Siregtu Temple

Siregtu Temple

Siregtu Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit of China.

"Siregtu" is a Mongolian term meaning "chief" or "throne." The Han Chinese name of Siregtu Temple is "Yanshou Temple," which was bestowed by Emperor Kangxi. The temple is located at the northern end of Shitou Lane in Yuquan District, the old city of Hohhot, facing south.

According to historical records, in the ninth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1582 AD), after the death of Altan Khan of the Tümed Mongol tribe, his son, Sengge Düreng, succeeded to the khanate. After assuming power, emulating his father’s approach, he decided to invite the Third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, to spread Buddhism among the right-wing tribes of Inner Mongolia. The Third Dalai Lama accepted the invitation. To welcome the arrival of the Third Dalai Lama, Sengge Düreng built this small temple—Siregtu Temple—in the twelfth year of the Wanli era (1585 AD). Through continuous expansion and renovation during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, Xianfeng, and Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, it became the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Hohhot region and held authority over the Gelug school in the area. The temple complex is spacious and uniquely styled. Despite enduring four hundred years of storms and turmoil, it remains relatively well-preserved.

During the Third Dalai Lama’s time preaching in Hohhot, the Tibetan side sent the eminent monk Shiditu Gubuqchu to visit him specifically. In 1588, the Third Dalai Lama passed away. Before his death, he left a will instructing Shiditu Gubuqchu to take his place on the throne and continue spreading the teachings. He also directed that, after handling the relics (his remains), Shiditu Gubuqchu should go east to find his reincarnation (Hutuktu). Shiditu Gubuqchu followed his instructions, took the throne at Siregtu Temple, and took charge of Buddhist affairs in the right-wing region of Mongolia. In 1589 AD, after consulting with the feudal lords of the right-wing Mongols, Shiditu Gubuqchu selected Altan Khan’s grandson, Gyalwa Tenzen Gyatso, as the Fourth Dalai Lama. Shiditu Gubuqchu personally taught the Fourth Dalai Lama Buddhist scriptures and raised him to adulthood.

In the thirtieth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1602 AD), Shiditu Gubuqchu escorted the Fourth Dalai Lama to Tibet for the enthronement ceremony. Legend has it that during the ceremony, Shiditu Gubuqchu once sat on the Dalai Lama’s throne. The Tibetan name for the throne is "Siregtu," and he was thus called Siregtu Hutuktu. After returning to Hohhot, Shiditu Gubuqchu renamed the temple he presided over as Siregtu Temple. This Shiditu Gubuqchu was the First Siregtu. To repay Shiditu Gubuqchu for his teachings, the Fourth Dalai Lama granted him the title "Wuruluke, Bandita Guqiaoqi."

The First Siregtu, Shiditu Gubuqchu, was proficient in Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese, and well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. He once translated the Tibetan "Prajnaparamita Sutra" into Mongolian.

The current architectural complex of Siregtu Temple follows the traditional layout of central China, forming a central axis from the mountain gate to the main hall. Symmetrical side halls, storage rooms, stele pavilions, and bell and drum towers are arranged on both sides. The temple complex consists of five courtyards, with a wooden memorial archway built in front of the mountain gate. The main hall, composed of the scripture hall and Buddha hall, is the principal structure of the temple. The Buddha hall was destroyed by fire before the liberation.

Further reading:

· Seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units