We are back from Qufu and Tai Shan, and we'll have blogs about the trip soon. But first, let's finish up our journey to Beijing. On Day 4 we decided to tackle the Beijing subway. It was much easier than we had expected. There are only five lines in Beijing, the last line opened right after we left. Of the four lines we were dealing with, one goes horizontal across town, one goes vertical across town, one goes vertical out of town, and one makes a loop, intersecting with the others. Thanks to our location, our destinations were really simple to reach. Beijing's subway is really old. Have you ever been in a subway where they have one person tearing tickets before you can go down to the train platform? That's how antiquated this subway system is; supposedly that is all changing before the Olympics, otherwise they'll need to hire some more ticket-takers.
So we hopped on the subway at Chongwen Station and got off at Yonghegong. Yong he Gong translates to The Lama Temple. For those of you who still don't know what I'm t
alking about, the Lama Temple is a well preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing. Here's a helpful poem about lamas:
The one L Lama, is a priest
The two L Llama, is a beast
And I would bet my silk pajamas
That there's no such thing as a three L Lllama.
In other words, we weren't at a petting zoo. The lamasery (monastery for lamas) has been in Beijing since 1744. Before that, the buildings were the home of Emperor Yong Zheng. Because it was once the home of an emperor, the lamas enjoy some nice digs. The Lama Temple is kept immaculate (one of the few places that way in Beijing), and it seems that the Temple has plenty of cash flow. For example, every ticket (25 kuai/3 dollars) comes with a mini-VCD that you can pop into your computer and learn more about the temple. This is definitely not anything I've encountered at other temples.
Without going into too much detail (aka I might disappear), Tibetan and Chinese relations aren't great. Usually China gets most of the blame and Tibet gets the sympathy (a natural tendency to route for the underdog) from Westerners. However, both sides have a role in their current situation and icy relations. Nevertheless, the temple is a great and encouraging symbol of possibility in the capital city of the People's Republic.
This blog is already getting a little long, so I'll save Chinese temple descriptions for a future blog, and just give you what you really want, pictures!
Above, I'm rubbing a prayer wheel. Each wheel has inscriptions of some type (sutras, prayer, mantra). You spin the wheel, rub your hand along it, and the prayer is released. One might say the prayer or mantra aloud or silently in hopes of gaining compassion. Right is an icon, different icons, depending on the temple, are spread out throughout the complex. This is Skanda, he is protector of all the Buddhist relics. He's here to keep Maitreya safe. The Chinese don't discriminate with their praise, everyone receives love - as long as the deities, buddhas, spirits, etc. provide them with what they want.
Above, breathing can be difficult in a Chinese temple. Huge sticks of incense are offered in large fire pits. Top right is fat and happy Maitreya, the next Buddha. Below Maitreya, is another Tibetan deity, often called a wrathful deity. These guys and gals defend Buddhism and Buddhists from passion and evil influences outside and within. This is Mahakala, he won't hurt you. The greatest sight in the lamasery is a 56-foot statue of Maitreya made out of one piece of wood. Unfortunately, pictures aren't allowed, though I'm sure you can see it on Google.
After the temple, we crossed town and eventually made our way to the Beijing Zoo - along with every other tourist that happened to be in Beijing at the time. This place was packed. We headed to the Panda house, which was even more packed, got a look at a Panda, felt bad for the Pandas because the Chinese are always banging on the glass and being loud, and got out. If you're in Beijing during the offpeak season, the zoo would probably be cool, just not during national week. That night we took Jimbo to see his first, authentic Chinese acrobat show. While it didn't live up to the one we saw in Shanghai, it was still a good time.
The next day we got up and decided to visit the Beijing Underground City. Once
again, pictures weren't allowed. The Underground City was created during the Cold War and is a series of weaving tunnels under Beijing. We got to walk through these cold, damp tunnels and it was pretty cool. Supposedly, one could walk all the way to TianJin (which is a good ways away, probably at least 70 miles) through the tunnels. If things had gone nuclear, the (select) Chinese could stay in the Underground City with the comforts of restaurants, libraries, and even movie theaters! We proceeded from the Underground City to view the City Wall Park. A well landscaped park which holds the only remaining part of the ancient Beijing City Wall. Pretty cool stuff.
Oh, then we went home via train (soft-seat!).
Here's a panda picture for being such a good reader:
We'll be Back,
DB&KM
alking about, the Lama Temple is a well preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing. Here's a helpful poem about lamas: 
again, pictures weren't allowed. The Underground City was created during the Cold War and is a series of weaving tunnels under Beijing. We got to walk through these cold, damp tunnels and it was pretty cool. Supposedly, one could walk all the way to TianJin (which is a good ways away, probably at least 70 miles) through the tunnels. If things had gone nuclear, the (select) Chinese could stay in the Underground City with the comforts of restaurants, libraries, and even movie theaters! We proceeded from the Underground City to view the City Wall Park. A well landscaped park which holds the only remaining part of the ancient Beijing City Wall. Pretty cool stuff. 
2 comments:
"Gu Gu was seen snacking on bamboo later in the afternoon, The Beijing News said."
To cleanse his pallet, one supposes?
Maitreya looks like a pretty nice guy.
Woah! I can finally see the blog and this is not at all how it looked in the blog preview. Hmmm...I vow to learn from this mistake and never make it this scattered again!
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