EXTRA: Zhihua Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 13, 2013.)

Roof brackets inside one of the dilapidated halls (殿) of
Zhihua Temple (智化寺) in the alleys (胡同) of Beijing (北京)

July 15, 2011 - Because my flight out of Beijing was late in the day, I had a little extra time on my hands and decided to spend it viewing a curiosity.

Zhihua Temple lies hidden in the famous hutongs (alleyways) of Beijing, in the eastern-lying Dongcheng District area of the city. There are several unique attributes of this Ming-period temple, the most notable of which is that has been blatantly sacked by collectors. The central panels of the decorated ceiling in one hall were sold by the monks to the Nelson Museum of Kansas City, Kansas, back in the 1930s; and a number of the main statues are missing.

EXTRA: The Temple of Heaven, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 6, 2013.)

The mammoth Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests(祈年殿) at the Temple of Heaven (天坛), Beijing (北京)

July 14, 2011 - During my stay in Beijing, I was focused on my list of 142 key temples and had little time for more general sightseeing. But my patron insisted on my seeing the Temple of Heaven, so I spent a pleasant afternoon there.

No. 54: Yonghe Gong Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 15, 2013.)

The Longevity Buddha (长寿佛) is in a pagoda (塔) inside a hall
(殿) at Yonghegong ("Lama")  Temple (雍和宫), Beijing (北京)

July 12, 2011 - Beijing's Yonghe Gong--"The Palace of Peace and Harmony"--is nothing short of stunning. Set in the midst of the city on a huge piece of land (nearly a half-kilometer in length) it can absorb thousands of visitors and still maintain its signature atmosphere of tranquility.

No. 53: Fayuan Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 8, 2013.)

This bowl of lotus flowers (莲花) stands in a courtyard at Fayuan Temple (法源寺), Beijing (北京)

July 11, 2011 - Fayuan ("Source of the Dharma") Temple in Beijing is located behind a small park, not far from the largest and oldest mosque in Beijing. Fayuan is currently Beijing's oldest temple. It was first built in 645 in honor of deceased officers and soldiers who had been loyal to the emperor. Niujie Mosque is a relative latecomer, dating only to 996!

No. 52: Guangji Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 1, 2013.)

These steles (石碑) stand in front of a hall (殿) at Guangji Temple (广济寺), Beijing (北京)

July 10, 2011 - Although it is the 52nd temple I have visited on my list of China's 142 key Buddhist temples, Beijing's Guangji ("Spreading Relief") Temple is perhaps not coincidentally the first one on the list itself. Built in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), today it houses the Buddhist Association of China.

No. 51: Guanghua Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 25, 2013.)

Two of the Heavenly Kings (天王), namely Virupaksa (广目天王) left and
Vaishravana (多闻天王) right at Guanghua Temple (广化寺), Beijing (北京)

July 10, 2011 - Guanghua ("Spreading Transformation") Temple was one of the most pleasant I saw in Beijing. Located not far from the shores of picturesque Houhai Lake, it stands in small alleys just west of the renowned Bell and Drum Towers of Beijing. The neighborhood is filled with small shops, other temples, and--yes--plenty of tourists in summertime.

No. 50: Xihuang Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 18, 2013.)

The gate is all most people see at Xihuang Temple (西黄寺), Beijing (北京); the grounds are closed to the public.

July 10, 2011 - Ah, Xihuangsi! One of the best temples I've never seen!

Though I was able to visit Tongjiao Temple by waiting until the 15th day of the lunar month, I wasn't allowed into Xihuang (West Yellow) Temple at all.

No. 49: Tongjiao Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 11, 2013.)

The streetside gate at Tongjiao Temple (通教寺) in Beijing (北京) is as picturesque as anything inside.

July 10, 2011 - My next destination was a world apart from the greenery of Badachu Park. Tongjiao (maybe "Skillful Teaching") Temple is located just off of busy Dongzhimen North Alley, and is surrounded by urban development.

EXTRA: Three Temples in Badachu

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 4, 2013.)

Xiangjie ("Incense or Fragrant World") Temple (香界寺) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京), had a
collection of statues in a couple of pavilions outside, including these two Hell Beings (地狱众生).

July 9, 2011 - It's a comfortable downhill walk from Baozhu Cave to Badachu's other temples. I saw three of them, with plenty of rest stops. Yet, in around two hours I was back at the Relic Pagoda near the entrance to the park.

EXTRA: Sanshan Nunnery and Baozhu Cave, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 25, 2013.)

This quaint wooden gate presages the simplicity of Sanshan An (三山庵=
Three Mountain Nunnery) in Badachu (八大处) Park, Beijing (北京).

July 9, 2011 - Leaving the Relic Pagoda, my student/patron and I walked toward the cable car station. On the way we passed tiny Sanshan Nunnery. Centered around one courtyard, it was built in 1151 and named for the three sets of hills where Badachu is located: Cuiwei, Pinpo, and Lushi Hills. It was quaint, but only took a moment for viewing.

We then pressed on to the station, where we bought tickets to the top of Pinpo Hill where Baozhu ("Precious Pearl") Cave is located. On the way up, we had spectacular views of the Relic Pagoda and the city beyond.

No. 48: Lingguang Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 18, 2013.)

The well-venerated base is all that remains of the Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda (佛牙
舍利塔) at Lingguang Temple (灵光寺), one of the "Eight Great Sites" (八大处=Badachu) in
western Beijing (北京). The newly-built replacement can be seen in the upper right.

July 9, 2011 - My next temple trip took place in the summer of 2011. A local businessman, a student of mine, offered to take me along on a business trip to Beijing. He put me in one of the most expensive hotels in the capital, and paid for a car and driver to take me around. A five-star pilgrim!

My first goal was Badachu ("Eight Great Sites") Park at the base of the Western Hills. I saw six of the eight that day!

The only one on my list of 142 temples was the "Sheli Ta" or Relic Pagoda located at Lingguang Temple. The new pagoda is big and beautiful; but for beauty's sake the real attraction is the pedestal of the original pagoda.

Trip 9: Beijing and Tianjin(July 8-16, 2011)

This is a record of my ninth trip to visit the 142 Key Temples of China. Links lead to articles on the temple (or other site) named.