The Azure Cloud Temple

At the eastern end of the Heavenly Street, and among the cloud and mist there is a solemn towering architectural complex above the stone steps. This is the Azure Cloud Temple. The bronze statue of the Supreme Lady, the Azure Cloud, is offered sacrifices in the main hall.

The bronze statues of the goddess of sending birth and the goddess of eyes stand at both sides. The supreme Lady, the Azure Cloud is the most well-known goddess in the north of China. In the 22nd year of Wanli (1593) of the Ming Dynasty, according to the record of “the Tablet for the Azure Cloud in the East Mountain”, pilgrims traveling on the road toward Mountain Taishan walked for a thousand li. When people asked them why they walked with the calluses on foot for such a long distance, they answered to ask the Supreme Lady of the Azure Cloud for help, for “the Supreme Lady of the Azure Cloud has the ability to bring happiness to all living creatures and fulfill their wishes”. The faith in the Supreme Lady of the Azure Cloud has a history of more than a thousand years. The goddess still stands above the summit of Mountain Taishan and enjoys the sacrifice and incense offered by the pilgrims, calling those who travel or reside far away from their homes and their countries. She will add luster to Mountain Taishan forever.

The Azure Cloud Temple was built in the first year of Dazhongxiangfu (1008 A.D.), at the order of Zhenzong, an emperor of the Song Dynasty. The construction area is limited by its local conditions. It is 70 meters long from south to north, and 35 meters wide from east to west. Mang buildings have been built in this small place such as the gate (entrance), the main hall, the side hall, the bell tower, drum tower, the Joss Stick Pavilion, the building for the emperor, the fireplace, the screen wall, the singing and dancing building and three divinity gates……But visitors can only feel its grander and austerity rather than its narrowness. The temple represents the wonderful construction art and the high techniques of the ancient Chinese builders who had learnt how to build houses according to the local conditions.

Publishes at : 07-09-06 21:48

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