Zhi Hua Temple (5) Hind Court

The fourth and last court of the current day Zhi Hua Temple is but a small court at the very northern end of which stands but one Hall. This otherwise not very opulent building is historically the all important shrine where the statue of the founding father of the Temple, the court eunuch Wang Zheng, at one time the closest court advisor to the young Yingzong (also: Zhengtong) Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was honored. Although the statue was awarded posthumously, long after the death of Wang Zhen on the battlefield of Tumu in 1449 AD, for centuries after his death this was where the person and service of the person Wang Zhen was celebrated in particular. Although the dead Wang Zhen seems to have remained a beloved friend to the Yingzhong Emperor when he retured to power, folk legend holds that Wang Zhen as Minister of the Board of Rites of the Imperial Palace, embezzled public funds much of which he used to construct the vast Zhihua Temple and adorn it with a some of the most expertly carved and exquisite relics. As can be judged from the temple treasures and the large space taken by the temple, Wang Zhen became an incredibly rich man as he rose to power within the Palace to become one of the most priviledged and highly positioned persons in the inner circles of the Empire.

An older pre-Olympic Games Map of DongCheng District marking Location of Zhi Hua Temple.

Several changes have been made to the cityscape of the immediate area surrounding the Zhihua Temple. The most important of these were the creation of Jinbao Street paralel to lumicang Hutong but south of it and further the construction of the Galaxy Soho complex in the hutong to the north of Zhihua Temple.

Click Map to go to Full Version.

Another folk tale says that when the Yingzong Emperor recaptured the throne after his unexpected release and the subsequent death of his competitor the Jingtai Emperor in the year 1457 AD, he held honorary rites for his fallen servant Wang Zhen in Zhihua Temple at which occasion he erected a statue of Wang inside the grounds (others say it was an image of Wang Zhen).

At the same time, as a posthumous reward for the proven loyalty and due dilligence of the eunuch Wang Zheng, being the great confidant of the Young Emperor, the western side-room of the Great Mercy Hall was granted the name of Hall of Loyalty by the Ming Emperor under his new reign title as Tianshun (天順) Emperor (Reign: 1457 AD - 1664 AD).

Thereafter the Hall containing the image of Wang Zhen was maintained and revered by Buddhist Monks until its removal in the year 1742 AD during the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong (1735 AD - 1796 AD). In that year the Emperor after receiving advice from his scholar-official, Shen Tingfang, ordered the destruction of the ancestral hall and more to the point Wang’s image. Subseuqently his name was erased from the three of the inscriptions in the front court of the temple which had prouldy proclaimed the deeds and titles of the master Wang Zhen. Although the destruction had no doubt been intended to be final not all relics of Wang Zhen were lost. A fourth tablet, dated to 1459 AD, was dumped into a cesspit, and by a curious quirk of fate, escaped destruction. It was found many years later when the pit was being cleaned. It has a portrait of Wang Zhen carved on it, and it is now on display in the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings in the temple.

The statue or image of the man who by

The Great Mercy Hall, also known as Hall of Great Bliss is the northernmost hall of the complex. Although inconspicuous in nature it holds another one of the main treasures of the Zhihua Temple. Great Mercy Hall is the hall where the sumuru throne relic is held. Atop this sumeru throne sits a wooden statue of a seated 1000 armed avalokiteshvara.

is protected by a glass like wall behind of which curtains block any view of this relic. The central space of the hall is taken up by chairs facing in the direction of the hidden statue making it into what essentially is a meeting hall. It is the only room in the Temple which can serve as a truely private prayer and lecture hall. No photos are allowed to be taken inside the Hall.

Previously there was also a second eastern side-room to the Hall of Great Mercy. This eastern room was in use by the Abbots of the Temple and was known as the Abbots Court. It has however disappeared at some time in the past and has not been restored.

Where Wang Zhen has left a legacy through the story of his life, his death and the capture of the Emperor by a hostile tribe his main physical legacy is embodied within the grounds of the Zhihua Temple which remains as one of the prime cultural relics dated to the Ming Dynasty within the city of Beijing.

then had become one of the ancient arch examples of the scheming eunuch bringing disaster to the Empire was replaced by a gleaming and serene golden Buddha and the temple was converted from the shrine to honor Wang Zhen into the ordinary Buddhist Monastery and place of worship that has survived to this day.

Today the Great Mercy Hall, also known as Hall of Great Bliss is the hall where the so called sumuru throne relic is held. Atop this sumeru throne sits a wooden statue of a seated 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara. The Statue can however not be seen as it