Lord
Bao (999-1062), named Bao Zheng, was a renowned officer in the
Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127). He is well respected because
of his excellent personality, fair-minded judgments and strict
family education. In commemoration, many memorial temples were
built after his death. Among them the Memorial Temple of Lord
Bao is the most famous one. This temple lies in Baohe Park in
the southeastern part of his hometown, Hefei City. The current
appearance of the temple is the result of reconstruction in the
Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
Entering the beautiful park, walking through the stone gate and
along the small path by the lake, you will find the temple in front
of you. It is a typical compound with houses around a courtyard.
There is a incense burner donated by a pilgrim standing in the yard.
The main palace with five halls is the highlight of the temple.
In the center of the palace is a huge seated statue of Lord Bao,
measuring about nine feet. He is holding a scepter in one hand
and a pen in the other. The dignified, serious expression on his
face represents his impartial and incorruptible moral character.
Four bodyguards stand on two sides of him. Instruments of torture,
which are recognized as symbols of justice are on the left of
the statue. A stone portrait of Bao Zheng is inlayed in the right
wall of the hall. In the eastern and western halls display items
related to Lord Bao.
To the east of the hall is a hexagonal pavilion with a well in
it. There are stone inscriptions on the wall of the pavilion which
relate that a corrupt officer once got a terrible headache as soon
as he drank water from the well, but some kindhearted persons tasted
the water and found it as sweet as honey. Due to this the well is
also called Honest Well. To the west of the hall is Liufang Pavilion
where, it is said, Bao often studied when he was young.
There is an inscription stone in the temple which was found in
the tomb of Bao Zheng in Daxingji County, Hefei City in April, 1973.
This inscription stone records detailed information of Bao's whole
life that is helpful for a further understanding of him.
The sites of the newly built Waxwork Museum of Lord Bao and Cultural
Gallery of Lord Bao deserve your visit as well.