subject: Discovering Tibetan Buddhism In Beijing [print this page] Chinese culture is awash with numerous reminders of its religious heritage. Among them is the ancient Yonghe Gong temple in northern Beijing that can trace its history back to the Qing dynasty. Some would consider the presence of the Yonghe Gong temple in the Chinese capital of Beijing to be an oddity in itself, as it is one of the few temples devoted to practicing the Tibetan brand of Buddhism.
Whatever political interpretation may be given by historians as to its presence, the fact of its historical and cultural significance remains. The temple was originally intended to be used as a place of residence for a Qing dynasty prince when it was constructed in 1694. However in 1744 the palace was converted into a monastery for Tibetan and Mongolian monks.
Today the temple holds special significance as it is the venue for the selection of the Mongolian Living Buddha- the spiritual leader of Buddhism in Mongolia and is similar to what the Dalai Lama is to Tibetan Buddhists. The selection process is quite simple and has remained unchanged for centuries: names of potential monks are put in to a gold urn and one is picked at random.
Also of significance is the selection of the Panchen Lama who is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists in China. However this positioned has long been dismissed by purists and many claim it to be a puppet position dictated by the Chinese government.
The architecture of the temple is typical of monasteries seen in China; intricate woodwork and yellow ceramic roof tiles are its most distinctive features. The monastery is composed of a complex of intricately designed and crafted buildings; each one being meant for a specific purpose. The Yonghe Gong temple, though being located in the northern part of Beijing, is within easy reach of Beijing luxury apartments such as the Ascott Beijing which is a great option for long stay travelers in the city.
