|
Jie Tai Temple is situated in the western suburb of Beijing and
to the southeast of Tan Zhe Temple. It was constructed in the
fifth year of Emperor Wu De's reign (AD 622) of the Tang Dynasty
and its name was changed into Wan Shou longevity Temple in the
thirteenth year of Emperor Zheng Tong's reign (AD 1448) of the
Ming Dynasty. It was reconstructed in the periods of Emperor Kang
Xi and Emperor Qian Long of 
the Qing Dynasty, but the name remained the same.
Because of the largest altar of the Chinese
monasteries built in the temple, it is called Jie Tai Temple (Temple
of bestowing the monk or nun status). There are three such kinds
of largest temples in China.
These are Beijing Jie Tai Temple, Hangzhou
Zhaoqing Temple and Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple.
Jie Tai Temple is also famous for its pine
trees. These are 
Flexible Pine Tree, Complacent Pine Tree, Sleeping Dragon Pine
Tree, Nine Dragon Pine Tree and Embracing Pagoda Pine Tree, called
in all Jie Tai Five Pine Trees.
Inside the Temple there exhibit precious historical relics like
huge copper incense burner, copper happiness tripod and copper
bell etc. made in the Ming Dynasty.
|
|
