The Lama Temple (Yonghegong) is not just a Buddhist monastery, but a unique architectural and spiritual complex where Chinese, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultures intertwine. Located in the northeastern part of Beijing, this majestic ensemble is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple of the Gelug school (the Yellow Hat sect) in China`s capital.
Its total area exceeds 66 thousand square meters, and the temple grounds contain more than a thousand rooms.
History of Construction: From Princely Residence to Imperial Temple
The history of Yonghegong Temple began in 1694, when Emperor Kangxi built a residence here for his fourth son — Prince Yinzhen. In 1723, the prince ascended the throne under the name of Emperor Yongzheng, and his former residence received the status of an imperial palace, and in 1725 it was renamed "Yonghegong Palace."
After Yongzheng`s death in 1735, his coffin was temporarily placed in this palace. His son, Emperor Qianlong, bestowed upon the temple the highest imperial status and replaced the turquoise roof tiles with yellow ones — a color that was allowed to be used only on imperial buildings. In 1744, Yonghegong officially became a Lamaist monastery and a center of Tibetan Buddhism in China.
Today, Yonghegong is an active monastery where prayers and rituals are held daily. It is included in the list of the most important cultural monuments of China.
Architectural Structure of the Lama Temple
The entire complex of the Lama Temple Yonghegong is built along a central north-south axis. The height of the buildings decreases from north to south, and the main temple rises above the other structures. The red walls and yellow tiles are reminiscent of the former imperial status of this monastery.
The visitor`s route passes through five main halls, arranged sequentially one after another:
• Yonghe Gate (Hall of the Heavenly Kings)
• Main Hall of Yonghegong
• Hall of Eternal Protection (Yongyou)
• Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Falundian)
• Pavilion of Ten Thousand Blessings (Wanfuge)
Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Yonghe Gate) — The First Statue of Maitreya
This is the first hall that greets visitors at the entrance to the monastery. In the center of the hall stands a statue of Buddha Maitreya (the Future Buddha) — smiling, with a large belly, in the traditional Chinese Buddhist image. On both sides of him are the Four Heavenly Kings — mighty protectors of the Buddhist teachings, each holding a symbolic object: a sword, a jewel, an umbrella, and a snake.
Main Hall of Yonghegong — The Three Buddhas of the Three Times
The second hall, also known as the Hall of Harmony and Peace, is the central religious structure of the monastery. Here stand three bronze statues, each about two meters tall, representing the Buddhas of the Three Times (Past, Present, and Future):
• Buddha of the Past — Kasyapa (Dipankara)
• Buddha of the Present — Shakyamuni (the Historical Buddha)
• Buddha of the Future — Maitreya
Behind the statues are 18 carved figures of arhats (holy disciples of the Buddha) and a mandala depicting the bodhisattva Guanyin — the goddess of mercy. It is in this hall that visitors most often seek blessings for financial well-being and prosperity.
Hall of Eternal Protection (Yongyoudian) — The Healing Buddha
The third hall once served as the residence of Prince Yongzheng, and after his death, his coffin was temporarily kept here. Today, in the center of the hall stands a statue of the Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru) — azure-blue in color, symbolizing health and healing. This hall is traditionally associated with protection from evil and prevention of misfortune.
Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Falundian)
The fourth hall is one of the most interesting structures of Yonghegong. Architecturally, it is unique in that it combines features of Han and Tibetan traditions: above the tiled roof rise five Tibetan superstructures, symbolizing the sacred Mount Meru with its four continents.
In the center of the hall stands a six-meter bronze statue of Tsongkhapa — the founder of the Gelug school (the Yellow Hat sect) of Tibetan Buddhism.
The main treasure of this hall is the Mountain of 500 Arhats (lohans), one of the three greatest treasures of the temple. This is a masterfully executed sculptural composition almost 4 meters high made of red sandalwood, in the cells of which are placed hundreds of tiny figures of saints, cast from gold, silver, bronze, iron, and tin.
Pavilion of Ten Thousand Blessings (Wanfuge) — The Giant Statue of Maitreya
The fifth and final hall is the main reason tourists flock to the Lama Temple Yonghegong. Here stands the tallest wooden Buddha statue in the world in an enclosed space, which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The height of the statue of Maitreya (the Future Buddha) is 26 meters: 18 meters above the ground and another 8 meters go deep underground, ensuring stability. The diameter of the statue is 8 meters.
The most amazing thing is that this colossal figure was carved from a single trunk of white sandalwood brought from Nepal. According to legend, the Seventh Dalai Lama traded this sacred tree for jewels in Nepal and sent it as a gift to Emperor Qianlong. The transportation of the trunk from Nepal to Beijing alone took three whole years.
The statue depicts Maitreya in royal form: in a five-petal crown with an image of Shakyamuni in the center, in rich ornaments and freely flowing robes. In his right hand, the Buddha holds a lotus stem, while his left hand is raised in the teaching gesture (vitarka mudra).
The Three Greatest Treasures of Yonghegong
In conclusion, we can highlight three main masterpieces of wood carving for which this temple is famous:
• The Mountain of 500 Arhats in the Hall of the Wheel of the Law, made of red sandalwood.
• The Giant Statue of Maitreya in the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Blessings — a 26-meter masterpiece of solid white sandalwood.
• The Buddhist niche of golden nanmu wood (mahila), which houses a bronze statue of Buddha against a background of carved flames.
The Lama Temple Yonghegong is not just a tourist attraction, but a spiritual center and a unique architectural monument that has survived to this day practically unchanged since the 18th century. Here, in the very heart of modern Beijing, visitors can not only see the greatest masterpieces of wood carving but also experience the authentic atmosphere of Buddhist worship that has reigned in this temple for more than two and a half centuries.
Yonghegong remains a place where Chinese, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultures harmoniously merge into a single whole, making it a must-visit for everyone who wants to understand the multifaceted culture of the Middle Kingdom.
