The Yonghe Lama Temple, also known as the Palace of Peace and Harmony, is a Tibetan Buddhist temple located in the Dongcheng district of Beijing, China. It was built in the 17th century during the Qing dynasty and is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. Here are some interesting facts about the temple:
It was originally built as a palace: The Yonghe Lama Temple was originally built as a palace for Prince Yongzheng, who later became the Yongzheng Emperor. After his death, the palace was converted into a lamasery and has been used as a temple ever since.
The temple is a fusion of Tibetan and Chinese architectural styles: The temple is a unique fusion of Tibetan and Chinese architectural styles, reflecting the religious and cultural influences of both regions. The temple features traditional Chinese-style gates, archways, and courtyards, as well as Tibetan-style prayer halls and stupas.
The temple houses many important Buddhist artifacts: The Yonghe Lama Temple is home to many important Buddhist artifacts, including a 26-meter-tall wooden statue of Maitreya Buddha, the largest of its kind in the world. The temple also houses over 18,000 Buddhist scriptures and a number of rare Buddhist relics.
It is a popular tourist attraction: The temple attracts millions of visitors each year, both tourists and locals alike. Many people come to the temple to witness the elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals performed by the monks.
It is still an active temple: Despite its popularity as a tourist attraction, the Yonghe Lama Temple is still an active temple, with dozens of monks living and practicing there. Visitors can observe the monks performing their daily rituals and can even participate in meditation and other Buddhist practices.
The temple has survived numerous wars and disasters: The temple has survived numerous wars and disasters over the centuries, including fires, earthquakes, and invasions. Despite these challenges, the temple has been painstakingly restored and preserved, and remains one of the most important and beautiful examples of Buddhist architecture in the world.