Inside the Gate at the beginning of our Tour of Yong An Buddhist Temple at Beihai Park.
As mentioned earlier , the 5 stages of Yong An Temple moving uphill symbolise the spiritual ascent into the heavenly realm Nirvana.
We now find ourselves at the lowest level of the temple ascent , the realm of the lower Gods in the Chinese Buddhist Pantheon.
As we step ahead we are stared upon by 4 gruesome and scary armour-clad Giants.
These colorful 4 are the protector Gods of the Yong An Shrine.
Protector Gods are generally found at any Temple Gate to ward of bad spirits and the gaze of the Evil Eye.
Chinese buddhism is different from other branches and pays the most attention to the heavenly realm and the buddha's of the 3 times , Dipankara , Sakayamuni ( or the historic real buddha) and Maitreya ( future Buddha).
In his heavenly Maitreya form the Buddha is surrounded by other enlightened spirits in his Heavenly Realm(s).
In Chinese Buddhism Devas or Protectors are large and scary beings. They are always colorful and energetic signifiying their heavenly nature and home in Nirvana.
The left Deva, carrying a sword has a frightened Chinese citizen clung to his leg symbolising the protective role.
All 5 Deva's are crowned, a sign of their heavenly being. The 5 tips on their crowns symbolise the 5 buddha states and the knowledge that goes with them. The Deva's , being heavenly beings have already achieved enlightenment and are part in this knowledge.
West Tower - Gulou
The Gulou or Drum Tower , added during the Qianlong Period.
The Eastern Bell Tower . Open for a visit and home to a Boddhisatva.
Boddhisatva's are Buddha's who have voluntarily postponed their enlightenment so they could stay on earth and teach the suffering man.
Chinese buddhism is different from Buddhism as most westerners think of it. That is: not the life and teachings of the Buddha are central, but rather the existance of all pervasive heavenly powers that have , among things expressed themselves in the coming of the ( 2nd ) real and historic figure Buddha.
Chinese buddhism therefor concentrates on depictions of flying gods, protectors, and on the 3 states of the buddha, that being his past lifes ( Dipankara ) , his historic life as Buddha ( Sakayamuni ) and his Future return as the salvator of suffering and the bringer of heavenly peace ( Maitreya Buddha )
Ritual Bronze Incense Burner in the Courtyard Square with in the background the Western Gulou. Note the design resembling the style of earlier Chinese bronze ritual pottery.
The legs are very nicely crafted.
The Same Incense Burner in the Courtyard Square with Fa Lun Hall in the background.
Note the detail on the Burner, it is clearly visible as many hands have rubbed it somewhat clear.
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The detail is the Wheel of the Law or the Dharma. In Hinyana buddhism the Dharma-wheel was set in motion by the historical Buddha. He did so when he had decided to return to Earth and started to preach the truth about all things that are.
In Chinese style mahayana buddhism the Dharma-wheel is the source of all that is , has been and will be , real and virtual.
Its energy is all pervasive. Buddha has become one with the Dharma, Dharma is the Buddha.
Detail of the Falun Hall roofing.
The Green Jade Dragon on a Golden Background symbolising both the Imperial Nature of this Temple and the Godlike nature of the Emperor himself.
As we come to Falun Hall , a schematic map of Yong An Tempe mound.
Beyond Falun Hall there are multiple staircases leading upward into the Nirvanic Temple and it's more important Gods.
For your convenience, a Map like this has been added to each Beihai Park report page.
Simply find the button , double-click it , and there is your map.
Falun Hall , the first major shrine Hall at Yong An Temple.
The building has been restored in 1993 in a classic Ming/Qing Design with very rich and elaborate paintings. Details include the multiple lotus-flowers and steles in front of the door and above with holy inscriptions.
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An overview of Fa Lun Hall Courtyard at Dusk. After park closing Yong Temple Gate is locked and closed.
The Impressive Front of Fa Lun Hall with many Colorful patterns.
