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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> China >> Beijing, China Photo Travelogues (March 2011) >> Beijing, China - The Lama Temple (March 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Beijing, China - The Lama Temple (March 2011)

The Yonghegong (Lama Temple) is the largest temple in Beijing and one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The building and the artworks are both Han Chinese and Tibetan styles. Building started on the temple in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty. Originally, it served as an official residence for court eunuchs. It was then converted into the court of the Prince Yong (Yin Zhen), a son of the Emperor Kangxi. After he ascended to the throne in 1722 and became Emperor Yongzheng, half of the building was converted into a lamasery, a monastery for Tibetan Buddhist monks. The other half remained an imperial palace. After Yongzheng's death in 1735, Yongzheng's successor, Emperor Qianlong, completed the conversion of the palace into a lama monastery and temple. He also gave the temple imperial status signified by having its turquoise tiles replaced with yellow tiles, which were reserved only for the emperor. It became a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet. Monks are still in residence at the Lama Temple, today.
Beijing, China - The Lama Temple cover page.
Beijing, China - The Lama Temple cover page.		 Map of China with star indicating Beijing.
Map of China with star indicating Beijing.		 Entrance to the Lama Temple, built by Prince Yong starting in 1694. It served as an official residence for court eunuchs.
Entrance to the Lama Temple, built by Prince Yong starting in 1694. It served as an official residence for court eunuchs.		 Later, it became the prince's residence. After the prince came to the throne as Emperor Yonghegong, it was turned into a palace.
Later, it became the prince's residence. After the prince came to the throne as Emperor Yonghegong, it was turned into a palace.
After Yongzheng's death in 1735, his successor, Emperor Qianlong, changed the palace into a lama temple.
After Yongzheng's death in 1735, his successor, Emperor Qianlong, changed the palace into a lama temple.		 The Hall of the Heavenly Kings, is the first hall of the temple. The main buildings are built along a central axis.
The Hall of the Heavenly Kings, is the first hall of the temple. The main buildings are built along a central axis.		 Male lion statue in front of the Lama Temple.
Male lion statue in front of the Lama Temple.		 Smaller building flanking the side of the temple.
Smaller building flanking the side of the temple.
Women praying and burning incense in front of the Hall of the Heavenly Kings.
Women praying and burning incense in front of the Hall of the Heavenly Kings.		 Incense burner flaming and billowing smoke.
Incense burner flaming and billowing smoke.		 Buddhist worshippers praying and making offerings of incense.
Buddhist worshippers praying and making offerings of incense.		 A magnificent metal urn at the Lama Temple.
A magnificent metal urn at the Lama Temple.
Men were doing renovation work on the outside of this pavilion.
Men were doing renovation work on the outside of this pavilion.		 Another magnificent metal urn at the Lama Temple. Note the coins tossed at its base for good luck.
Another magnificent metal urn at the Lama Temple. Note the coins tossed at its base for good luck.		 The layout of the temple embodies the characteristics of Manchu, Han, Tibetan and Mongolian cultures.
The layout of the temple embodies the characteristics of Manchu, Han, Tibetan and Mongolian cultures.		 Sticks protruding from another incense burner.
Sticks protruding from another incense burner.
A male lion sculpture with tortoises.
A male lion sculpture with tortoises.		 Animal designs on the temple roof. Usually, the more animals there are, the more important the building.
Animal designs on the temple roof. Usually, the more animals there are, the more important the building.		 Exterior view of the Hall of Harmony and Peace, which is the main building of the temple.
Exterior view of the Hall of Harmony and Peace, which is the main building of the temple.		 At the Hall of Harmony and Peace is a bronze Mount Meru (1.5 meters tall), which is set on a white marble base in a stone pool.
At the Hall of Harmony and Peace is a bronze Mount Meru (1.5 meters tall), which is set on a white marble base in a stone pool.
Above the hall is this intricately-carved nameplate with Chinese writing.
Above the hall is this intricately-carved nameplate with Chinese writing.		 The nameplate is spectacular with golden dragons and bright colors.
The nameplate is spectacular with golden dragons and bright colors.		 The Hall of Harmony and Peace is adorned with statues of three Buddhas.
The Hall of Harmony and Peace is adorned with statues of three Buddhas.		 They are: Sakyamuni (Buddha of the Present), Kasyapa Matanga (Buddha of the Past) and Maitreya Buddha (Buddha of the Future).
They are: Sakyamuni (Buddha of the Present), Kasyapa Matanga (Buddha of the Past) and Maitreya Buddha (Buddha of the Future).
Hall of Everlasting Protection was Emperor Yongzheng's living quarters as a prince. His coffin was placed there after he died.
Hall of Everlasting Protection was Emperor Yongzheng's living quarters as a prince. His coffin was placed there after he died. 		Statue of the Bhaisajya-guru (healing Buddha) in Hall of Everlasting Protection.
Statue of the Bhaisajya-guru (healing Buddha) in Hall of Everlasting Protection.		 This magnificent Buddha in the hall is enshrined in gold and silk.
This magnificent Buddha in the hall is enshrined in gold and silk.		 Another elaborate Buddha in the Hall of Everlasting Protection.
Another elaborate Buddha in the Hall of Everlasting Protection.
Hall of the Dharma Wheel is where lamas hold ceremonies and read sutra (in Hinduism sutra is a type of literary composition).
Hall of the Dharma Wheel is where lamas hold ceremonies and read sutra (in Hinduism sutra is a type of literary composition).		 Buddha’s teachings, known as Dharma, are likened to a wheel spreading among the people putting his teachings into practice.
Buddha’s teachings, known as Dharma, are likened to a wheel spreading among the people putting his teachings into practice.		 Buddhist monk in front of the Hall of the Dharma Wheel.
Buddhist monk in front of the Hall of the Dharma Wheel.		 This man was spinning the prayer wheel outside of Hall of the Dharma Wheel. It can be likened to Buddha's Dharma Wheel.
This man was spinning the prayer wheel outside of Hall of the Dharma Wheel. It can be likened to Buddha's Dharma Wheel.
Inside the hall is a statue of Tsong Khapa, the father of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Inside the hall is a statue of Tsong Khapa, the father of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.		 Pews inside the Hall of the Dharma Wheel.
Pews inside the Hall of the Dharma Wheel.		 The 3-story Hall of Infinite Happiness is the tallest hall at the temple. It is attached to two smaller pavilions.
The 3-story Hall of Infinite Happiness is the tallest hall at the temple. It is attached to two smaller pavilions.		 In the Hall of Infinite Happiness, is a huge sandalwood statue of Maitreya (future Buddha). It is 26 meters (85 feet) high.
In the Hall of Infinite Happiness, is a huge sandalwood statue of Maitreya (future Buddha). It is 26 meters (85 feet) high.
Other beautiful Buddhas in the hall.
Other beautiful Buddhas in the hall.		 Hall of Infinite Happiness and Hall of Eternal Health are connected. Their engraved beams and pillars are beautiful.
Hall of Infinite Happiness and Hall of Eternal Health are connected. Their engraved beams and pillars are beautiful.		 View of the Hall of Hall of Eternal Health in the Liao Dynasty style.
View of the Hall of Hall of Eternal Health in the Liao Dynasty style.		 A wonderful dragon ornament on the roof of the Lama Temple.
A wonderful dragon ornament on the roof of the Lama Temple.
This spectacular dragon was in a corner along the cornice of the temple.
This spectacular dragon was in a corner along the cornice of the temple.

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