Famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in China

 

Famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in China

 

The wise man Agudengba and the caravan leader Lacuo came to Lhasa, Tibet. Under the Himalayas, they visited the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, as well as Ganden Monastery, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery.

The two chatted about Tibetan Buddhism and Buddhist monasteries in Tibet.

Agudengba told Lacuo:

Tibetan Buddhism has a great influence at home and abroad. There are many Tibetan Buddhist temples in Tibet. In fact, there are large-scale Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and other places in China. The creation and worship of Tibetan Buddhist temples were even a major cultural feature of the Buddhist temples in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty.

The introduction of Tibetan Buddhism to Beijing began in the early Yuan Dynasty. The "imperial master" Phagpa at that time was highly respected by the founder of the Yuan Dynasty and became the national Buddhist leader. He made great contributions to the stability and development of the Yuan Dynasty and the promotion of cultural exchanges between Tibetan, Mongolian and Chinese. huge contribution. The Qing Dynasty learned from historical experience and established close ties with Lamaism before entering the customs. After settling in Beijing, he made respect for Tibetan Buddhism a basic national policy. In the Qing Dynasty, four major living Buddha systems were established in the Mongolian and Tibetan areas: the Dalai Lama, Panchen Erdeni, Jebtsundamba Hutuktu, and Zhangjia Hutuktu.

By the end of the Qing Dynasty, there were 551 large-scale religious buildings in Beijing, of which 358 were Buddhist temples, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all religious sites in Beijing. Among the "Eight Great Temples" of old Beijing passed down by people orally, in addition to Baiyun Temple, Pantao Temple, and Dongyue Temple, which are Taoist temples, Longfu Temple, Huguo Temple, Miaoying Temple, Pudu Temple, and Yonghe Temple are all famous. Buddhist temple.

Yonghegong is a famous Tibetan Buddhist royal temple in Beijing. Since ancient times, it has been famous for its large scale, complete organization of Buddhist scriptures, many eminent monks stationed in Xi, the installation of the "Golden Bumba Vase" and the implementation of the "Golden Vase Drawing Lots" system, as well as its special historical role in connecting the upper classes of Mongolia and Tibet. It is the most well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist activity site and Tibetan Buddhist art museum in Beijing with complete Buddhist activities, unique religious culture, and monks stationed in Xi. Historically, the Yonghe Palace was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty before he took over the throne, and was also the birthplace of Emperor Qianlong. It was first built in the 33rd year of Kangxi (1694), and was converted into a temporary palace in the 3rd year of Yongzheng (1725). In 1744, it was changed into a temple of the Yellow Sect of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Its temple construction history has exceeded 265 years. The main architectural structure of Yonghe Temple is composed of three exquisite archways, Yonghe Gate Hall, Yonghe Palace, Yongyou Hall, Falun Hall, Wanfu Pavilion, Suicheng Hall and other halls, as well as two cultural relics exhibition halls, Panchen Tower and Jietai Tower. There are numerous Buddha statues, thangkas and a large number of precious cultural relics in the hall. Among them, the Five Hundred Arhat Mountains carved from rosewood, the Buddhist niche carved from golden nanmu and the 18-meter-high white sandalwood Buddha are known as the three unique wood carvings of Yonghe Palace.

Agudengba said to Lacuo:

I have traveled to Qinghai. Qinghai Kumbum Monastery, located in Huangzhong District, Xining City, the capital of Qinghai Province, was founded in the 12th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1379). It is named after the Big Silver Pagoda built in the Dajinwa Temple to commemorate Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect. In Tibetan, it is called "Gun Ben Xian Balin", which means "Maitreya Temple with a hundred thousand lions roaring Buddha statues".

Kumbum Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China. It is also the leading scenic spot and historic site in Qinghai Province and a national key cultural relic protection unit. Kumbum Monastery is the activity center of Tibetan Buddhism in northwest China and enjoys a high reputation in China and Southeast Asia. The central governments of all dynasties have highly praised the religious status of Kumbum Monastery. In the Ming Dynasty, the upper-level religious figures in the temple were granted many titles. Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty awarded the plaque "Jingshang Jinliang", Emperor Qianlong granted the title "Fanzong Temple", and the Dajinwa Temple was awarded the "Sanskrit Dharma Pillar" plaque. The Third Dalai Lama, the Fourth Dalai Lama, the Fifth Dalai Lama, the Seventh Dalai Lama, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Sixth, Ninth and Tenth Panchen Lama all performed at Kumbum Monastery. Celebrate religious activities. ​

Butter flowers, murals and embroidery are known as the "Three Wonders of Kumbum Temple Art". In addition, the temple also collects many Buddhist classics and academic monographs on history, literature, philosophy, medicine, legislation and other aspects. The annual Buddhist activities "Four Dharma Assemblies" are even more lively.

Agudengba said to Lacuo again:

I have also traveled to Gansu and visited Labrang Monastery.

Labrang Monastery is located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It was founded in 1709 by the first Living Buddha Jamyang. It was later built by successive generations of Jamyang. Now it has become the largest Tibetan religious and cultural center in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan regions. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

Labrang Monastery is the altered pronunciation of "Lazhang" in Tibetan, which means the residence of the living Buddha master. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is known as the "World Tibetan Academy". At its peak, there were more than 4,000 monks.

The master of the temple is the sixth Jamyang Hutuktu, and other leaders include the eight major khenpos and the four great masters. Labrang Monastery is said to have 108 monasteries in history and is the political and religious center of the Gannan region. Labrang Monastery retains the best Tibetan Buddhist teaching system in the country. The oldest and only existing Buddhist hall in the entire temple was built during the period of the first Jamyang Living Buddha. It is the Buddhist hall of Xiatanbu Academy located next to the main sutra hall.

Agudengba said to Lacuo again:

Wudangzhao in Inner Mongolia is as famous as the Potala Palace in Tibet, Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai and Labrang Monastery in Gansu. It is one of the four famous Tibetan "Buddhist" temples in China and the largest Tibetan "Buddhist" temple in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

I have traveled to Wudangzhao. Wudangzhao is located deep in the Daqing Mountains in Wudanggou, about 70 kilometers northeast of Shiguai District, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Wudangzhao is located in Wudanggou, about 70 kilometers northeast of Baotou City, Inner Mongolia. Overlapping mountains, deep in the green pines and cypresses of the Daqingshan Mountains, are majestic and grand in scale.

When I arrived at Wudangzhao, I learned that the original name of Wudangzhao was Badagar Temple, and Badagar means "white lotus" in Tibetan. In Mongolian "Wudang" means "willow tree", and "Zhao" means "temple". Because the Zhao Temple was built on a hillside called Aobao Mountain in Wudang Valley, people commonly called it Wudang Zhao.

Wudangzhao was first built in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty (1662-1722). It was rebuilt in the 14th year of Qianlong's reign (1749) and given the Han name Guangjue Temple. It was built here by the first living Buddha Norbu Sangara. Wudangzhao was built facing the south according to the terrain. The main building is located on a prominent hillside in the valley. The main building consists of six halls, three mansions and one mausoleum. There is also a lama's dormitory on both sides. The whole temple covers an area of about 300 acres, with more than 2,500 palaces and warehouses. The entire building adopts Tibetan architectural style, with a flat-top square building structure, rigorous structure and reasonable layout. The white appearance reflected under the blue sky and green mountains is even more... Appear brilliant and dazzling.

The largest building among them is the Suguqin Palace, which houses the largest bronze Buddha statue, as well as Sakyamuni, Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect, and Buddhist masters of all generations. To the west of the Suguqin Palace is Queyi, who teaches Buddhist doctrines. Lin Du Palace. On the east side of Suguqin Palace is the central building of Wudangzhao, Dongkuoer Palace. Next to it is Gexide Palace, in addition there are Ahui Palace and Japanese Lun Palace. In addition to the six palaces, the three palaces are Kangyur Mansion, Zhangjia Mansion, Dongkuoer Buddha Mansion, and the Supolegai Mausoleum, the pagoda mausoleum, at the top of the hillside.

There are many ancient and wonderful legends about Wudangzhao, the most attractive one is the temple fair here. Every year from the 25th day of the seventh lunar month to the first day of August, all the lamas in the temple recite the "Mani Sutra" in the Suguqin Hall; in the evening, the lamas hold prayer wheels, blow Dharma horns, and beat sheepskin drums as they walk around the temple. Quite spectacular.

I have participated in temple fairs there, and there are all kinds of temple fair activities. What surprised me the most is that ghost dancing is one of its main activities.

What surprised me even more is that the Mongolian people believe in Tibetan Buddhism and Yellow Sect. Therefore, Mongolia has built many temples. Wudangzhao is one of the four major temples in Inner Mongolia. Wudangzhao is actually a privileged theocratic monastery with prisons, courts and armed forces.

Lacuo was speechless and said nothing more.

Agudengba looked at the Himalayan snow-capped mountains in the distance and sang an impromptu song "Himalayas, I Love You":

 

Himalaya, I love you,

You are the highest mountain,

It is my destiny to watch over you,

My dream is in the blue sky and white clouds.

 

You spread out along the east-west direction,

Forming an arc in the south-west direction,

The main peak is Mount Everest.

It is said that a long time ago,

This is a huge ocean,

As the two major plates collide,

The rocks return deep underground,

The Himalayas continue to rise,

Fifteen million years ago,

Gradually the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was formed.

The terrain on your north side is open,

There are also several wide valley basins.

The terrain on your south side drops,

Showing mountains and deep valleys.

 

Himalaya, I love you,

You are the most sacred blessed place,

Watching you is my destiny,

I am reciting the six-character mantra.