Xilitu Zhao Temple Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
Xilituzhao Lamasery or Xilitu Lamasery is located just to the east of Dazhao Lamasery in Yuquan District of Hohhot. The temple was founded in the Tibetan style in the Ming Dynasty. It houses the residence of the 11th Grand Living Buddha.
According to the historical records in Ming Dynasty, after Altan Khan of Mongolia died, his son inherited Altan Khan’s position. When he came to power, to emulate his father’s practice, he decided to invite the Dalai Lama Sonam Kennedy III, to Inner Mongolia, spreading religious ministries. The Dalai Lama III accepted his invitation. To greet the arrival of the Dalai Lama III, he established this small Lama Temple in 1585. After the Qing Emperor Kangxi, Yongzheng, Xianfeng, the temple became the largest in Hohhot Lamaism temple and held the power in the region of the Yellow Sect by the continuous expansion and renovation.
The first Grand Living Buddha was Xitituge, who was a teacher of Dalai Lama IV. He onced ascended to the Holy Seat of Dalai Lama in Tibet. When he returned from Tibet, he changed his temple’s name into Xilitu Zhao. Xilitu means Holy Seat in Tibetan and Zhao means temple in Mongolian.
Epic China Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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