Xiangjiao Temple

Xiangjiao Temple

Xiangjiao Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xiangjiao Temple is located to the east of Xingyuan Temple, sharing a wall with it. Built in the ninth year of the Kangxi reign (1670 AD), it is commonly known as "Shangcang" ("cang" meaning apartment or residence). It served as the living and working quarters for the Jasag Da-lama. The architectural layout of Xiangjiao Temple differs from that of Xingyuan Temple — its mountain gate is within the compound wall, and it consists of a single courtyard, which was the site for the Tibetan Buddhist Cham dance. The mountain gate is a three-bay hip-and-gable roof structure with three gates: a large central one and two smaller side ones. Entering the mountain gate leads to the square where the Cham dance is performed. Near the wall in front of the square stands an octagonal screen wall in flush gable style, over ten feet high and about thirty feet long from east to west, resembling a tall screen that echoes the mountain gate from afar. The second courtyard faces the main hall of Xiangjiao Temple — a three-bay single-eave hip-and-gable roof building. The main statue enshrined inside is a life-sized statue of Maitreya Buddha, hence the hall is also called the Maitreya Hall. Behind the main hall is a floral-patterned wall, with a hanging floral gate at its center. Passing through the hanging floral gate leads to the third courtyard, which features a five-bay flush gable roof building, namely the Amitayus Buddha Hall, used by the Jasag Da-lama for Buddhist worship. On either side are six round-eave wing rooms, connected to those in the second courtyard, serving as the offices of the administrative bureau (office).

Xiangjiao Temple was the center for exercising both political and religious power. Those who served under the Jasag Da-lama in Xiangjiao Temple would walk out feeling superior and would look down on lamas from other temples. Lamas from other temples would not dare enter without official business, which is why the saying “The falcon in the temple fears the sparrow in the warehouse” was widely circulated in those days. By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, there were over 100 lamas in Xiangjiao Temple.

Location

Xiangjiao Temple, Kulun Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

The Three Great Temples of Kulun

Xingyuan Temple

Fuyuan Temple