Linggu Temple - Linggu Pagoda - Sun Yatsen Mausoleum - Zhongshan Mountain Park: Nanjing: Chinese Political History, Culture, Customs.The Beamless Hall is the only survivor from the Ming Dynasty in Linggu Temple area. It was once called "Hall of Boundless Life" because it was built to worship the AMitabha Buddha, whose neame means "Boundless life". The brick-vault structure was built without a single piece of wood or beam, hence resulting in its current name. The KMT government had a cemetery built here for the KIAs in 1931, it was changed into a hall for public sacrifice.
Linggu Temple and Pagoda - Zhongshan Mountain National Park Nanjing.
This article is just one of a series of photographic articles currently being presented at King's Calendar relating to two trips I undertook; to Nanjing on April 3rd and to Ningbo April 12th 2008. Links to all articles may be found at the end of this article.
Introduction
Linggu Temple Zhongshan Park Nanjing.
I currently teach English in Suzhou City Jiangsu Province, the Capital of Which is Nanjing. Friday 4th April 2008 was the Chinese 'Qing Ming' Festival, which is now a public holiday. Having only one class to attend on Thursday 3rd, I headed off to Nanjing to meet up with my former student and current friend Zhang Mingxing. On April 4th we spent the day at Zhongshan Mountain National Park. In addition to this article about my adventures in Zhongshan Mountain National Park, there are two others:
This particular short article concerns Linggu Temple, just one of many interesting places within the Park. Zhongshan is of course the resting place of Sun Yat-sen.
After Mingxing and I had finished at Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum we took the brightly coloured tourist 'train' (bus) to the Linggu Temple area and did some exploring. If it was not bad enough that we had already endured the 392 steps ascending to 70 meters through 10 terraces to get to Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum, When we got to the Linggu Cemetery area, we had to climb more steps.
Text in italics is a faithful reproduction of what I photographed from signs at the park.
Steps to the Cemetery at Linggu
The cemetery was established on the site of Linggu Temple in 1935. Those buried in this cemetery are mainly officers and soldiers killed in the Northern Expedition or the Anti-Japanese Battle in Shanghai. The main buildings include the front gate (Hongshan Gate), the memorial archway, the sacrificial hall (Beamless Hall), the memorial hall (Pine-wind Pavilion) and the cenotaph (linggu Pagoda).
The archway is marked by reinforced concrete on a lofty platform above 42 stone steps. The 10-meter-high and five-arch building is roofed with green glazed tiles, full of power and grandeur. On the tablets of the archway there are eight characters meaning Benevolence and righteousness and Salvaging the nation and the people, which were written by Zhang Jingjiang, one of the senior members of Kuomintang. In front of the archway there is a pair of stone Pixiu (a kind of fabulous wild beast recorded in ancient books), each standing on one side. They were donated by the Seventeenth Army when the archway was built.
Hall of Public Sacrifice
The Beamless Hall is the only survivor from the Ming Dynasty in Linggu Temple area. It was once called "Hall of Boundless Life" because it was built to worship the AMitabha Buddha, whose neame means "Boundless life". The brick-vault structure was built without a single piece of wood or beam, hence resulting in its current name. The KMT government had a cemetery built here for the KIAs in 1931, it was changed into a hall for public sacrifice.
The Beamless Hall
The Beamless Hall contains one hundred and ten blue stone steles, in which carved is the name list of soldiers of national revolutionary army who were killed in the war. Each stele is numbered and is arranged chronologically. In the first to sixty first stele carved are the names of national soldiers who died in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui privinces during the Nrothern Expedition (1926 to 1930). In the sixty second to sixty seventh stele carved are the names of soldiers from No. 19 Troop killed in Songhu anti-Japanese War (January to April 1932). In the sixty eighth to a hundred and tenth stele carved are the names of soldiers killed in North China anti-Japanese war (September 1931 to May 1933). The death toll amounts to 33,224.
It's the What that we know - not the Why?
The Stone Tortoise is 5.3 meters long, 2.5 meters wide and 2 meters high. It looks majestic as it lifts its head and stretches its neck. Under the tortoise is a stone Xumizuo which is 5.9 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width and 0.37 meters in height. The reason for the construction of this stone tortoise is still unknown to us yet. As studied by experts, it probably has something to do with Linggu Temple of the Ming Dynasty.
An example of Displays behind glass.
Burning Yuanming Palace
In October 1860, the allied forces between Britain and France occupied Beijing. They looted over the city and burnt off the imperial garden Yuanming Palace.
Treaty of Nanjing
On August 29 1842, the Qing's government signed the humiliating Treaty of Nanjing with the British government. From then on, China gradually was downgraded to be a semi-colony and -feudal society.
Humen Anti-drug Campaign
In June 1839, Lin Tse-hus, a national hero, launched his anti-drug campaign. He forced foreign dealers to hand in over one million kilos opium, which was toally destroyed in Humen beach. Uprightness asserted itself through this action.
Discipline Hall of Linggu Temple / Memorial Hall of Revolution
This place used to be the Discipline Hall of Linggu Temple in the Ming Dynasty. When the Kuomintang built the Cemetery of the KIAs of the National Revolutionary Army in 1931, a "Memorial Hall of Revolution" was put up here. Designed by Murphy, a famous AMerican architect, the building was completed in 1933 when objects left behind by the dead officers and soldiers were on display. After the founding of the PRC, it was renamed as Pine-wind Pavilion and changed into a small shop dealing in souvenirs. A stone tripod at the back of it was a gift from Liu Zhenhua, President of ANhui Province in the 1930's.
Linggu Pogoda.
Built in 1931-1933, Linggu Pagoda used to be the memorial tower in honor of the KIAs of the National Revolutionary Army. The nine-storeyed pagoda is 60 meters in height with 8 facets on each storey. The inscription of jingzhong baoguo (meaning "Serving the nation with utmost loyalty") on the exterior walls of the pagoda was written by Chiang Kai-shek and on the interior walls of the pagoda was inscribed with Sun Yat-sen's speeches entitled "A Speech on the opening ceremony of Huangpu Military School" and "A Farewell speech made before the northward expedition", which were written respectively by Wu Jingheng and Yu Youren, two senior members of Kuomintang.
249 Steps to climb that tower - I counted them.
Remember now that we had already done a return trip on the 392 steps (plus terraces) at Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum, and had to climb about 100 steps to the archway at this Memorial to the Revolution; it was now the time to climb the interior stairwell of the Linggu Pogoda. There were no signs, but I counted the steps. There were 249 of them winding tightly ever upward, with not enough space for two people to comfortably pass each other. Those 249 steps of course had also to be descended. I was literally dizzy. Both on the way up and the way down, I kept my eyes focused on my feet and numbered out the steps aloud. Everyone thought I was crazy, including the French couple at the top who assumed that since my guide and I were speaking English that I would not also be able to speak French. (!@#$%^&*)
Designed by Lu Yanzhi, a famous architect, the construction of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum began in March 1926 and ended in the spring of 1929. It is 700 meters from the Memorial Archway to the coffin chamber with 10 terraces and 392 steps between them, and the falling head reaches 70 meters. The main buildings of the mausoleum include the memorial archway, the mausoleum gate, the tablet pavilion, the sacrificial hall and the coffin chamber. On June 1, 1929, a grand burial ceremony was held at the mausoleum which is shaped like an alarm bell, symbolizing Dr. Sun Yat-sen's unyileding spirit in fighting to arouse people and salvage the nation. - In the center of this map with the blue roof is Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum. To the right is the Linggu Pagoda and to the left of the Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum is the Ming Tomb area. As you can see there are many other places to see. There is also Purple Mountain at the very top of the picture, access to which can be gained by a cable way
The Beamless Hall is the only survivor from the Ming Dynasty in Linggu Temple area. It was once called "Hall of Boundless Life" because it was built to worship the AMitabha Buddha, whose neame means "Boundless life". The brick-vault structure was built without a single piece of wood or beam, hence resulting in its current name. The KMT government had a cemetery built here for the KIAs in 1931, it was changed into a hall for public sacrifice.
Ancestral Halls were places where clansmen offered sacrifices to their ancestors and also great men of both ancient and more recent times. The building of memorial temples and ancestral halls was very popular during the Qing Dynasty. Various types of such temples and ancestral halls, such as the 'Zhaozhong' (loyal official), 'Xianliang' (wise man or sage) and Gongchen (meritorious personage) were built, during this period, in many parts of China including Beijing
During the Nationalist Government periods, Chiang Kai-shek, Lin Sen, Li Zongren and other leaders took a short rest in this building before ceremonies began. The Communists-Nationalists Negotiations were held here in 1946. In this building Li Zongren, the Acting President, received the Shanghai Peace Delegates who had returned from BeiPing on 27 February 1949.
Whilst it was obviously once a huge place, (judging by the 'model' on display), it wasn't quite as big as you might imagine a 20 thousand room place to be. The examination rooms were just meter wide boxes which contained a bed/desk to which the examinees were confined for the several days necessary to complete their exams. These rooms are set up as displays and each has a mannequin in it that depicts something of the trials and tribulations of the examinees, and includes one in which a 'snake' was attacking one person, and another in which the examinee is being burned by fire. So much for the good old days
Qinhuai River, known as Huaishui River or Longcangpu in ancient times, rises from two places: Baohuashan Mountain in Jurong County and Donglushan Mountain in Lishui County. The two streams meet at the foot of Fangshan Mountain, Jiangning County, then winds its way of 110 km to Yangzi River. The river that flows through Nanjing measures 10 li (5 kn) and this part is called Inner Qinhuai River. The River has a long history. As early as in Neolithic Age, it nurtured the early settlers along the banks. Now the Inner Qinhuai has become the center of culture and economy of Nanjing
The Taiping Army occupied Yong'an (now Mengshan County) in September and conferred the titles of the Eastern King. Westarn King. Soutnarn King. Northarn King, and Wing King upon Yang Xiuquan. Xiao Chaogui, Feng Yunshan, Wei Changhui and Shi Dakai, respectively. According to records of historical documents, the concubines of the Heavenly King were addressed Niangniang (Your Ladyship). Therefore their rooms were Called 'niangniang Palace". The room where the Heavenly King's second wife (Empress Lai) was called "You zheng Yue Palace".
Wengzhong Path, 250 meters long, constitutes the second section of the Sacred Way. This section is flanked by a pair of balusters, two pairs of generals and two pairs of civil officials. The balusters, with a cylinder crown at the top as well as cloud and dragon designs over the column, have changed the convention of topping the balusters along the sacred way with lotus-flower design since the Tang and Song Dynasties. It is of innovative significance in art. The statues of the generals and officials stand there with great dignity, guarding the tomb with their loyalty
Civil and Military Gate is the first gate to the graveyard of the Ming Tomb. In 1998, the Administration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum had its original appearance restored according to the burial system of the Ming Tomb of the Ming Dynasty. At the foot of the gate there is a "Special Notice" tablet inscribed in Japanese, German, Italian, English, French and Russian. It was jointly erected for the preservation of the Ming Tomb in the first year under the Xuantong Reign of the Qing Dynasty (AD 1909) by the taotai (head) of Liangjiang Westernization Buteau and the magistrate of Jiangning Prefecture.
Realising that this was a 'security' situation, I decided that it was probably unwise to stand around with my hands in my pockets, and deliberately removed them, keeping my hands in plain sight at all times. While quite conscious of the fact that the uniform police in every direction were discreetly keeping an eye on me, it nevertheless was a surprise when the Chinese Secret Serviceman confronted me, although from the man's first step in a 15 metre walk, I knew instinctively who he would be. He pulled out his credentials, and speaking in reasonably good English, informed me that he was a Policeman; advised me that he had been watching me for 20 minutes; and wanted to know what I was doing there
Summer Camp consisted of two different 12 day sessions, teaching each class once every two days. On the day of the 4th class during the first camp, I was advised that the parents had complained about my teaching. 'They think that what you teach is useless (like having the students stand and actually speak English), and that you should teach 'new words' (that they will never use if they don't actually speak), and that you should teach them about Australia".
The day I was due to Leave, Zhan Yan turned up at my house saying that his summer camp had been cancelled and none of his family were in town. So guess who came with me? There is no commentary apart from the fact that it costs 50 RMB for the entrance ticket
Really, we only went there to eat pizza at Carole's Restaurant, but noting a few changes in the area, decided to take a few new shots. From the vantage point on the upstairs balcony of the restaurant, I started off the process by taking photos of people in the street who kept pointing out the foreigner
In the temple, there are many places of cultural and historical interest. Tianwang (Heavenly Kings) Hall, Guanyin Hall, Wuyou Hall and the Arhat Hall are solemn in ancient style, Kuangyi Pavilion is charm and elegant. On Erya Terrace you can overlook the river, while in Tingtao Pavilion, you can enjoy the music of the current. If you want to see how the three rivers meet go to Jingyun Pavilion; to enjoy flowers, butterflies and singing birds, go to the Plum Garden. What is mostly worth mentioning is that it is the temple and the hill on which it stands that form the hesd of the Giant Sleeping Buddha.
Dopo 45 minuti di strade tutte uguali, siamo finiti nel bel mezzo della 'zona commerciale', dove il traffico si è fatto insostenibile e venivamo sorpassati da arzille nonnine con ceste piene di spesa. A piedi, ovviamente. Qui ho cambiato autobus, sempre seguendo le indicazioni del foglietto. Lungo la strada, sono stata messa in allarme da dei cartelli: Longmen caves: 11km. Longmen Caves: 13km. Longmen Caves: 15km. Avvicinandosi alla meta, i chilometri dovrebbero diminuire, non aumentare ¡ quando mi sono resa conto che stavo viaggiando nella direzione sbagliata avevo gia trascorso più di un'ora e mezza in autobus e mi trovavo ad oltre 15 chilometri dalle grotte. Ho fermato un taxi.
My 11.45 am flight left at 1pm. Knowing that this would happen, I had bought my international ticket from Beijing, and chanced travelling to Beijing the day before. That also meant that I would need accommodation on the 14th. After checking the Internet, I came across the Beijing Aulympic - Olympic - Hotel, located very close to the airport. The fees were very very very low and that suited me fine. I did not expect however, that the hotel would be as nice as it was
With the official greetings over, we were presented with a variety of performances from local artists and international guests, including an American man and his family. This family presented a narrative from a Gospel about the birth of Jesus, and then went on to present some musical renditions of Christmas Carols. Another foreigner, who performed a Chinese fan dance, was Helen, a Ukrainian with an American Accent. She is also an English teacher in Dong He District Baotou. We chatted for a little while at the end of the night. The other performances included an Arabian - Chinese dance performed by a group of girls balancing rice bowls while they gyrated around the place. They were all young and beautiful and adept in their craft
My 'less than trusting' Chinese friends (currently scattered far and wide throughout China), are not so excited. They tell me that not only are private schools well known for their abuse of and cheating both foreign and National teachers, but one should not trust a Chinese boss to keep his word. While in fact no one has actually informed me that I will be paid overtime, the provision is in my contract and I don't see how it can be 'forgotten'. I doubt that the franchisee could ever have become such an illustrious business woman (She has businesses in China and in Canada) had she not been an ethical manager
Queensland, the Sunshine State of Australia, Home of the Banana Benders, the Kingaroy Peanut (Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson) and many many famous people including Sean Connery's former wife Dianne Cilento. Brisbane City Hall faces King George Square, and on the other side of the road is the Wesley Methodist church, and behind that a tall building that 30 years ago was the State Government Insurance Office (where I once worked). These two shots are significant, because in one of the Mission Impossible Movies, you see this church in the background of one scene, minus the tall building. Really scary scene. I thought the building must have been demolished. Nope! Still there!
Spanish Lighthouse at Corregidor Island had a signpost letting us know how far from home we were - The Centerpiece at the War Memorial for American Soldiers in Manilla - Corregidor Island Battery looking toward Batan - Military tanks at the Philippine Military Academy
Definition: King's Calendar Chronological Research
The Premise: Between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE (but continuing down to at least 104 BCE), Sectarian redactors transcribed the legitimate 'solar year' chronological records of Israel and Judah, into an artificial form, with listed years as each comprised of 12 months of 4 weeks of 7 days, or 336 days per year, thus creating a 13th artificial year where 12 solar years existed.
When the Synchronous Chronological Data provided in the Books of Kings and Chronicles for the Divided Kingdom Period are measured in years of 336 days, the synchronisms actually align. [Refer to Appendix 5. to see how it synchronises the Divided Kingdom Period]
About the KingsCalendar Publisher
R.P.BenDedek is the owner and Editor of KingsCalendar.com which was originally set up to publicize his research results into the Chronology of Ancient Israel. Those results were published under the title: 'The King's Calendar: The Secret of Qumran'.
Whilst there have been many attempts to solve the chronological riddle of the Bible's synchronisms of reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah and their synchronism with other Ancient Near Eastern Nations, no other research is based on a simple mathematical formula which could, if it is incorrect, be disproved easily. To date, no one has been able to dismiss the mathematical results of this research.
Free to air Academic articles set forth Apologetics for and results of his discovery of an "artificial chronological scheme" running through the Bible, Josephus, the Damascus Documents of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Seder Olam Rabbah.
During the current economic downturn, this book has been drastically reduced in price but will eventually rise as the economy improves.
Check the Chapter Precis Page to see details of each chapter and to gain access to the Four Free to Air Chapters
R.P. BenDedek writes social commentaries and photographic 'Stories from China' both at KingsCalendar, and as a contributing columnist at Magic City Morning Star News in Maine USA.
(He has been teaching Conversational English in China since 2003 and currently (2013) is teaching in Suzhou City Jiangsu Province.)
Academic Newsletters
Newsletter No.3 Academic Opinion Versus Fact By R.P. BenDedek
Every time you see or hear an historian or archaeologist quote chronological material from the Bible, they are 'pulling your chain'. They manipulate your trust in the Bible and direct it toward 'themselves'. When we read that some expert says this or that, we are naturally inclined to accept that they know what they are talking about, but in reference to the two cases sited above, the 'fact' of the matter is, that neither religious nor secular academics have ever 'proved' their theories to be correct, and the 'fact' that these points in history are constantly being challenged, examined and argued over, demonstrates clearly enough, that the 'chronological' aspect at the very least, has not yet been satisfied beyond everyone's doubt
Newsletter No.2 Academic Opinion - Facts and Misdirection By R.P. BenDedek
Opinions, Assumptions and Presumptions are not facts in relation to evidence. Whilst the 'King's Calendar' is a 'theory', it is in fact 'a scientific theory' and can therefore be subjected to scientific testing, under which, should it fail, it would be proven beyond doubt to be false. Too often we just accept what 'The Professionals' tell us, without ever forcing them to make a clear distinction between 'proof' and 'opinion'
Newsletter No.1 Religious Compartmentalisation - Psychological Dysfunction By R.P. BenDedek
Many folk wonder why it is that their children have turned from their religious traditions to new or exotic forms of religious observance, and it is not at all unreasonable to suggest that this is because our materialistic, logical, and science driven society, has robbed us of the inner emotional stability which comes through 'trusting in a higher power'. What facinates me, is that many 'fundamentalists', while publicly preaching the Bible to be the Word of God, will, when confronted by the anomolous situation between the chronological facts of history and the chronological record of the Bible, maintain that biblical chronology is not important, saying "we don't feel that the historical information is important"
