Yonghegong Lamasery (The Lama Temple) 
 |
Yonghegong Lamasery (The Lama Temple)
Yonghegong Lanasery is a famous lamasery located in the northeastern part of the old city of Beijing. It was a palatial residence built in 1694 by Qing emperor Kangxi for his fourth son, Prince Yongzheng who later succeeded to the throne. This magnificent temple consists of five main buildings lying on the north-south axis, with annex halls standing on both sides. The temple is listed by the Chinese Government as one of the important historical monuments under special preservation. After the death of his father, Emperor Yongzheng moved to the Forbidden City. The compound was closed to ordinary people and was renamed Yonghegong (the Palace of Harmony). Yellow ones to suit a monarch's home replaced green roof tiles. In 1744 his successor Emperor Qianjong converted the palace into a lamasery.
Several renovations have been carried out since 1949. The temple has taken on a new look and was reopened to the public in 1981. It is now not only a functional lama temple, but also a tourist attraction.
Yonghemen (Gate of Harmony)
It is actually a hall rather than a gate. Following the Buddhist tradition, the first hall in a lamasery is usually called the Maitreya's shrine or the Hall of Heavenly Kings. In this hall Mile or Maitreya in Sanskrit, the Laughing Buddha always greets people with a smiling face. A Bodhisattva often worshipped in China as a fat, laughing man. He is known in China as the Big Belly Buddha. Legend has it that he was born 1,000 years ago and became a monk in Yuelin Temple in Fenghua County, Zhejiang Province. He often went spreading Buddhism with a hag in his hand begging for food, so people usually called him the Bag Buddha. He is also known as the Laughing Buddha because he always smiles. It is said that before his death he was sitting on a piece of stone slab, telling people that he was the reincarnation of the Future Buddha Maitreya. According to what he said people called him Buddha Maitreya after his death.
 |
On both sides of Maitreya's shrine are seated four fearsome looking Heavenly Kings or Celestial Guardians, two on each side.
The Buddhist theory goes that the earth is divided into four worlds: northern, southern, eastern and western. Each of the four worlds is guarded by one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
The one with a sword is the Southern World Heavenly King named Zengzhang. When ghosts and monsters dare to step in, he chants an incantation and throws his magic sword up into the sky. In a flash the sword flies down like lightning, hitting, sometimes even killing the intruder.
Next to him sits Chiguo, the Eastern World Heavenly King, who plays a pipa, a 4-stringed Chinese lute. On the battlefield, he plucks the musical instrument and gives his enemy a headache. So he wins the battle.
Opposite to him is Duowen, the Northern World Heavenly King, who carries a huge umbrella. Whenever he puts up his umbrella, the sky over the battlefield turns dark and a cyclonic storm howls, sending sand and rocks whirling about. The eyesight of his rivals is sure to be impaired. Hardly has he shut up the umbrella when the rivals are drawn into it and arrested.
The one with a water snake is the Western World Heavenly King Guangmu. Once released, the snake mounts the clouds and rides the mists. All of a sudden, this animal spurts out water and disperses his enemy.
you are here：
|
© Copyright 1996-2006 All Rights Reserved. Yangshuochina, YSITS Guilin |
Welcome to Yangshuochina.com, Specializing in Customized Guilin Yangshuo Tour and China Travel, and Yangshuo China Hotels Reservation! |
Tel: (86)773-5807928
Fax: (86)773-5843360 |
