The Chinese in Western America dug for gold and built roads to find their roots. National Register of Historic Places "Palace of the Holy Temple" 8

Arizona Chinese Historical Association Zhang Zhaohong After leaving Bei Xi Temple, we went to Oroville and visited the "National Historic Site of the United States...

Chinese Historical Association of Arizona, USA Zhang Zhaohong

After leaving Bei Xi Temple, we went to Oroville to visit the Holy Palace, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Taking photos with temple staff Photography Li Su

If you ask me what is the biggest gain from this trip, I will answer: personally experiencing the original site where the Chinese gold mined and built roads, feeling the hardships and achievements of the Chinese ancestors in entrepreneurship, walking in Chinatown, visiting Huang'an Grocery Store, stepping into the Chinese camp, observing the gold rush creek, touching the century-old ruins of the wall, etc. These are all tangible objects. Compared with the information I saw in front of the virtual computer, it is a completely different real experience.今天我来到列圣宫，则有另类的探究：百年前的华人先辈，除了留下物质上的遗产，在精神文化方面也给我们留下了些什么？

Beixi Temple is a Taoist temple, while Liesheng Palace is a Buddhist temple. This temple was funded by the Qing Dynasty government. Pay attention to this key word, which means that this temple has a unique "imperial blessing"! Some objects arrived here from China, and many also have accurate markings from an earlier date.

Around 1850, the Chinese who left their hometown and traveled across the ocean raised funds to build the first Buddhist temple here in order to seek spiritual support. However, because it was built with a wooden structure, the temple was destroyed by fire twice.

The Qing Dynasty also understood very well that after they exported workers, they also needed to allow Chinese culture to take root in foreign lands so that immigrants could remember their ancestors and be civilized. Therefore, the third reconstruction of Lisheng Palace was funded by Emperor Tongzhi. The temple was built with red bricks. It was completed in September 1863 and has been preserved to this day.

Chinese laborers during the gold rush era eventually built Lieshenggong into a place of worship for Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, enshrining the main gods of Guan Gong, Hua Tuo and Tian Hou, as well as the door god, Tu Tu Gong and the Eight Immortals, etc. Later, a Chen family ancestor, Emperor Bo of Appeasement, who "expelled the god of plague" was added.

The author believes that Emperor Guan represents loyalty, justice, benevolence and courage, which is the spiritual pillar that maintains feudal culture. Hua Tuo can cure diseases and plagues. Chinese workers have high labor intensity and weak constitutions. In the absence of medical treatment and medicine, visiting Hua Tuo is a method of spiritual comfort and spiritual healing. The Queen of Heaven is a Buddhist fairy who also practices Taoism. She divines fortunes and fortunes for people. After becoming an immortal, she protects the safe navigation of the ocean and is regarded as the incarnation of Guanyin. The Queen of Heaven was originally called Mazu. She was a native of Putian, Fujian Province. She was never married and was praised many times by emperors of all dynasties until she was named "Queen of Heaven". For the Chinese workers back then, when visiting relatives, getting married, and bringing their families to the United States, it was very important to sincerely pray for God’s blessing and arrive safely.

The iron tripod in front of the temple Photography by Li Su

The cast iron tripod in front of the Liesheng Palace was shipped from China. The Chinese ancestors were filial to their ancestors, feared the gods, and respected the emperor. In the temples, you can see the flags made of velvet embroidery, the umbrellas used for royal parades, and countless plaques! These floor plans that could only be seen from photos in the past are now vividly displayed before our eyes, making us feel like we are in another world, and like traveling through time and space. If we are not in it, we cannot see its true meaning and appreciate its spirit.

门神秦琼、尉迟恭 摄影Li Su

From left: Hualun, Guandi, and Tianhou

The commander-in-chief's banner used during the parade in Liesheng Palace

Brocade sunshade umbrella, the 16th year of Guangxu (1890)

Various plaques Photography Li Su

>Plaque of the Thirteenth Year of Guangxu (1887)

In 1907, the flood destroyed the temple, and the Great Depression in the United States at that time caused a large number of Chinese to move out or return to China. The remaining Chinese continued to maintain the temple, especially the Chen clan. In 1937, the Chen family handed over the Holy Palace to the Oroville city government for preservation, and then built it as a museum to this day.

Bei Khe Temple and the Temple of Saints retain the historical objects and spiritual wealth of the early Chinese immigrants who came to the United States. It is worth spending more time to understand and appreciate, and I hope to visit the old places again in the future.