Archive for December, 2009
Religion, Tradition & Culture Blend to Give Rise to a Monastery
In the year 1744, the Lama Temple was fully changed into a lamasery. So this splendid architecture complex is gifted with the mode of a grand palace, making it unique from others. It is built over an area of 66,400 square meters and is depicted as a mini-palace with yellow glassy tiles on the roof and red walls encircling the group of buildings.
Since the style adopted was that of primeval architecture, every constituent of the temple is completely proportioned, with main halls on a north-south axis and wing halls on both sides. It contains a courtyard in the south and 5 main halls in different courtyards in the north: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Eternal Blessings, the Hall of the Dharma Wheel and the Pavilion of Endless Happiness. Moreover, this grand temple blends several architectural styles of the Han, the Manchu, the Mongolian and the Tibetan.
In the south patio, a big wall screen and three tall Pailous acclaim the entrance to the building. The Zhaotai Gate is the entrance to the north yard. A drum tower in the west and a bell tower stand somberly as though welcoming visitors. The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is in fact no more than an access to the other four main halls. The courtyard outside the Hall of the Heavenly Kings is centered on the Hall of Harmony and Peace and has 4 wing halls. The Hall of Harmony and Peace is positioned with statues of three Buddhas: Sakyamuni, Kasyapa Matanga and Maitreya Buddha.
The Hall of Everlasting Blessings in the neighboring courtyard was the mansion of Emperor Yongzhen when he was a prince. In the Hall of the Dharma Wheel ceremonies are held and sutras are read. The hall holds a statue of Tsong Khapa who was the father of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the statue, there is a beautiful woodcarving in the form of a hill, holding 449 statues of Arhats. The Pavilion of Infinite Happiness which is the last hall is the main hall of this temple. It is a three-story building, attached to 2 smaller pavilions. In the main hall, a vast statue of Maitreya is located and this was gifted by the 7th Dalai to the Emperor Qianlong who was the son of Emperor Yongzheng.
Beijing has a lot to offer for tourists, mainly consisting sightseeing and adventures. Therefore ensure that you arrange your Beijing hotel accommodations in advance. A luxury hotel in Beijing would be ideal if you intend to have an indulging stay and enjoy the city to its fullest.
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