The Two-Saint Hall
Name in Chinese: 皇泽寺 Huáng Zé Sì [huæŋ dzə: si]
Duration of Tour: Two Hours
Location: No.93, Huangze Road, Guangyuan, Sichuan Province
Highlights: Exploration of China’s History, Buddhist Culture
Must-see Sightseeing Spots: the Two-saint Hall, Zetian Hall and the Grand Buddha Tower
Reputations: A National Key Historical and Cultural Relic Site under Protection, a National Four-star Scenic Area
Huangze Monastery is situated by the Jialing River. It was built in memory of Empress Wu Zetian. Huangze means that Her Majesty’s kindness is boundless, and Her Majesty’s motherland is protected by her glory. Guangyuan was the hometown of Wu Zetian(624-705), the only empress in Chinese history. She spent her childhood in Guangyuan, and was summoned to the capital by Emperor Taizong. She became one of the emperor’s concubines, when she was only 14. Wu Zetian met Crown Prince Li Zhi, the son of Emperor Taizong. They fell in love with each other. In the year of 649, Emperor Taizong passed away. Prince Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, and became Emperor Gaozong. But, his lover was forced to live in a nunnery. Two years later, she was taken back to the successor. In the year of 655, Wu Zetian became the wife of Emperor Gaozong. She was an outstanding politician. She gradually took the power of the empire. Her husband expired in the year of 683. Wu Zetian was crowned in 690 and passed away in 705.
Huangze Monastery can be dated back to the Tang Dynasty(618-907). The shrine was originally named Wunu Temple and built in memory of Li Bing, the initiator of Dujiangyan Irrigation Project. It was changed into a shrine for Empress Wu Zetian during the Kaiyuan Period(713-741). The compound consists of nine buildings. It contains a large number of priceless stone tablets, murals and statues. Some can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty.
The Two-saint Hall
The Two-saint Hall stands behind the entrance. The two saints refer to Empress Wu Zetian and her husband. In the year of 661, Emperor Gaozong fell ill. Wu Zetian managed the state affairs and took the opportunity to build up her own political power. The couple were called the Two Saints by all the subjects of the Tang Empire. The images of the couple are worshiped together in the Two-saint Hall. The other figures are the top nine officials in the cabinet, namely, Li Ji, Li Yifu, Wei Yuanzhong, Li Zhaode, Di Renjie, Lou Shide, Zhang Jianzhi, Lai Junchen, and Shang-guan Wan’er.
Zetian Hall
According to the Buddhist architectural practice, the monasteries each contain a Mahavira Hall(or the Great Buddha Hall). The Mahavira Hall is the main building of the monastery compound. It usually houses the image of Sakyamuni Buddha. Huangze Monastery is absolutely unique. Huangze Monastery does not have the Mahavira Hall. Zetian Hall is dedicated to Empress Wu Zetian. It serves as the Mahavira Hall. There is a stone statue of the empress in the middle of the hall. The statue is 1.8 meters(6 feet) in height. It was carved 1,300 years ago.
The Grand Buddha Tower
The Grand Buddha Tower was built during the reign of Emperor Daoguang(1821-1850), the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). A grotto is shielded by the building. The grotto is 7 meters(23 feet) in height and 6 meters(20 feet) in width. The Image of Amitabha is carved in the grotto. He is flanked by Ananda and Kasyapa. There is a kneeling figure in front of the Buddha. It is absolutely unique in China. The figure is supposed to be the son of Empress Wu Zetian.
Travel Tips:
How to Get to Huangze Monastery
Huangze Monastery is located in downtown Guangyuan. Guangyuan lies about 300 km(186 miles) to the northeast of Chengdu. Visitors can ride a car or take a bullet train to Guangyuan Railway Station. It takes around 4 hours to get to Guangyuan from Chengdu by car. The distance between Huangze Monastery and the Thousand-Buddha Cliff is about 5 km(3 miles). The latter is also quite famous in China. The grottoes can be dated back to 530s. It is one of the top three attractions in Guangyuan Prefecture.
Opening Hours:
9:00 A.M. --- 5:30 P.M.
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Author: Tina Luo
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