The History of Lama Temple

Yonghegong Lamasery also known as Yonghegong Lama Temple, is a famous lamasery located in the northeastern part of Beijing with a total area of 66,400 square meters. During the Qing Dynasty, it first was the living place for Prince Yinzhen, later it was changed to be a lamasery in 1744 by Emperor Qianlong. Today Yonghegong Lama Temple is not only a famous but the largest and the best-preserved lamasery in Beijing.

In the Ming dynasty, this place was called Tai Bao Street, a residential area for the eunuchs. In 1694 the Qing Emperor Kangxi enfeoffed this area to his fourth son, Prince Yinzhen to build a palatial residence and then it was called Prince Palace. In 1709 when Prince Yinzhen was entitled Heshuo of Prince Yong, it was changed to Palace Mansion of Prince Yong. In 1723 Prince Yinzhen succeeded the throne. He moved to the Forbidden City and became Emperor Yongzheng. In 1725, he ordered to enlarge the palace and gave the name “Yonghe Palace”.

After Emperor Yongzheng died, his son Emperor Qianlong changed this place into a lamasery in 1744, but retained the name of Yonghe Palace. The reason for Emperor Qianlong changed his father’s place to a lamasery is as follows:

Firstly, both Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong had lived here before they came to the throne, so as a rule, the former imperial residence then became a Residence of Hidden Dragon, it could not serve for secular use but had to remain as a temple. Secondly, because Emperor Qianlong firmly believed in Tibetan Buddhism, he wanted for show his respects for Tibetan Buddhism, which is also known as Lamaism. Thirdly, for strengthening the unity with the miority ethnic groups and maintaining the political unity with Mogolia and Tibet, Emperor Qianlong changed Yonghegong to a lamasery, In this way, religion played a very important role in promoting harmony and cementing the relationship with the Mongolian and Tibetan people.

Today , Yonghegong Lama Temple attracts thousands of people every day. There are a large number of vividly sculptured Buddhist images, a large collection of Tibetan-style paintings and delicate frescoes, scriptures and religious instruments inside the Yonghegong Lama Temple.

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--The History of Lama Temple
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