Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t36: Yonghegong Temple
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t36
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Yonghegong Temple
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dgav ldan byin chgs gling is a well-known temple of dge lugs pa of Tibetan Buddhism, the first imperial temple in Beijing, located in present-day Dongcheng District, Beijing.
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Reputed as the first imperial temple of Tibetan Buddhism, Dgav Ldan Byin Chgs Gling enjoys a high religious status and has a profound influence on politics, economy and culture in Tibet and Mongolia.
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In 1744, Qing Emperor Qianlong issued an edict of rebuilding dgav ldan byin chgs gling into a Buddhism Temple and named it as dgav ldan byin chgs gling with the meaning of magnificent island. The tablets bearing his inscription were put up in west and east pavilions in front of the Hall of Heavenly Kings, with the tablet carrying Manchu and Chinese erected in east pavillion and the tablet carrying Mongolian and Tibetan stood in the west pavillion.
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dgav ldan byin chgs gling founded mtshan nyid grwa tshang, sngags pa grwa tshang, sman pa grwa tshang and dus vkhor grwa tshang and eminent Tibetan monks served as mkhan po. From the entire layout of the temple, dgav ldan byin chgs gling placed emphasis on *Tantra*. Apart from mtshan nyid grwa tshang, other grwa tshangs all closely linked to *Tantra*. Specifically speaking, sngags pa grwa tshang specialised in studying into *Tantric* doctrine, teaching *tantric* initiation and ritual practices and enlightening virtuous disciples; sman pa grwa tshang, Tantric lineage, studied into astronomy and calendar and preached Kalachakra lineage; dus vkhor grwa tshang studied into rgyud-bzhi and Somaratsa and performed *Tantric* rituals.
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Monks were selected from young intelligent people from 49 Mongolian banners, seven Khalkha clans and Chinese and Tibetan Regions and edified into eminent monks who respected for national policies, behaved in good manner and excelled in Buddhist doctrines and precepts. After they completed study, they were assigned to administer religious affairs in Beijing or went to Tibet or Mongolia to attend to local religious affairs.
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Dgav ldan byin chgs gling established quota of 500 monks, ranking topmost among Tibetan Buddhist temples in the mainland. In old days, in addition to studying and practicing teaching and ritual practices, monks were required to take on religious tasks assigned by court and other palaces as well as undertake religious activities in need when emperor did tour of inspection outside Beijing. Qing court viewed dgav ldan byin chgs gling as imperial ancestral temple and designated imperial clan members and princes to administer religious affairs. Additionally, it set up the Lama office to administer Tibetan Buddhist temples in capital, Eastern Mausoleum, Western Masoleum, Rehe and Wutai Mountain.
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The rituals followed the canon of major temples of dge lugs pa of Tibetan Buddhism and dgav ldan byin chgs gling served a temple for common monks to convert to Buddhism and practice *dharma* as well as an important religious site favored by Qing emperors. In 1780, the sixth Panchen Lama preached *dharma*
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Yonghegong Temple, Beijing, China
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and precepts for Emperor Qianlong in a hall at dgav ldan byin chgs gling and posterity named the hall as “Ordained Platform” which was opened to the public for admiration and worship.
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Dgav ldan byin chgs gling played a vital role in India-China Buddhist cultural exchange and it is renowned as a unique temple that integrates Chinese palace architectural layout with Indian Buddhist cultural elements.
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(*Kalsang gyal*)