The Lama temple at Li Jiang was not the only religious building our tour members saw. We were also brought to see the only Catholic church in the whole of Yunnan. It was located in Dali (大理.), the ancient capital of both the Bai people at the foot of the Green Mountain ( 蒼山), the ancient capital of Nanzhao (南詔國) between 8th and 9th centuries and Dali (大理國) between 937 and 1253 and had been the economic and political centre of the region for about 5 centuries. It was one of the first batch of 24 ancient cities which the PRC government decided to preserve in 1982. It now forms part of the "Bai people Autonomous Region". From 750 to 754, when it was part of the Nanzhao nation, the Tang dynasty tried but failed three times to conquer it because it was a mountainous country but where the Tang Dynasty failed, the Mongols succeeded in 1253 by a surprise attack by crossing the Erhai (洱海), their soldiers killing off their war horses and making "floats" from their skin.
This church was built by some French missionaries in 1927, destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and was renovated 1985. It is distinguished by its completely Chinese style of architecture. But for the cross on top of the roof, one would have thought it a just an ordinary Chinese building.
The window to the guard house next to the main entrance was simply decorated.
The side wall of the church
The entrance to the church
This church was built by some French missionaries in 1927, destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and was renovated 1985. It is distinguished by its completely Chinese style of architecture. But for the cross on top of the roof, one would have thought it a just an ordinary Chinese building.
The window to the guard house next to the main entrance was simply decorated.
The side wall of the church
The entrance to the church
Underneath the arch to the entrance, one can read the Latin word "ecclesia catholica" meaning Catholic Church and to its left, the Chinese words, "Welcoming the Green Mountain and facing the Erhai, Renewal in spring, summer, autumn winter, Highlighting the grandeur of the Creator"
The counterpart of the couplet says: One body in three and three in one. This is the Lord, mysterious, profound and unfathomable."
On the wall opposite to the church are written the slogan, "Love the country, love the church. Unity and Harmony". It is now part of the so-called "Patriotic Chinese Catholic Church", not subject to control from Rome.
It could be seen that it was not very well maintained.
The inside of the church however was not open to visitors. This is the best I could do.
On this wall, instead of finding painting with religious motifs, we found instead the words, "Silvery Green Jade Er", something completely secular!
Right across the narrow alley opposite to the main entrance to the church, we found in a dirty bamboo or weed basket the remains of the de-fleshed ribs of a cow/goat (or pascal lamb?) beneath some thorny cacti !!!
Jade Mountain Temple有晨光，這教堂相對就顯得幽暗，是否午後黃昏前拍攝的．記得鄰近教堂還有一所學校之類，是毛澤東長征時經過停留一晚，也闢為旅遊點開放．教堂門常關，有人看守，如想入內拍照，可予一點’香油’意思意思．
回覆刪除[版主回覆02/08/2012 11:44:22]Yes we went there close to just before dinner. As you can see, there were lots of clouds in the sky at the time. I don't recall seeing any schools nearby. But you may be right. Maybe it could be very close by. Yes, when we arrived, the gate of the church was closed and our tour guide had to call someone open the gates. Those who came out looked pretty glum.
這教堂也很特別，想不到內陸省份也有這漂亮的天主教堂。
回覆刪除[版主回覆02/08/2012 11:45:24]It was a very Chinese church!
I am ambivalent towards religions. On the one hand they satisfy the spiritual needs of many people, on the other they are the cause of many deadly conflicts on Earth!
回覆刪除[版主回覆02/12/2012 16:12:49]Wherever there are human beings, you find imperfections. Our imperfections are our bane and our glory. If man were perfect, there would have been no need for religion. Where there are imperfections, there lies hope for perfection. Perfection and imperfection are twin brothers. You can't have one without the other.