Beijing - Yonghegong Temple
Yonghegong
Buddhist Temple
Yonghegong Temple Photo Gallery (Downloadable Pictures)
At the northeast corner of Beijing City the traveler will
find an elegant and ancient temple known as the Yonghe
Lamasery, which is the largest and most perfectly preserved
lamasery in present day China.
Built initially in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty, this
building was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was
just a prince. However, in 1744 the Qing Dynasty formally
changed the status of the dwelling to that of a lamasery,
and so Yonghe Lamasery became the national centre of Lama
administration.
The following details describe the main buildings inside the
Lamasery.
On arrival at the south end of Yonghe Lamasery, the visitor
will enter a yard which contains a screen wall and three
Paifangs (Gateways), and will observe the red walls and
stone lions, symbols which show that this Lamasery was
originally the dwelling of an Imperial Family member.
Entering north from the Gateways, the visitor will be
confronted by a wide straight road which was used for the
carriages of the emperors and their wives during the Qing
Dynasty (1644 - 1911). At the northern end of this road is
Zhaotaimen (Gate of Peace Declaration), which comprises
three large archways, the central one of which was for the
exclusive use of the emperors.
Passing through Zhaotai Gate the visitor will enter the
second yard which contains a Drum Tower on the western side
and a Bell tower on the eastern side, and in front of these
towers are two octagonal Stele Pavilions. Words by Emperor
Qianlong were carved in the stele explaining the traditional
and historical reasons that dwellings formerly used by
Imperial Family members must later be changed to temples.
Yonghe Gate, originally the main entrance to the Lamasery is
now called Devaraja Hall (Hall of the Heavenly Kings), as
there are the statues of four very powerful Heavenly Kings
located on both sides of the inner palace walls. The
northern Heavenly King on the eastern side holds a snake and
treasures; the southern King on the eastern side holds an
umbrella and a silver mouse; the southern one on the western
side holds a sword and the northern one on the western side
holds a Pipa (a musical instrument used in ancient China).
Located in the centre of the Palace is a smiling Maitreya.
On departing Devaraja Hall the visitor will immediately
observe an ancient copper cooking vessel made in 1747 during
the Qing Dynasty. This vessel, which appears to be black
with white marble stone as its seat, has high artistic value
and is among 'the three rarest things in Beijing '. Six
doors are inset into the upper part of the vessel, with two
dragons playing with a ball cast on the doors, and there are
three lions playing with a ball engraved on the seat. On the
northern side of the vessel is the Great Stele Pavilion with
the doors open on each of its four sides. Words by Emperor
Qianlong of Qing in the stele inform of the origin and
meaning of Lamaism. To the north of this Pavilion is an
odd-shaped hill called Xuyu Hill, a sacred place of rich
religious meaning which was built in the middle of a pool,
and represents a place to which all Buddhists are eager to
go.
Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonghegong) is the main palace of
Yonghe Lamasery and inside three bronze Buddhas are
displayed - Sakyamuni in the middle, Kasyapa-matanga on the
right and Maitreya on the left. There are 18 Arhats (statues
of Buddha disciples) positioned on both sides of the Hall.
The picture on the west wall is of Avalokitesvara with its
thousands of hands and eyes.
North of the Hall of Harmony and Peace is Yongyoudian (Hall
of Everlasting Protection), which was Emperor Yongzheng's
living room when he lived there as a young prince and, at
the time of his death his coffin was placed there. Now, a
statue of Bhaisajya-guru is located there and sacrificial
offerings are made to it.
From Yongyoudian continue north to the Falundian (Hall of
the Wheel of the Law), which is the location for Lamas
reading scriptures and holding Buddhist ceremonies. The
Falundian comprises very special features as its structure
contains the architectural styles of both Tibetan and Han
Nationalities. It was formerly the dwelling of the Emperor's
wives. A large statue of Tsong Kha-pa, an ancestor of
Lamaism is displayed here in the centre of the Hall and also
receives sacrificial offerings. Behind this statue is an
Arhat Hill containing 500 Arhats made of five kinds of
metals--gold, silver, copper, iron and tin. These Arhats
have been shaped in different poses. In front of this Hill
is a wooden basin which was said to have been used for
washing the body of Emperor Qianlong three days after his
birth. Elegant large frescos illustrating the life of
Sakyamuni stretch around both the east and west walls.
Wanfuge (Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses) is the last
formal palace to be visited in this complex. This is the
highest palace because it is three stories high. Inside this
pavilion there are tens of thousands of Buddhas displayed
along every level, and in the centre there is an enormous
statue of Maitreya positioned on a white marble base.
(ChinaTravelGuide.com)
