Date: 2006-11-16
Interviewee: Agepai Queji Jianzan
Participants: Wang Zi-li; Xing Xiu-hua; Kong Yu-xia; Li Xiao-chun; Sang Yong-xuan; Yangfan; Zhoutai; Zhangli.

When we reached the gate of the Pearl Monastery, we saw the brick aisle straight to the main hall. On both sides of the aisle, there is a garden full of peonies, cloves, Chinese redbud, and paeonia lactiflora. At first, we didn't know the principles of the Pearl Monastery, who were stopped by a monk. Thanks to our Tibetan teacher-Mr Xing, the monk allowed us to take pictures and do interview after learning our purpose. Then, we were introduced to the head of the Pearl Temple- Agepai Queji Jianzan.

Student: Hello! We are students from Hedong Town Middle School. This year, we participate in 2007 Cyber尀??? Fair, which is a big international website-making competition. We want to publish our Tibetan traditional culture on our website. Would you like to introduce the Pearl Temple?
Agepai Queji Jianzan: yes, I am quite happy to satisfy your need and also want to publish the Pearl Temple to the outside world.
Student: do you mind to tell us your age?
Agepai Queji Jianzan: I am 83.
Student: you are in good health. How long have you been in the Pearl Temple?
Agepai Queji Jianzan: nearly forty years.
Student: would you please tell us the history of the Pearl Temple?
Agepai Queji Jianzan: well. The Pearl Monastery is called 'Juedang Lakang' in Tibetan, which was founded in Southern Song Dynasty. According to religion record, the monk Longzhu Jiacuo was invited to visit Liangzhou by the prince-kuoduan. In return, he built the Pearl Monastery by selling a bag of pearls given by the prince. On the foundation ceremony, five-color halos appeared in the sky, in which numerous of gods' images emerged. Afterwards, in Buddhism activities, especially on Mar 15 in lunar calendar, many holy followers come to pilgrimage. However, in 1985, the Pearl Temple was torn down. In 1987, with the support of local people, I organized other monks to restore and expand the the Pearl T尀???emple.
Student: The Pearl Temple looks quite magnificent.
Agepai Queji Jianzan: I lead you to visit the whole monastery and you will have a deep understanding of Tibetan traditional culture. In our Temple, there are some special rooms, which offer accommodations for holy followers for free. There is a main hall, Guanyin hall and 32 wing-rooms. This is the main hall. Although it is small, the construction material is valuable. The backbone of the hall is made of colored glaze and tower is made of cooper with golden cover. We used more than 1kg gold to repair the tower in 1954.
Student: ah, it's amazing.
Agepai Queji Jianzan: the main hall is divided into two parts: the front and back. In the front, you can see some traces on the ground, which are left by holy follower after kowtowing. There are Buddhist scripture tubes around the main hall. The followers always walk around the main hall in clockwise direction after kowtowing. Most followers are women and seniors, who bless happiness for their family members. You can roll these Buddhist scripture tubes to bless safety.
At the back, it's where monks chant Buddhist scriptures. Look, there is a Sakyamuni's statue. In front of the statue, there are more than ten silver butter lamps. The largest one is 1.3m high, which can contain more than 35kg butter oil; while the smallest one can contain 5kg. The Buddhist Sculptures and four Heavenly Guardians a尀???re modeled after Zuglakang Monastery in Lahsa.
Student: Thanks to your introduction. Would you like to take picture with us?
Agepai Queji Jianzan: OK. I hope you can work hard and publish our Tibetan tradition to more people.

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