Tianning Temple Tower is famous because it isThe oldest building on earth in Beijing。It was built in the ninth year of Liao Tianqing (1119) and was built in the tenth year of Liao Tianqing (1120).

Tianning Temple was founded during the Yanxing period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (471-476 AD) and was initially named Guanglin Temple. During the Renshou period of the Sui Dynasty (602 AD), Guanglin Temple was renamed Hongye Temple. Legend has it that before Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty declared himself emperor, an eminent Indian monk gave him a bag of relics. After he ascended the throne, during the Renshou period, he distributed the relics to each of the 30 prefectures of the Central Plains to build a tower for secret storage. Famen Temple and Tianning Temple are both one of them. In the second year of Renshou (602 AD), Buddha relics entered the pagoda. The tower when it was first built was a wooden tower with steps to climb, but the later tower was destroyed. During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty (712 AD), Hongye Temple was renamed Tianwang Temple. In the ninth to tenth years of Tianqing of Emperor Tianzuo of the Liao Dynasty (1119-1120 AD), an octagonal and thirteen-story relic brick pagoda was built in the temple. It took ten months to build the pagoda. Its shape was based on the meaning of the "Hua Yan Jing". The person in charge of building the tower was Yeluchun, the uncle of Emperor Tianzuo. This person proclaimed himself emperor during the Baoda period (AD 1122). His emperor's name was Emperor Tianci. But after his death in just three months, the tower became the only memorial of this short-lived dynasty. The architects of this tower are Kou Shiying and Kou Shixing. In the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 AD), the capital was officially established in Yanjing in Liao Dynasty. Tianwang Temple was located in Xuanhua Gate of the Imperial City of Zhongdu Jin Dynasty. It was the only large temple in the Imperial City. Therefore, during the Jin Shizong and Jin Zhangzong, this temple was built more brilliantly and was renamed Da Wan'an Temple.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the temple was destroyed, leaving only the lonely pagoda, lonely and without a support. In the first year of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1403 AD), Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, ordered the reconstruction of the temple, replacing the brick carvings on the base of the stupa according to the original condition of the Liao Dynasty, and expanding the scale of the temple. Yao Guangxiao, the eminent monk who assisted Zhu Di to the throne, abandoned his title and retired from Shuangta Qingshou Temple, and later moved to Tianning Temple. In the northwest corner of Tianning Temple, there was once a courtyard called Zongshi Mansion, where Yao Guangxiao lived. Tianning Temple was renovated twice in the tenth year of Zhengde of the Ming Dynasty (1515 AD) and the third year of Jiajing (1524 AD). The renovated Tianning Temple is of a large scale. Behind the tower are the Dajue Hall and the Guangshan Commanding Altar, and in the northwest is the Master Mansion.

Tianning Temple was destroyed again at the end of the Ming Dynasty. The tower top collapsed in the early Qing Dynasty. Tianning Temple was rebuilt in the 21st year of Kangxi (1682 AD). Tianning Temple was rebuilt in the 21st year of Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1756 AD). The center of the temple was the Liao Dynasty relic pagoda, and the Liao Dynasty iron tower and temple were changed into a brick treasure roof. In front of the tower are the mountain gate, the Buddha Hall, and the east and west auxiliary halls. Behind the tower are the three great scholars 'halls, the ring altar, and the east and west auxiliary halls. In the forty-seventh year of Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1782 AD), Tianning Temple was renovated again, making Tianning Temple a new regulation and became a masterpiece in the capital.

Photo taken by German photographers 1906-1909

The head of Lux is still there.

In the 26th year of the Republic of China (1937 AD), the inscriptions in the temple recorded the demolition of the Temple of the Three Great Scholars and the relocation of the gate to build, and the restoration of the temple in front of the tower. But the buildings behind the tower were all abandoned. 1991-1992 During the overhaul in 1999, the stele of the tower at that time was demolished at the top of the tower. This stele also confirmed that the tower was built in the Liao Dynasty.

Tianning Temple was built and the gate was built

The tower is protected, not the temple.

Historical books record the burial of the stone letter in Tianning Temple: In the second year of Sui Renshou (602 AD), on March 26, the stone letter began to be ground. Both sides were washed with water. It was as bright as water mirrors. The inside and outside were connected. Purple light rose, and the stone was mottled, and it looked like agate. It was moist and showy like glass. On April 2, fasting begins and walking on the road, and on the third day, when celebrating begins, Buddha incense is offered in front of the relics. The lights and flames in the courtyard, the stars are bright at night, and there is a clear light on the Buddha and the Buddha. On the eighth day, the relics will be entered into the letter.

Are there any Buddhist relics in the underground palace under the tower? This is a big mystery about the Tianning Temple Tower.

In the bell tower, the bell bells warn thousands of miles, and the rhythm of drums reaches all directions.

Drum Tower, drum weaving world, banner shadow weaving altar.

Jialan Hall

During the Spring Festival, the emperor led all officials to Tianning Temple to light lanterns and offer sacrifices to Buddha, praying for good weather and peace for the country and the people. Light 360 lights on the eighth day of each month. The people gathered together to watch the lanterns and pray for good luck. A total of 3,400 wind chimes are hung in the entire tower. When the wind is blowing, the bells ring together, as if the chimes flow long and long. There are ancient poems to prove it:The lights are at 360 points, and it is best to have Tianning Cloud Outer Tower. The wind shook the 3,400 bells, and I wish I could not climb the stairs.

Jieyin Hall is the main hall of Tianning Temple

If you exert joy, you will pass through the treasure raft; if you exert convenience, you will turn the Dharma realm into the golden wheel.

The solemn bell in the golden world speaks, and the sound of the bells flows quietly, and the clouds and treasures appear to each other for mercy.

Welcoming Buddha, the world's largest and tallest (5.8 meters) gold silk nanmu statue

Tianning Temple Tower is an octagonal, 13-story, dense eaves solid brick tower with a height of 57.8 meters. The whole tower is handsome and straight, reflecting the superb level of architectural art of the Liao Dynasty. Mr. Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin once praised the shape and design of this tower, saying that it is extremely musical and rhythmic. It is not only a "masterpiece in ancient Chinese construction and design", but also an important example of studying ancient stupas in our country.

The overall structure of the tower is from bottom to top: base, flat seat, lotus seat, tower body, 13-story tower eaves, top of the tower, pearl, and tower brake.

A thousand hibiscus stands against the sky, and the ruins of the ancient hall lead through one path.。

Looking at the fallen trees in the Sui and Tang Dynasties in autumn, the earth is even windy at night.

Pigeon flies in the cold flower courtyard, and the sun slopes in the suburbs.

Looking back at where several people sang, I still talk about Li Kongtong.

Hall of healing

Mituo Hall

The eternal dream of right and wrong is blurred and short, and Amitabha makes a big boat.

Shelita Temple

Solemn Pure Land

Five Guantang, five views are like gold and change, and the three hearts are still unfinished and the water is difficult to dissipate.

Sankongmen

The statue on the body of the tower is a Yuanjue Dojo arranged according to the "Yuanjue Sutra", and the architecture and decoration of the tower are designed according to the meaning of the "Huayan Sutra" to symbolize the "Huayan World" of the Tathagata. The combination of the two shows that the Liao Dynasty respected the Huayan Sect and integrated the Buddhist characteristics of manifest Buddhism. Above the tower body are thirteen stories of dense eaves. The eaves of the tower are closely stacked and there are no doors and windows, so the height of the tower layer can hardly be seen. The eaves of each tower are transferred layer by layer from bottom to top, and the transfer rate increases layer by layer. The outer outline of the tower presents a plump and soft collection, making the tower body particularly magnificent, solemn and straight.
Under each rafter of the tower eaves, a copper bell was originally hung, and a large bell was hung at the corner of the tower eaves, with a total of 3,400 bells. Whenever the breeze gradually rises, the copper bell rings in the wind, and the sound is endless. It seems to sound in unison, melodious and pleasant, and the sound has a long history. In the center of the top of the tower, Tasha is placed. The first floor of the temple is the Sumizuo, and the top are two layers of octagonal lotus petals to support the treasure vase. Standing under the tower and looking up, the brick carvings of figures, flowers, lion heads and other patterns on the tower body surround the tower body in circles and layers. They are exquisite and beautiful, making people breath-taking.

On the edge of the arch ticket, each is carved with a dragon with its heads facing each other, and a flame pearl in the middle. On top of the arch, a treasure cover is embossed. On both sides of the treasure cover, there is a goddess embossed holding a tribute in her hand and stepping on auspicious clouds.
After the erosion of the times, most of these embossed have been seriously damaged, but they are still a classic work in the art of Chinese stupa sculpture.

The statue of Vajra at the main entrance (south gate) is relatively complete. It is full of strength. The muscles on the arms, legs, chest and abdomen are strong and strong. It is comparable to the two stone statues of Vajra in Fengxian Temple in Longmen Grottoes.

On the south gate is Tathagata, who holds the Wisdom Fist Seal in the Vajra Realm. On his left is Manjusri Bodhisattva and on his right is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, which together form a group of "Three Sages of Hua Yan".

In the southwest lattice window, there is a Guanyin Bodhisattva sitting on the golden hair lion Hou. In front of him, a boy who is good at wealth, and behind him is the image of a Hu wearing a crown hat, a long beard, a robe, and a pair of shoes.
The head of the Buddha statue on the right side of the window lattice is relatively complete, with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, and a calm look. He stands with his hands closed and his sleeves hung down.

Simon,

Inside the arch is Amitabha. On his left side is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and on his right side is Daqi Bodhisattva, which together form a group of "Three Western Sages".

Northwest window lattice

The north gate is the most weathered. In the upper part of the arch, there is an eight-armed Quasi-Gu Guanyin Bodhisattva, holding a kind of magical instrument in each hand. On her left and right are the two dragon kings, Nantuo and Banantuo, as threats.

The window lattice in the northeast, like the northwest, is decorated with five figures. They are Yuanjue Bodhisattva. These ten Bodhisattva put their hands together, stepped on the auspicious clouds, and looked forward piously.

The east gate. On the east gate is the Medicine Master Buddha. On his left is the Sunlight Bodhisattva and on his right is the Moonlight Bodhisattva.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva in the Southeast rides a white elephant, with strong men in front and behind.

The octagonal Sumizuo is shaped, with a lion's head carved on the pot door at the waist of the Sumizuo, and the statue of a Vajra is embossed on the pillar at the corner of the intertwined branches and lotus patterns. A waist is added to the Sumi seat, and a sitting Buddha statue is carved inside the pot door. The upper part of the base is a flat seat, and the hook bars and bucket arches are all imitation wood structures. Three layers of lotus seats are installed on the top to support the tower body.

Each side of the lower base is separated by short columns into 6 kettle-shaped niches, with lion heads carved inside, lotus flowers carved between the niches, and a statue of a Vajra Mus carved at the corners.

The poem "Float Picture of Tianning Temple":
Thousands of years old, the Sui Emperor Tower overlooks the old capital.

The phase wheel appears in the cloud outside, and the pearl net is bright in the sun.

Pure land is still morning and evening, but Cangtian has changed.

Why should we find a Dharma companion? There is no way to learn under the forest.

Lanruo Courtyard behind the tower.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, a mysterious imagination of the Tianning Temple Pagoda,"Shadow of the Fangong Tower", was included in one of the "Eight Scenes of Wanping" in the capital at that time.

It is said that at noon every day, even if the middle door of the Grand Scholar Hall of Tianning Temple is closed, the sun can still shine in through the crack of the door. At this time, the entire shadow of the Tower of Tianning Temple is reflected in it. The ancients said: This is not the shadow of the tower, but the pearl light of the relics gathered together to absorb the shadow of the tower. It is the Buddha light.

Zhu Yizun wrote a poem praising him: "The Imperial Tower opens outside the sill, with 3,600 bells. The wind blows indomitable, and I sleep on the letter all night long.

The cold insects speak, and the window swings a tree. The old man is sleeping steadily, chanting the headlight of Buddha."