Falun Temple

Falun Temple

Falun Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Originally the family temple of the Zhasake clan of the Zhongqi Banner government of the Karachin, it is located in the west courtyard of the Dachengzi Town government in Ningcheng County, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was originally the banner temple of the Mongolian nobles of the Karachin tribe, descendants of the Yuan Dynasty official Jilama. It was one of the ten most renowned Yellow Sect temples during the Qing Dynasty. On May 3, 2013, the State Council announced it as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Covering an area of 22,000 square meters, it originally had 14 main buildings and 8 auxiliary structures. -- At the very front of the temple is a 30-meter-long and 20-meter-wide terrace, with flagpoles erected on both sides. Behind the terrace is the Hall of Heavenly Kings, built on a square stone base, with a single-eave hanging gable and three bays, housing statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. To the east of the Hall of Heavenly Kings is the Guardian Deity Hall, consisting of three single-eave flush-gable rooms. Behind the Hall of Heavenly Kings, on both the east and west sides, are double-eave bell and drum towers, built on 2-meter-high square bluestone bases. North of the Hall of Heavenly Kings lies the Standing Meditation Temple, constructed on a rectangular base, with a double-eave hip-and-gable roof, eight bays, and housing statues of the Eight Great Vajras. Behind the Standing Meditation Temple is the main structure of the temple, measuring 31 meters in length, 23.7 meters in width, and 20 meters in height, featuring a triple-eave hip-and-gable construction, with seven gates at the front, the central gate being the largest, all with arched tops. Columns are arranged around the structure, with arches and beams atop them. The column bases consist of one-meter-high rectangular stone platforms and circular foundations carved with patterns. Beside the gates are lotus-patterned drum-shaped stone pedestals, exquisitely carved. The eaves, beams, and column surfaces are painted in colors, and the roof boards and brackets feature colorful paintings. Around the temple, on the base, there is a surrounding corridor. The main Buddha enshrined inside is Sakyamuni. -- Behind the temple stands an octagonal, four-eave tower-like building called the Octagonal Scripture Tower, with arched gates. Inside, besides scriptures, it houses the six-character mantra “Namo Amitabha.” Behind the Octagonal Temple is the Arhat Hall. Built on a square base, it is a two-story pavilion-style structure, with five arched gates at the front of each level, housing statues of the Buddha. In 1948, troops were stationed here, and the hall was burned down due to a heating stove fire. Further back is the Labaren Temple, featuring upturned eaves and a flush-gable roof, serving as the residence of the Grand Lama. Behind and on both sides are eight single-eave structures with flush-gable roofs and rolled eaves, serving as living quarters for lamas. The architectural complex is enclosed by walls, with several ancient pine trees within the courtyard and several lama residences outside. The Buddha statues inside the temple have been destroyed.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units