Guangzong Temple (Inner Mongolia)
Guangzong Temple (simplified Chinese: 广宗寺; traditional Chinese: 廣宗寺; pinyin: Guǎngzōng Sì), more commonly known as the Southern Temple (南寺), is a Buddhist temple located in Bieli Town of Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia, China.[1][2][3]
| Guangzong Temple | |
|---|---|
广宗寺 | |
 A distant view of Guangzong Temple in July 2010. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Deity | Tibetan Buddhism (Gelug) |
| Leadership | Living Buddha Jialasen (贾拉森) |
| Location | |
| Location | Bieli Town, Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia |
| Country | China |
  Shown within Inner Mongolia | |
| Geographic coordinates | 38°40′09″N 105°48′50″E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Ahwang Duoerji (阿旺多尔济) |
| Date established | 1757 |
| Completed | 1981 (reconstruction) |
| Demolished | 1971 |
History
Qing dynasty
Guangzong Temple was first built by Ahwang Duoerji (阿旺多尔济), a disciple of the 6th Dalai Lama, in 1757, in the reign of Qianlong Emperor (1736–1795) the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It initially called "Ahda Ximai Deli Temple" (阿大西迈德里庙). The body of the 6th Dalai Lama was preserved in the temple. Three years later, Qianlong Emperor inscribed and honored the name "Guangzong Temple" (广宗寺) in Mongolian, Chinese, Tibetan and Manchu. In the ruling of Daoguang Emperor (1821–1850), the temple was largely extended. In 1869, in the Tongzhi period (1862–1874), Guangzong Temple was completely destroyed by heartless flames of war, only the Kalachakra Hall (时轮殿) and Vajrayogini Hall (金刚亥母殿) survived. Guangzong Temple was restored and redecorated in the Guangxu period (1875–1908).[4][2][5]
People's Republic of China
In 1966, Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards had attacked Guangzong Temple, volumes of sutras, historical documents, and other works of art were either removed, damaged or destroyed in the ten-year movement. And the body of the 6th Dalai Lama was burned down by the Red Guards. In 1971, Guangzong Temple was dismantled and the temple fell into ruins.[2]
After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, regular scripture lectures, meditation and other features of temple life were resumed in Yanfu Temple. In 1981, 15 halls and rooms were restored in the ruins. The ashes of the 6th Dalai Lama were enshrined in a newly established stupa.[2]
In 1991, the Main Assembly Hall (大经堂) and the Bstankhang Hall (赞康殿) were consecrated by the Living Buddha Jialasen (贾拉森). Ten year later, the Yellow Hall (黄楼庙) was restored, sariras of the 6th Dalai Lama were preserved in the hall.[2]
Architecture
Guangzong Temple is situated in the west hillside of Helan Mountains and consists of over 20 halls and rooms, the existing main buildings include Main Assembly Hall, Mahavira Hall and Yellow Hall.[4]
References
- Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 64.
- 承载历史的贺兰山广宗寺体验乾隆时代（图组）. sina (in Chinese). 9 May 2014.
- 探访仓央嘉措安度晚年的藏传佛教圣地:广宗寺. Chinanews (in Chinese). 16 October 2017.
- Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 64–65.
- 走读广宗寺：仓央嘉措与阿拉善的传奇. sohu (in Chinese). 20 October 2016.
Bibliography
- Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "The Graveyard of the 6th Dalai Lama: Guangzong Temple in Helan Mountain" 《六世达赖葬身之地：贺兰山广宗寺》. 《图解中国著名佛教寺院》 [Illustration of Famous Buddhist Temples in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5154-0135-5.