Three Days in Chengde, Hebei ② Eight Outer Temples ② Xumi Fushou Temple
Three Days in Chengde, Hebei ② Eight Outer Temples ② Xumi Fushou Temple
Xumi Temple of Fortune and Longevity
The Xumi Temple of Fortune and Longevity was built in the 45th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1780) for the Sixth Panchen Lama, the political and religious leader of Tibet, who came to celebrate his birthday. It was modeled after the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet, and was built for the Sixth Panchen Lama to reside. It is commonly known as the "Panchen Lama's Palace." "Sumeru Fu Shou" means to be as blessed and long-lived as Mount Sumeru. It faces south and covers an area of 37,900 square meters. It is divided into two parts, front and back, with a glazed archway as the boundary. The front part is in Han style along the central axis with the mountain gate, stele pavilion, and glazed archway in sequence; the back part is in Tibetan style, with the main building being the Dahongtai. Its main hall, the Miaogao Zhuangyan Hall, is roofed with gilded tiles. To the north of the Dahongtai, there are the Jixiang Faxi, Wanfa Zongyuan, Jinhe Hall, Shenghuanxixin, and Glazed Wanshou Pagoda, which are built along the slope of the mountain. The entire temple highlights the unique architectural style that combines Han and Tibetan styles.
Monument Pavilion
Stele Pavilion
It is three rooms wide, with arches on all four sides. Emperor Qianlong inscribed the inscription "Wisdom Shines Everywhere". There is an imperial stele inside, engraved with "Inscription on the Xumi Fu Shou Temple" in four languages: Manchu, Mongolian, Chinese and Tibetan, recording the background of the temple's construction. The mythical beast carrying the load under the stele is named Bixi, which is one of the nine sons of the dragon in legend. It symbolizes good luck and longevity, and indicates the noble status of this temple.
Glazed Archway
Memorial Archway of Colored Glaze | 유리패방
It has three rooms, four pillars and seven floors in the Han style. The wing corners are soaring, the brackets are stacked, and the building is full of brilliance. Emperor Qianlong inscribed the inscription "Zongzhi Buddha Realm" on the plaque, which means that Buddha resides in a beautiful place and commands all things in the world.
Big Red Stage
Grand Red Terrace | Grand Red Terrace
The exterior wall is dark red, with three layers of windows on the front, and the windows are decorated with glazed hanging flower covers. The interior is composed of three-story buildings surrounding the Myoko-sangun Hall, forming a closed courtyard with a U-shaped floor plan, creating a mysterious and isolated religious atmosphere.
South Hall, 1st Floor
South Hall on First Storey
First Floor South Hall |
It is the entrance to the building complex, with three rooms in total. The main hall is the gate hall, with hanging
Hang four thangkas of the Four Heavenly Kings. The east and west rooms each house a Buddha statue
Three statues. There are 2811 statues of Amitabha Buddha inside the wall lattices.
Virupâksa (West) Tangka (Replica)
One of the Buddhist guardian gods, "Guangmu" means being able to observe the world with pure divine eyes at any time and protect the people. He is dressed in red, wears armor, and has a red dragon wrapped around his hand, symbolizing "obedience". He is responsible for protecting Xiniu Hezhou.
Dhrtarastra(East) Tangka (Replica)
One of the Buddhist guardian deities, "Dhritarashtra" means compassion, protecting all living beings, and upholding the country. He is dressed in white, wears armor, and holds a pipa, symbolizing "tune". He is responsible for guarding the Dongsheng Shenzhou.
Virudhaka (South) Tangka (Replica)
One of the Buddhist guardian gods, "Zengzhang" means being able to teach sentient beings to increase their good roots and protect the Dharma. His body is blue, he wears armor, holds a sword in his hand, and symbolizes "wind". He is responsible for protecting the southern continent.
Vaishravana (North) Tangka (Replica)
One of the guardian deities of Buddhism, "Davina" is famous for his blessings and virtues. He is green in color, wearing armor, holding a precious umbrella in his right hand, symbolizing "rain", and a divine mouse in his left hand - the silver mouse, which he uses to subdue demons and protect people's wealth. Responsible for protecting Uttarakuru.
Myoko-sougan-den
Hall of High Solemn
Myoko Jangamjeon
The main hall of this temple is seven bays wide and three stories high. It is covered with copper-gilded fish-scale tiles and uses more than 10,000 taels of first-grade gold leaves. Under the eaves hangs a steep cloud dragon plaque inscribed with "Miaogao Zhuangyan" by Emperor Qianlong. The hall enshrines Buddha Shakyamuni and Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect, with the Eighteen Arhats on both sides; the second floor enshrines Buddha Shakyamuni and his two major disciples: the third floor originally had three Tantric Buddha statues, which no longer exist. This hall was originally where the Sixth Panchen Lama gave lectures during his stay in Chengde.
The Miaogao Zhuangyan Hall is located in the center of the Xumi Fu Shou Temple complex, which means that this hall is as tall and majestic as Mount Xumi. It was where the Sixth Panchen Lama gave lectures when he stayed in Chengde. There are eight golden bronze dragons with raised heads and raised tails on the top of the hall, each weighing more than 300 kilograms and looking lifelike.
North Hall, 1st Floor
North Hall on First Storey
First Floor North Hall |
It is five rooms wide and three rooms deep. In the center is a gilded wooden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, and on both sides are painted clay statues of the Four Heavenly Kings and Sixteen Arhats.
The Origin of All Laws·Jin He Tang
Hall of Origin of All Buddhist
Doctors ·Jinhe Hall
The Origin of All Dharmas·Gumhatang |
This is where the disciples of the Sixth Panchen Lama lived and translated Buddhist scriptures. Outside the hall hangs a plaque inscribed by Emperor Qianlong, "The Origin of All Dharmas", which means the source of all things in the world. Jinhe Hall was built on a high stone platform to the south of Wanfa Zongyuan. The platform is in the shape of a convex character and is connected to the Wanfa Zongyuan Hall to the north by east and west corridors to form an independent courtyard.
Wanshou Ruri Tower
Glazed Tower of Longevity
Manju Ruri Tower |
A seven-story octagonal solid tower with dense eaves. The tower is decorated with yellow and green glazed tiles and inlaid with 56 statues of Amitabha Buddha, symbolizing the eternal life of Emperor Qianlong. The pagoda stands tall on the mountain top, and the sound of wind chimes humming softly is like the endless chanting of scriptures.
Iron Sea
Iron Sea |
It is commonly known as the "big iron tank" and its scientific name is "Iron Sea", which means that the sea water is inexhaustible. Made of cast iron, weighing about a thousand pounds, and used for fire prevention.
Stone Elephant
Stone Elephant |
The elephant represents the Mahayana sect in Buddhism, and it symbolizes the salvation of all sentient beings. This stone elephant is 2.45 meters tall, exquisitely carved, rich and gorgeous. A treasure vase is placed on the top of the elephant's head, symbolizing "peaceful and prosperous times, and a good harvest."