Although this name is rather deceiving as there are 3 inter-connected buildings of which the Central One has three stories and serves to house the 18 Meter tall standing statue of the Buddha.
The Central Tower has three stories with connecting bridges -flying galleries- to the to floors of adjacent halls on the second story.
This page was last updated on: September 9, 2014
The Northern Court of the Lama Temple complex is the largest and also the most confusing. It is in fact filled with several buildings, the largest of which is 7 bays (space between 4 pillars) wide, turning it into what feels like a small marketplace of religion and tourism.
The buildings and pavilions are the Yubiting or Pavilion of the Imperial Writing Brush, the Yonghedian or Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Yongyoudian - Hall of Everlasting Protection, and the Falun Dian, or Hall (Palace) of the Wheel of the Law. The latter building is the largest and widest. A last building stands behind this rich collection and is the Wanfuge, Hall of ten Thousand Happiness but perhaps better understood when named the Tower of the Great Buddha.
Matreiya, the future Buddha smiling happily and enlightened is enshirened within. However, unfortunatly no photography is allowed within the Hall and guarding Monks watch zealously to make sure this rule is maintained, regardless how many tourist show up for it with their camera's. The statue is massive, covered in gold leaf and carved from a single trunk of sandalwood. It stands 18 meters above ground, but actually extends a further 8 meters down below ground. It was imported all the way Tibet and was a Gift of the Seventh Dalai Lama of Tibet to the the Emperor Qianlong. Just imagine the transportation job at that Time !
Several Steles are erected within the Norther Courtyard. However, their purpose is only meagerly explained on site. Caligraphy of Qing Emperors inscribed.
According to popular legend when it was first installed the Matreiya Buddha Statue was covered with a Yellow Monks Robe which consisted of 1800 square meters of satin.
Smaller adjoing buildings feature exotic buddhist-lamaist sculptures, there is a large Hall with a 7 layered white marble platform to be used by the Dalai Lama or Emperor for religious teachings and sessions and further a rather under-published exhibition explaining the crucial events surrounding the joing of Tibet to 'The Motherland' of China in the years 1949/1950 AD. It clearly shows photos of a visit of the Tibetan delegation to Beijing and other interesting items.
The Pavilion of Imperial Brush holds a stele inscribed with a multitude of Languages, Han, Manchu, Tibetan and Mongolian, and describes the origins of buddhism-lamaism in Tibet, Mongolia and China.
Find DrBen and ChinaReport on Facebook with the latest from www.drben.net.
