N. China - Day 11, Part 2 - Beijing: Lama Temple

"Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable." - H. L. Mencken

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N. China
Day 11 - 9th November - Beijing: Lama Temple (Part 2)


Complex entrance


Entrance from the carpark


Yonghegong (Lama Temple) information panel

As you can imagine, this is very important to China to cement its claim on Tibet.


Pathway in


I like how the entrance to the complex-proper has 4 languages on it, including Khitan (rightmost)


Gathering to burn incense


Lion


West Pavilion, 1744


Turtlish creature in pavilion


Stele on its back


Yonghe Gate


A hall




"Do not throw incenses or coins"
I'm guessing paper money is alright.



Tree with no more leaves - but the fruit are still here


"Esoteric Hall", 1744





I saw a monk in a robe with canvas shoes and ankle socks.


Lion and Turtles




Yonghedian


Yonghedian interior


Ceiling hanging


Through the window


West Side Hall, 1744


Prayer drum. I turned it clockwise and the next guy did that too.
I hope I did it correctly, or I'd have spun away all my luck.


Falundian


Side view of Falundian statue


Bench with study lights


Ceiling niche decor


Mural


Wanfuge plaque, 1748-50


Wanfuge Buddha


Guinness Plaque for the Maitreya Statue (above) "carved out of a single white sandalwood tree 26 metres high"


Say "cheese"

There were some artefacts on display, and Tibet Buddhist stuff was quite different but I had no time (I still wanted to visit the Old Summer Palace) and was getting a little jaded, so I only took a forbidden photograph of one.


Cakrasamvara, 18th century
I liked this as it showed one being in the arms of another

There were some statues of famous monks. They held long pipes in their hands, like hookahs.


Jie Tai, with the 6th Baichen's mannikin in a lecturing pose. He looked as fake as Mao.