Storm and Wind Fortune Temple

Author: Liu Lu / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Fuzheng Temple is both the family temple of the Ba family and a hall dedicated to the masters of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism (commonly known as the Yellow Hat sect), including the founder Tsongkhapa, the Buddha Sakyamuni, and the sacred ancestor Genghis Khan. The Han Chinese call it "Baotou Zhao," while the Mongolian people call it "Butesum." Three hundred years ago, Baotou was not yet a city but merely a pastoral village of the Ba family. According to research, the area was then called "Baotou Village." Behind the temple lies a loess hill, and beyond the hill is a flat plain. In front of the temple runs a straight dirt street from east to west, known today as East Gate Avenue and also the commercial street of that time and later. To the north, it connects to Guyang's grasslands; to the south, it leads to the Yellow River toward Datqi; to the east, it goes to Shiguai via the official road; and to the west, it extends a hundred miles into Houtao. A few hundred meters away from the temple flows the "Botuo River" (also known as the Dong River), a stream that gushes out from numerous springs at the base of the Greater Khingan Mountains. The water is sweet and refreshing. Early settlers of the Ba family, Mongolians who settled here, relied on this clear river to graze their horses and sheep, living a peaceful and harmonious nomadic life. The Ba ancestors with foresight chose this location to build the temple, clearly appreciating its feng shui. Whether for pasturing or traveling, whether settling down or farming, it was an excellent choice. This place is enchanting. In summer, it resembles jade and glass; in winter, it is a silver world. Summer brings bright sunshine, lush green grass, crystal-clear water, while winter covers everything in snow, creating a dazzling silver landscape. Regardless of the season, one cannot help but imagine galloping horses and roaming cattle and sheep.
Judging by its architectural style and craftsmanship, the temple is undoubtedly a historical relic of the region. Covering an area of approximately 8,000 square meters (126 meters north-south, 64 meters east-west), the temple has a well-planned layout and strict structure. It is centered around the main building, the Grand Hall of the Buddha, and the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, with four courtyards on its east and west sides. The temple's main gate opens directly onto the street, with ten storefronts on both sides of the gate. The temple faces south and is built along the terrain, with higher ground to the north and lower ground to the south. It stands in contrast to the scenic Zhaolong Cang across the river (the Dong River, or Botuo River in Mongolian), making it a feng shui treasure.
The Grand Hall of the Buddha is a two-story brick-and-wood structure. In the center of the hall, there is a five-meter square wooden floor that connects vertically like a skylight. A wooden staircase in the southeast corner leads to the second floor. The second floor enshrines statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and guardian deities, with weapons, musical instruments, and various ritual implements displayed on both sides. The first floor serves as the scripture hall, with the statue of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect, enshrined at the front. To the right is a small chapel dedicated to the Buddhist god of wealth. Incense burners and oil lamps burn continuously, with fragrant smoke and the scent of juniper filling the air. Four rows of seating are arranged on both sides for lamas to chant scriptures, accommodating dozens of people sitting cross-legged. The walls of the first floor are adorned with paintings, while windows are scarce. Light enters through the windows on the second floor, casting a brilliant glow down into the hall. The air inside is fresh and clean due to the ventilation between the floors, fully reflecting the ingenuity of the ancestors.
The hall's interior structure is unique, with no dividing walls. In the spacious 250-square-meter hall, over 30 straight-standing cypress pillars, painted red, stretch from the bottom to the ceiling (with a diameter of one foot and a height of over two zhang). The pillars are supported by granite bases at the bottom and connected to the beams at the top. When the hall's doors are opened, the view is vast, with every corner clearly visible. Looking up, the intricate patterns on the ceiling are distinct. The walls are adorned with exquisite religious murals, featuring lifelike figures, smooth lines, harmonious and rich colors, fully embodying the characteristics and charm of Tibetan Buddhist murals. The themes of the murals revolve around the life of Tsongkhapa and the story of the founding of the Gelugpa sect. The beams and door frames are carved with colorful religious cultural patterns, including the wheel of dharma and scriptures, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of the artisans, leaving modern viewers in awe.
In front of the main hall stands stone railings and steps, with two towering cypress trees, lush and fragrant, on both sides. Descending the steps leads to the temple's central courtyard, paved with square bricks, with green grass sprouting between the cracks. The courtyard walls are built of blue bricks, and a single incense burner is placed in the center for people to burn incense. To the south of the courtyard is the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, with a passage in the middle and statues of the four heavenly kings towering over the roof on both sides. Their eyes are fierce, brows furrowed, and expressions vivid as they hold different weapons, stepping on various demons and monsters, exuding a mysterious and awe-inspiring aura.
In front of the southern gate of the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, there are pairs of two-meter-high stone lions on both sides, along with a pair of three-meter-high flagpoles, each topped with a windmill bronze sphere, creating a powerful and imposing atmosphere.
P9-12