Journey to Ancient Times - Qutan Temple in Ledu, Qinghai (National Level 2 Cultural Relic)

Located in Xinlian Village, Qutan Town, 20 km south of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, Qutan Temple sits at coordinates 102°17′E and 36°21′N, with mountains at its back and water in front, facing southeast from its northwest orientation. Built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago, it is a Tibetan Buddhist temple constructed in the Han Chinese style under special imperial decree. It represents the best-preserved Ming Dynasty architectural complex in Qinghai Province, holding immense historical and artistic value. In 1393 (the 26th year of Hongwu), founding monk Sanluo Lama built a small shrine at the current site. He later presented horses to the Ming court as a gesture of allegiance and requested imperial protection. Emperor Hongwu named it "Qutan Temple" (after Gautama Siddhartha, historically translated as "Qutan") and bestowed a golden plaque, establishing the temple's first building - the Qutan Hall. In early Yongle period, the Ming court dispatched eunuch Meng Ji and commander Tian Xuan to assist with the temple's expansion. They successively built the Baoguang Hall, Vajra Hall, Front Mountain Gate, Dharma Protector Hall, Three Worlds Hall, and front courtyard corridors. In 1408 (6th year of Yongle), an imperial decree stele was erected to protect the temple, effectively making it a symbol of imperial authority. In the 10th year of Yongle, Sanluo Lama's two nephews, Bandanzangbu and Suonanjianzang, returned from their studies in Tibet. The Ming court bestowed upon them prestigious religious titles. In the 15th year, the court cast a golden Buddha statue in honor of Bandanzangbu. The following March, they erected the "Imperial Qutan Temple Golden Buddha Stele," followed by another "Imperial Decree Stele" that same year. During the late Ming Chongzhen period, Li Zicheng's general He Jin led troops to Qinghai. The Zhuocang Tibetans, who were affiliated with Qutan Temple, rose in resistance but were severely defeated, leading to a dramatic decrease in both population and temple attendance. After the Qing Dynasty's establishment, although the temple's senior monks petitioned Emperor Shunzhi for support, their memorial was delayed by the Jincheng governor. By then, the Qing court had shifted its focus to Tar Temple and Youning Temple in Qinghai, leaving Qutan Temple without imperial patronage. The temple's development was further affected after the Lobzang Danjin uprising during the Yongzheng period. Nevertheless, Qutan Temple has endured to this day due to its historical and cultural significance, serving as crucial physical evidence for studying Tibetan Buddhist culture and architectural arts of the Ming and Qing periods.