The Yonghe Lamasery lies on the east side of the Yonghe Street in Dongcheng District, Beijing. Lama Temple is a temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism located in the northeastern part of Beijing, China. It is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The building and the artworks of the temple combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.
Why do visit
Built initially in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty, this building was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was just a prince. However, in 1744 the Qing Dynasty formally changed the status of the dwelling to that of a lamasery, and so Yonghe Lamasery became the national center of Lama administration. The Lama Temple is an important attraction in Beijing today.
The Lama Temple is a very lively temple in the Chinese capital. We watched several traditional ceremonies. This spectacular temple-complex is sprinkled withy lovely gardens, and wonderful pavilions containing superb and detailed interiors. Five of these great halls stand out among all of the structures within the courtyards and monastery grounds. The temple is famous for its 18m statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood.
Who built "Lama Temple:
The temple was built by Chinese emperors who harbored a deep fascination for the Tibetan (Tantric) version of Buddhism. Over the years many Tibetan and Mongolian monks lived and taught here, and there are still monks in residence today.
What used to it
The Yonghe Lamasery was formerly the office of the eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the 33rd year (1694) of Emperor Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, the residence of Prince Yinzheng was built on the site, and since then it became a group of buildings in comparative large scale.
When to be a place show respect
After Prince Yongzheng ascended the throne, who was known as Emperor Yongzheng, the residence was also renamed Yonghe Lamasery, where in fact was the office of secret agents and also the center for Emperor Yongzheng to carry out secret activities. When Emperor Yongzheng passed away in the 13th year (1735) of the Yongzheng reign, the coffin was placed in the lamasery, and therefore in order to show respect, all the buildings were covered with yellow glazed tiles.
Since then the Yonghe Lamasery became a place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty enshrined and worshiped their ancestors. Therefore there were always large numbers of lamas chanting the sutras for the deceased all year round. In the 9th year (1744) of Emperor Qianlong's reign, it was formally converted into a lamasery.
What to see
As a result of the ancient architecture, every element of the temple is entirely symmetrical, with main halls on a north-south axis and wing halls on both sides. It comprises of a courtyard in the south and five main halls in separate courtyards in the north: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Everlasting Blessings, the Hall of the Dharma Wheel and the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness. Furthermore, this splendid temple combines various architectural styles of the Han, the Manchu, the Mongolian and the Tibetan.
- South Courtyard In the south courtyard, a large wall screen and three tall Pailous (Pailou: a form of Chinese traditional buildings) herald the entrance to the building. After walking through the imperial passageway, you will reach the Zhaotai Gate which is the entrance to the north yard. A drum tower in the west and a bell tower stand solemnly as though greeting visitors.
- Hall of the Heavenly Kings The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is actually no more than an entrance to the other four main halls. The corners of the hall are hung with Sanskrit bells and mantras are written on the lintels of the doors, which lends a religious atmosphere to the hall. The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is so called because Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined in the hall. At the center is a statue of Maitreya who is beaming with a kindly smile and sitting with his legs crossed.
- Hall of Harmony and Peace On stepping out of the Hall of the Heavenly Kings you will see a courtyard. The courtyard is centered on the Hall of Harmony and Peace and has four wing halls. The Hall of Harmony and Peace is laid with statues of three Buddahas: Sakyamuni (Buddha of the Present), Kasyapa Matanga (Buddha of the Past) and Maitreya Buddha (Buddha of the Future). Just in front of the hall, a stramonium hill is both a precious art treasure and a holy thing of Buddhism. The four wing halls are where lamas study the Esoteric Buddhism, Exoteric Buddhism, Tibetan medicine, astronomy and geography. A copper cooking vessel made in 1747 in the courtyard is reputed as one of the 'three rarest objects in Beijing'.
- Hall of Everlasting Blessingse The Hall of Everlasting Blessings in the adjacent courtyard was the residence of Emperor Yongzhen when he was still a prince. The Amitabha (Infinite Life Buddha), the Medicine Buddha, and the Lion Buddha are positioned in the hall. Two depictions of White Tara and Green Tara respectively are hanged along the sides of the wall; the picture of Green Tara is quite unusual as it is made of over 4,000 pieces of silk of different shapes and colors.
- Hall of the Dharma Wheel The Hall of the Dharma Wheel is where lamas hold ceremonies and read sutra. The hall houses a statue of Tsong Khapa, the father of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the statue, there is an exquisite woodcarving in a shape of hill which has 449 statues of Arhats (originally 500 statues). A fine mural on the wall gives a detailed account of the whole life of Sakyamuni. Also displayed here are some Buddhist scriptures, the Gangyur of Tripitaka included. In the assistant halls five Heavenly Guardians are enshrined.
- Pavilion of Infinite Happiness The Pavilion of Infinite Happiness, the last main hall, is the highest hall of this temple. It is a three-storey building, accompanied by two smaller pavilions. In the main hall, a huge statue of Maitreya is positioned which the seventh Dalai presented to the Emperor Qianlong, the son of Emperor Yongzheng. The entire statue which is carved from a rare sandal tree is 26 meters (85 feet) in height and eight meters (26 feet) in diameter, with eight meters (26 feet) buried under the ground. A niche for Buddha in the assistant hall is another excellent woodcarving which is carved with ninety-nine lifelike dragons.
- The mountain of five hundred Arhats The mountain of five hundred Arhats, big statue of Buddha carved out of sandalwood and shrines made of Nanmu with golden filigree are called the Three Rarest Things in the Yonghe Lamasery. In addition, the Yonghe Lamasery is well known for its rich collection of precious religious relics, where important activities of Lamaism are held in Beijing.
What tamboos need to pay attention
Visitors are not allowed to take pictures of holy statues inside most of the temples.
When to visit
- Opening hours: 9:00a.m. - 16:00p.m.
- Recommended time for a Visit: 1 hour
Getting there
By Bus
Take bus 13, 62, 44, 406, 858 to arrive at Yonghegong Qiaodong station.
By Subway
Take the subway line 2 to arrive at Yonghegong station. On exiting the subway, walk south alongside the temple for about 500m until you reach the entrance of YongHeGong on the lefthand side.
Something suggest to buy
Souvenirs may be purchased by negotiation in the Lamasery, and the incenses for sale here are perfect.