At the northeast corner of Beijing City the traveler will find
an elegant and ancient temple known as the Yonghe Lamasery, or
Yonghegong Lama Temple, 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 center 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.
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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 center there is an enormous statue of Maitreya positioned on
a white marble base.
Travel tips:
Add: Andingmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District.
010- 6404 9027.
Ticket: 25 yuan.
Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00
How to get there: Bus routes: 13, 62, 44, 406
at Yonghegong station; or take the subway to arrive at
Yonghegong.
(China.org.cn travelchinaguide.com May 25, 2007)
