Today I want to introduce a famous Taoist Temple in west Sichuan Province,China —— The “Qingyang Palace”,Have you ever heard of it?
Qingyang Palace is the first Taoist Temple in West Sichuan Province,located in the downtown of Chengdu,the capital city of Sichuan Province.According to the legend,Qingyang Palace began in the Zhou Dynasty(1046 B.C.——256 B.C).Once it was the refuge of two emperors in the Tang Dynasty(618 -907), one is Emperor Xuanzong who was to escape the "Rebellion of An lushan and Shi siming";and one is Emperor Xizong who was to escape the "Rebellion of Huangchao".So Qingyang Palace had flourishing development at that period of Tang Dynasty,at the late Tang Dynasty,Qingyang Palace has been the biggest and the most influential Taoist temple in Sichuan Province.
The Qingyang Palace begins from a mountain gate,the "Qingyang Palace" golden-lettered plaque is the calligraphy of a county magistrate in Huayang,Chengdu named “An hongde”.
The ticket is 10 Yuan for each person,and people who sells the ticket is dressed up in Taoist nun.The peace in mind seems begin from that moment which you receive your ticket from the "nun".Comparing to the noisy and bustle streets out side the temple,it is another peaceful world as long as you pass through the gate.
The first palace you see when you get to Qingyang Palace is the "Hunyuan"palace,it is the second most important palace in the Qingyang Palace.Tthe supreme god of Taoist --named "Taishanglaojun"in Chinese is enshrined in it.
At the rear of the palace,it enshrines another god which is well-known in Buddhism as god "Guanyin",she is the only god who is enshrined both in the Taoist and Buddhism Temple.
The Bagua (gossip)pavillion,which is symbolic construction in Qingyang Palace;
Sanqing Palace——Palace of three immortals,which enshrines three supreme gods of Taoist in it is the most important palace in Qingyang Palace.
There are a bell and a drum in front of the "Sanqing"palace, when it is the first day or 15th day of the Lunar Year each month, or any auspicious ceremony,it will bell and drum.
They are the famous two bronze sheeps,which are the signature of Qingyang palace!It is said that the left sheep has the characteristic of twelve animals in the chinese Zodiac:the sheep's beard、cow's body、chicken's ear,etc.According to your animal sign,touch the sheep's relative part with your left hand,you'll get goodluck.So the must thing a person visit the Qingyang Palace is to touch this magical sheep. Attention is :with your left hand.The Taoist takes "left"as "honor".
Don't put your hands together when worship the god,Taoist has different style from the Buddhism.The guide will teach you how to worship when entering the palace.
So much about the Qingyang Palace,hope you like it.
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