Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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)

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Complex entrance

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Entrance from the carpark

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Yonghegong (Lama Temple) information panel

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

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Pathway in

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

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Gathering to burn incense

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Lion

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West Pavilion, 1744

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Turtlish creature in pavilion

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Stele on its back

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Yonghe Gate

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A hall

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

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

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"Esoteric Hall", 1744

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

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Lion and Turtles

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Yonghedian

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Yonghedian interior

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Ceiling hanging

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Through the window

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West Side Hall, 1744

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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.

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Falundian

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Side view of Falundian statue

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Bench with study lights

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Ceiling niche decor

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Mural

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Wanfuge plaque, 1748-50

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Wanfuge Buddha

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

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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.

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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.

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