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This page was last updated on: June 21, 2017
The Courtyard in front of the Fa Lun Hall holds , as is quite traditional , 2 towers. One the Drum Tower , and the second the Bell Tower.
Beijing City itself has 2 similar towers. These 2 , much larger in size , stand farther to the North at the end of DianMen Jie' and can be seen from the Top of the Jade Island Mount , as well as from the Wanchun Pavillion at neighbouring Jingshan Park.
This perticular Bell Tower has been combined with a small Temple holding a fine Golden Boddhisattva, or aspiring Buddha.
Before a Boddhitsattva is a Buddha he has a long way to go, as do we on our way through the Temple to the White Dagoba Bai Ta at the Top.
Beihai Park and the White Dagoba
- Click to enlarge photo -
Fa Lun Hall Courtyard - Gulou or Drum Tower
The visiting of the Gulou interior requires another entrance fee, this time 2 yuan , quite a low sum.
As the Buddhisattva happily smiles at us we crawl through.
The Buddha Vikarna , sitting on a Lotus Flower hovering between Heaven and Earth , he is here to teach us about mental and physical Liberation.
Makes you wonder if this means it wants to turn into Solid Gold , but we leave it be because of Its modest financial requirements.
The Temple Bell as seen from two sides.
This Bell shaped object is rung not by swinging it,
but by swinging a heavy wooden pole against it. The Pole can be seen suspended in chains next to the Temple Bell.
Detail of the Temple Bell Top. Today the Bell is suspended on a metal hook from the Ceiling , but in ancient times a hennep rope or leather belt was used.
The top of this heavy bronze Bell is intricately worked into a Mythical Beast.
Judging from the scales, location and history it is probably and Imperial Dragon.
But experts on Chinese Mythology may say otherwise.
The View from the Bell Tower standing next to the Bell Pole. Down below the courtyard square with in it's centre a giant bronze incenseholder.
The View from the Bell Tower.
Chinese Temple Complexes are generally layed out to the same plan. That is .. with considerable variety of lay-out, mind you!
However , after Passing under an Arch, one generally meets the Front Gate. Then, passing through the Gate one meets a courtyard.
Any important Temple courtyard holds not 1 but two Towers.
The Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. These two towers had different functions in sounding out the watches and special occassions and celebrations.
A time-damaged piece of Ming Syle ceiling art popular throughout palaces , temples and museums in China , especially in and around Beijing.
Much of these handcrafted paintings , which are always varied and often unique , are now newly painted and applied in fresh paint and color.
Much of the Ancient splendor and glamour is restored in this way, as seen at The Summer Palace. However, there is not always time or money to document and preserve every piece.
So please do pay our Golden Boddhisattva friend.
Having seen all the small Bell Tower has to offer ,
we descend down the wooden ladder and past the smiling Golden Boddhisattva. The now spacy courtyard and Zheng Jiao Hall await.
