.
In addition, the monastic complex at Alchi preserves other early chörten and temples built during the 13th and 14th century. The two earliest chörten of the latter, the Great Chörten (Great Stupa) and the Small Chörten were built immediatly after the Sumtseg and corroborate an early 13th-century date for the Alchi Sumsteg.
Among the other temples, the Translator`s Temple or
Lotsaba Lhakhang (Lo-tsà-ba lHa-khang) and New Temple or Lhakhang Soma (Lha-khang So-ma) are noteworthy. In addition, there are at least three other chörten in Alchi which contain early paintings.

At the centre of the complex is the Dukhang with a courtyard in front of it. The Sumtseg to to the left is easily to recognizable from the three niches housing the monumental Bodhisattvas. The Manjusri Temple to the right has a central throne with the four Manjusris seated on it, and now forms a common structure with the Translatore`s Temple to
its left. All the temples face roughly south-east. The Small Chörten is directly opposite the Sumtseg while the Great Chörten stands slightly apart from the other buildings.

Text: “Buddhist Sculpture in Clay”, Christian Luczanits, Chicago 2004
Fotos: Holger Neuwirth / Carmen Auer