Hall of Pǔdù Temple

　　The Hall of Pǔdù Temple is located in Pǔdù Temple Front Lane within Nánchízi Street, Dongcheng District. The original site was part of the Hóngqìng Palace in the southern city during the Ming Dynasty. In the early Qing Dynasty, it served as the residence of Regent (Prince Rui) Dorgon after he entered Beijing, known as the Old Prince Rui Mansion. In the 33rd year of the Kangxi reign (1694), it was rebuilt as the Mahakala Temple. In 1776, Emperor Qianlong bestowed the name “Pǔdù Temple” upon the temple. There was also another Prince Rui Mansion on Wàijiāobù Street, which was the new residence restored for the Prince Rui title in the Qianlong era. The Hall of Pǔdù Temple features grand architecture, a tall platform base in the form of a sumeru pedestal, with a width of nine bays. Its roof is covered with yellow tiles edged in green, while the front porch has green tiles edged in yellow. The eaves feature three layers of flying rafters, a rare sight in traditional Chinese architectural styles.

　　Aisin-Gioro Dorgon (1612–1650)　　Aisin-Gioro Dorgon (November 17, 1612 – December 31, 1650), son of Nurhaci, also known as Imperial Uncle Regent or Imperial Father Regent, held the title of Prince Rui of the First Rank. In his youth, Dorgon campaigned with Hong Taiji across the land. In 1635, he accepted the surrender of the Mongolian prince Ligdan Khan’s son Ejei and obtained the Imperial Seal. He later fought in the regions of Southern Mongolia and the Joseon Dynasty, leading the Qing army into the Central Plains and unifying the nation. After Shunzhi entered the capital, Dorgon was promoted to Imperial Uncle Regent, and in the fifth year of Shunzhi’s reign, became Imperial Father Regent. In 1650, Dorgon fell from his horse and was injured while hunting outside Gubeikou, later passing away at Kālā City outside Gubeikou at the age of 39. ...   More+