Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Dongyue Temple
Sunday morning following the Messiah concert, I decided to explore some of the Eastern part of Beijing on foot before the afternoon Lacrosse clinic. It was a clear, crisp cold day. In the summer, I decided not to see all of the temples within Beijing until I understood more of the history. Today was a perfect day to pick a temple to explore.
Dongyue temple sits 500 meters OUTSIDE the original city wall of Beijing. This temple has been ravaged many times over the years, but it now sits as an island in the middle of skyscrapers on one of the busiest streets in the center of Beijing.
Upon entering, I am overwhelmed by the number of red cards on strings hanging from anything that can hold a string. (see the photo album) The wind was whistling through the temple and these cards clacked in the wind. I later found out that these are “Good Wish Prayer Cards” that you purchase and bestow upon the 70 some odd Gods in the Temple. The Temple had many rooms with statues to represent 50+ areas of heaven, 20 areas of Hell, etc.
It is a very impressive display of architecture, devotion and belief to the Taoist gods. The fact that it still exists is also very amazing.
Dongyue temple sits 500 meters OUTSIDE the original city wall of Beijing. This temple has been ravaged many times over the years, but it now sits as an island in the middle of skyscrapers on one of the busiest streets in the center of Beijing.
Upon entering, I am overwhelmed by the number of red cards on strings hanging from anything that can hold a string. (see the photo album) The wind was whistling through the temple and these cards clacked in the wind. I later found out that these are “Good Wish Prayer Cards” that you purchase and bestow upon the 70 some odd Gods in the Temple. The Temple had many rooms with statues to represent 50+ areas of heaven, 20 areas of Hell, etc.
It is a very impressive display of architecture, devotion and belief to the Taoist gods. The fact that it still exists is also very amazing.
