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Taer Monastery (Kumbum Monastery, "Kumbum" is
from Tibetan language) Kumbum Monastery, the birthplace
of Tsong Kha-pa, the founder of the yellow sect,
is one of the six major lamaseries of yellow sect
in Tibetan Buddhism.
It is a garden-like architectural
complex of blending Han and Tibetan architecture.
Its main buildings are Eight Pagodas, the Grand
Golden-tiled Hall, the Small Golden-tiled Hall
, the Grand scripture Hall, the Longevity Hall
and the Palace of Panchen Lama.
The Eight Pagodas were set
up in line in honor of the eight virtues in Sakyamunis'
life. What's more, butter sculptures, embossed
embroidery and fresco are claimed as ¡°three
wonders of art¡± in the Lamasery. Besides,
four grand Buddhist rituals are given respectively
in January, April , June and September in each
lunar year.
Grand Golden Tiled
Hall
Occupying an area of
456 square meters, 19 meters in height,the Grand
Golden Tiled Hall was built in 1379 (the 12th
year of the reign of Hongwu, Ming Dynasty). The
hall, with three-layered or gable style roof,
is a Chinese palace style architecture, which
mixes characteristics of both Han and Tibetan
nationalities.
Its Walls are formed with glazed
bricks and its roof is covered with gilded bronze
tiles.There are some golden vases and flame-emitting
ornaments on the ridges of its roof.
Inside the hall there are some
statues of Buddha, an 11-meter-high silver dagoba
, gold lamps, ancient vases, ivory tusks and other
instruments used in Buddhist Mass.
Great Hall of Sutras
The Great Hall of Sutras,
the biggest meeting place for lamas to pray and
chant sutras, covering an area of 2,750 square
meters, was originally built in 1600 (the 39th
year of the reign of Wan Li, Ming Dynasty ) and
rebuilt after a fire in 1912.
The hall has 168 pillars,
each wrapped with a colorful Tibetan carpet with
dragon desinns on it . The floor is covered with
line after line of seating platforms with colorful
carpet cushions on them. The hall is ornamented
with painted dou gong (wooden square blocks supporting
beams and girders), beams , zao jing (ceiling
decorations ) and murals concerning Buddhist legends
and also has beautiful drapes, sutra cloths, steamers,
canopies, embroidery and appliqu¨¦d embroidery
hanging from beams.
Against the four walls of the
hall are shelves containing Buddhist Sutras in
Tibetan language and nines enshring 1,000 Buddha
statues. Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama, and abbot to
preach Buddhism exclusively sues the yellow throne,
set in the front of the hall, On its roof are
some gilded ornaments such as streamers, pinnacles,
vases, wheels of law and deer etc.
Small Gold-tiled Hall
Small Gold-tiled Hall , also
called the Hall of the Defender of Buddhism, is
a two-storied building. It was built in 1692 (the
31st year of the reign of Kangxi, Qing Dynasty).
Its roof is covered with gilded
bronze tiles. In the hall are five statues of
defenders of Buddhism, which are symbols to dispel
evil spirits and to protect justice and law. Specimens
of wild ox, black bear and other animals, standing
on both sides of corridors upstairs, are made
delicately and look lifelike.
Eight Pogodas of Buddha
Sakyamuni
These eight pagodas are arranged
in one row in front of the lamasery. Each of them,
being bottle-shaped, with a pinnacle top on it,
stands on square pedestal .
They were erected to commemorate
and praise the eight stages of Sakyamuni¡¯s
life. They are Lotus Pagoda, Bodhi Pagoda, Many
Doors Pagoda, Conquering Heresies Pagoda, Reborn
Pagoda, Reconciling Discussion Pagoda, Victory
Pagoda and Nirvana Pagoda.
Four Religious Festivals
The four religious festivals
in each year, also known as ¡°four sightseeing
occasions¡±, are ¡°the great prayer
meeting ¡°held from the 8th to 15th of the
first lunar month,¡±¡° the fourth
month prayer meeting¡±for commemorating
the birth, becoming a monk and virvana of Sakyamuni
meld from the 8th to 15th of the fourth lunar
month, ¡°the meeting of turning Sutra Wheel
three times¡± for commemorating three Buddhist
lectures by Sakyamuni held from 3rd and 8th of
the sixth lunar month, and ¡°the meeting
of commemorating Sakyamuni's birth¡±held
from 20th to 26th of the ninth lunar month.
During the days of these four
religious festivals many religious activities
are held, such as grand worshipping Buddha, Chanting
Sutras, Dancing , Butter Sculptures Showing Display
and airing huge portraits of Buddha.
In addition commodities
fairs are held at the same time, which add a more
festival atmosphere to Taer Lamasery. |
