Zhenjue Monastery 真覺寺
https://architecturasinica.org/place/000299Names
- Zhenjue Monastery (English)
- 真覺寺 (Traditional Chinese)
- 真觉寺 (Simplified Chinese)
- Zhēnjué sì (Pinyin)
- chen-chüeh ssu (Wade-Giles)
- Zhenjue Si (English)
- 大正覺寺 (Traditional Chinese)
- 大正觉寺 (Simplified Chinese)
- 北京市石刻藝術博物館 (Traditional Chinese)
- 北京市石刻艺术博物馆 (Simplified Chinese)
- Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum (English)
- 五塔寺 (Traditional Chinese)
- 五塔寺 (Simplified Chinese)
Location
- Lat. 39.942149° Long. 116.324496°
Building Information
Zhenjue Monastery 真覺寺 occupies a site in the modern Haidian District海淀区 of Beijing and is located on the northwestern bank of the Nazheng river 南长河. During the Ming and Qing dynasties it was considered to be in the Western Urban District of the city西部郊区 rather than the internal or external palace districts. It was constructed during the Yuan dynasty but the surviving Jingangbaozuo Pagoda 金刚宝座塔, was not built until the Ming. Since its founding in the Yuan, the site has been known by several names. Originally, it was named Zhenjue Monastery 真覺寺 and continued to be known as such throughout the Ming and the early Qing. During the sixteenth year of the Qing Qianlong Reign period, about 1751, the site was renamed as Dazhengjue Monastery 大正覺寺. The site is also referenced as Wuta Monastery五塔. More recently has also been named the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum 北京市石刻藝術博物館 and contains collections of various historic stelae. 2
Zhenjue Monastery site has experienced multiple instances of destruction. In the Ming it was repaired by the Yongle Emperor (1402-1424) suggesting existing damages. After the Ming the complex was damaged to the extent that parts were renovated or rebuilt during the Qing in 1751. The renovated site was damaged again damaged during Qing period when a great fire broke out and at the beginning of Republican Period 民国 the inner Buddhist halls were destroyed内殿宇. After the final sequence of destruction, only the central Jingangbaozuo Pagoda remained intact, however the foundation of the former Xinzhu Langyin Hall 心珠朗瑩殿 remains. 3
The current orientation of the site is north-south. Visitors are currently intended enter from the south through the main gate 大門 followed by courtyard gate院門. Directly through the courtyard gate is the foundation of the former Xinzhu Langyin Hall . Directly behind the remaining foundation of the destroyed Xinzhu Langyin Hall is the intact Jingangbaozuo Pagoda, the only extant complete building remaining in the monastery. In its current construction, the monastery is surrounded by a wall. The remains of the Xinzhu Langyin Hall and the Jingangbaozuo Pagoda are the center buildings of the complex. Both can be circumambulated and the Jingangbaozuo Pagoda is enterable openings on its north and south sides.
Works Cited
Any information without attribution has been created following the Syriaca.org editorial guidelines.
- 1 3738, 3741-3742., 3738, 3741-3742.
- 2 Vol. 1, 256., Vol. 1, 256.; vol. 4, 3b., vol. 4, 3b.; 103., 103.; 3738, 3741-3742., 3738, 3741-3742.
- 3 224., 224.; vol. 4, 3b., vol. 4, 3b.; 3738, 3741-3742., 3738, 3741-3742.
Contains artifact(s) (3)
Architectural Features
How to Cite This Entry
Bibliography:
Joseph Hanauer, “Zhenjue Monastery 真覺寺 .” In Architectura Sinica, edited by Tracy Miller. Entry published December 1, 2024. https://architecturasinica.org/place/000299.About this Entry
Entry Title: Zhenjue Monastery 真覺寺
Authorial and Editorial Responsibility:
- Tracy Miller, editor, Architectura Sinica
- Joseph Hanauer, entry contributor, “Zhenjue Monastery 真覺寺 ”
Additional Credit:
- Research: Joseph Hanauer
- Editing and proof correction: Tracy Miller
Copyright and License for Reuse
Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.