Lama Temple (Yong He Gong) is one of the key historic sites under national protection. It lies in the southeast corner of north 2nd Ring Road. It is the largest one of the lamaseries of Tibetan Buddhism that remain in Beijing. At first it was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng before he was crowned. In the years of Qianlong it was changed into a lamasery, and began to serve as the headquarters of the Qing government's administration of Tibetan Buddhism affairs. In 1981 it was officially opened to the public. In 1997 it was designated by the municipal government of Beijing as a museum for Tibetan Buddhist art.
The complex covers an area of about 66,440 square meters. It is well-known for its great Buddhist architecture, places for emperors to conduct religious activities, and its special importance for linking the upper class of the Mongolians and the Tibetans. It used to be the prison house of the inner court in the Ming Dynasty. In 1694, or the 33rd year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, it was changed into the mansion of Yinzhen, the fourth son of the emperor. In 1709, or the 48th year of Kangxi, Yinzhen was created “Prince He Shuo Yong”, and his residence was renamed the Mansion of Prince Yong. In 1722, or the 61st year of Kangxi, Emperor Kangxi died, and Yinzhen acceded to the throne. In 1725, or the 3rd year of Yongzheng, the emperor ordered his former residence to be made a xinggong (a temporary abode of an emperor on tour) named Yong He Gong. On the ninth day of the second month of spring in the ninth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1744), the emperor ordered Yong He Gong (where he was born) to be changed into a lamasery for the Gelu Cult of Tibetan Buddhism. Since then, the place has become one of the centers for disseminating Buddhism outside Tibet. Worship has been going on here for over 260 years.
The Yong He Gong complex, which runs to 400 meters from north to south, consists of three beautifully decorated archways, six halls——Yong He Gong Hall, Yongyou Hall, Falun Hall, Wanfu Pavilion, Suicheng Hall, and seven courtyards. On its east and west sides sit Jiangjing Hall, Shilun Hall, Yaoshi Hall, Mizong Hall, Yamudaga Tower, Zhaofo Tower, JieTai Tower, and Panchen Tower (the last two have been used for exhibiting cultural relics). The layout of the complex produces an effect of rigorous grandeur. The complex is complete with stone lions, baofang, and halls, towers, and pavilions richly decorated with colored paintings. They embody not only religious architecture in China but also the perfect blending of the Han and Tibetan architectural styles. The roof of Falun Hall, or the grand chapel, for instance, is modeled on Tibetan architecture. The five sacred-bottle-shaped glaze adornments for the skylight add to its religious solemnity and magnificence. The halls in the complex house a great number of Buddha figures, thangkas, and other valuable cultural relics. The most special among the woodworks are the Five-Hundred Arhats Hill made of red sandalwood, the large nanmu shrine adorned with carved dragons, and the 18-meter-high white sandalwood Buddha figure. Many of the relics were tributes offered by upper-class Tibetans or renowned lamas to the emperor or to the lamasery since the 16th century. They are of great historical and artistic value. Since the founding of the People's Republic, the government has repeatedly funded renovations. Now this lamasery attracts tourists from all over the world with the mysterious, splendor, and profundity of the culture it embodies.
Since it was made a lamasery for the Gelu cult, Lama Temple has been observing its own festivals and holidays besides traditional Buddhist holidays. Besides routine rituals performed on the mornings of the 1st, 10th, 15th, and 30th of each lunar month, other major Buddhist ceremonies are performed each year. One of the most ceremonious occasions at the lamasery is the Great Prayer Ritual which lasts from the 23rd of the first lunar month to the 1st day of the second. The ritual features the Exorcism Dance, popularly known as Beating Devils, which is meant to expel evil spirits and bring happiness. The Qiangong Mass, which lasts from the 13th to 15th of the fourth lunar month, celebrates the birth, accomplishment, and nirvana of the Buddha. The Great Power and Virtue Mass, which lasts from the 24th to 30th of the ninth lunar month is meant to expel groundless worries by evoking the power of the Buddha's warriors, and for praying for the peace of the country. The Master Zongkeba Mass, also known as the Randeng Festival, is held on the 25th of the tenth lunar month to commemorate the death of Master Zongkeba, a famous reformist who founded the Gelu cult. On this day, the lamas light a thousand lamps in token of the master's great enlightenment.
There are many key attractions in Lama Temple.
Falun (Wheel of Law) Hall is for lamas to conduct large-scale religious activities. It houses the gilded bronze statue of Master Zongkeba, the founder of the Gelu cult of Tibetan Buddhism. The statue is flanked by the thrones of Panchen and Dalai Lama, his two disciples. Here the 10th Panchen and the 11th Panchen had delivered sermons to lamas and blessed them by rubbing the tops of their heads.
The great figure of Maitreya, 18-meter-tall wooden figure, is housed in the Wanfu Pavilion, a triple-eave, complicatedly structured imposing building. It was made during 1748 to 1750, or the 13th to 15th year of Qianlong. It is said that it was carved out of a huge white sandalwood lumber offered by the seventh Dalai Lama. In August 1990 it was listed in the Guinness World Record. In 1992, RMB500,000 was spent on its renovation and gilding. In 1993, a grand ceremony was held to dedicate the figure.
A pavilion in Yong He Gong houses a 6.2-meter-high cuboid stone tablet. Each of its four sides, measuring 1.45 meters wide, is inscribed with On Lama in Manchu, Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan respectively, which decrees the system of appointing the Living Buddha. The inscription is an important embodiment of the Qing government’s policy on Tibet. The tablet was erected in 1792, or the 57th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign.
Address: No.12, Yonghegong Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing |
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