Mountain behind Tashilunpo. Tashilunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lamas, was founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama on the slopes of Dolmani hill, west of the fortress of Zhigatse Dzong. The Panchen Lama is the second highest-ranking lama (spiritual leader) after the Dalai Lama, also believed to be an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha (the Buddha of Limitless Light, a Buddha who possesses infinite meritorious qualities), while the Dalai Lama is revered as the human embodiment of the of the patron deity of Tibet who symbolizes compassion. The original building, the assembly hall, was built above a sacred sky-burial site, the stone slab of which is still to be seen on the floor within. On these mountains, the Tibetan custom of sky-burial is the most popular means of disposing of the dead. During three days following the moment of death, the body of the deceased should be left untouched and everything is done to accumulate merit on behalf of the deceased, and to ensure his or her future well-being. The disposal of the body is generally regarded as a separate, lesser matter. Sky-burial, in which the corpse is dismembered, the inner organs removed, the flesh cut into shreds, and the bones crushed and mixed with