Zhihua Temple (the largest existing Ming Dynasty wooden structure group in Beijing)

Speaking of Zhihua Temple, we have to mention Wang Zhen, the first generation of autocratic eunuch in the Ming Dynasty, Wang Zhen is one of the four eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty, his life was full of twists and turns and controversy. Wang Zhen was originally an ordinary person, with a family and wife and children, he once participated in the imperial examination but failed. So he took another path, he served as a local education official for a long time, and a small official with no significant achievements could enter the palace to serve. After entering the palace, Wang Zhen quickly stood out, he was loved by Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, and was appointed as the Lang of the East Palace, serving Prince Zhu Qizhen, who later became Emperor Yingzong. After Xuanzong's death, Yingzong ascended the throne, and promoted Wang Zhen to the position of Chief Eunuch of the Ministry of Rites. Wang Zhen had no talent for governing the country, but he was good at intrigue, and harmed countless people during his autocratic period. In 1449, under his instigation, Yingzong personally led an expedition to Mongolia, which led to his capture in the Tumu Crisis, and Wang Zhen also died in the chaos. Zhihua Temple was a private family temple built by Wang Zhen, built in the ninth year of Ming Zhengtong (1444 AD) Although it was a family temple, it was given a name by Emperor Yingzong. "Baoen Zhihua Zen Temple" After Yingzong successfully restored his throne and ascended the throne for the second time, he still remembered Wang Zhen, and built a shrine for him in Zhihua Temple, erected a stele and wrote a biography for him, and also specially granted a copy of the Great Buddhist Sutra and two scripture cabinets. At its peak, Zhihua Temple covered an area of 20,000 square meters, with five courtyards in front and back, divided into east, middle and west routes, it was a prominent large temple in the eastern part of the imperial city. Today's Zhihua Temple, the main buildings on the central axis are basically intact, with four courtyards, it is the largest Ming Dynasty wooden structure group in Beijing, and it is also a pure land of Zen forest that gathers Buddhist arts such as statues, Buddhist scriptures, murals, and music. Zhihua Temple Beijing Music, this is also rare in temples, it originated from the court music of the Tang and Song Dynasties, in 1446, it was introduced into Zhihua Temple from the Ming Dynasty court, and has been passed down from generation to generation according to the method of oral instruction, and has a history of nearly 600 years, and has been passed down for 27 generations without interruption. Zhihua Temple Beijing Music, is the only music in our existing ancient music that has been passed down by generations, it is the best preserved music to date, and is known as the "living fossil of Chinese music". The main feature is that wind instruments are the main instruments, supplemented by cloud gongs, drums, chimes and other percussion instruments, the melody is simple and elegant, deep and melodious, and the traditional Chinese notation method of Gongche notation is used to write music. In 2006, Zhihua Temple Beijing Music, was listed in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list. Address: No. 5, Lumi Warehouse Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing Opening hours: 9:00—17:00 (closed on Monday) Beijing Music Performance Location: Zhihua Hall 10:00—10:20 15:00—15:20