Exploring Honglefu Daotang in Qingtongxia: History of Jahriyya Sufi Shrine & Ma Yide Gongbei in Ningxia
[Internet Repost]
Exploring Honglefu Daotang in Qingtongxia: A Historical Overview of the Fourth Master Ma Yide's Gongbei of the Jahriyya Sufi Order
Abstract:
A visit to Honglefu Daotang (Sufi shrine and hall) and the Ma Yide gongbei (Sufi shrine / mausoleum complex), located in Renqiao Village, Xiakou Town, Qingtongxia City, Ningxia. This field research examines the fourth master Ma Yide's journey of spiritual retreat and the architectural style of this county-level cultural heritage site, shedding light on the historical legacy of Northwest China's Sufi menhuan (Sufi order / brotherhood).
Previously, I introduced the Siqiliangzi gongbei in downtown Wuzhong. Another gongbei, known as the Honglefu gongbei or Honglefu Daotang, is located in Renqiao Village, Xiakou Town, Qingtongxia City.
Honglefu is the resting place of Ma Hualong's father, the fourth master Ma Yide, and others. Born in the 43rd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1778), Ma Yide led the order for 32 years, a period of relative peace for the Jahriyya order between two major uprisings. Under his leadership, the Jahriyya experienced a full revival.
On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in the 29th year of the Daoguang reign (1850), Ma Yide returned to Allah in Lingzhou. Revered by followers as the 'Fourth Month Eighth Master', he was laid to rest next to the tomb of his grandfather, the Seventh Baba. This elevated the fame of the Honglefu gongbei. During the Republican era, followers established a daotang here, which became known as Honglefu Daotang.
Spanning over 300 mu in its entirety, Honglefu once featured not only the gongbei, but also daotang spaces, residences, guest rooms, kitchens, and charitable schoolrooms. It originally consisted of 15 courtyards with over 190 rooms, surrounded by orchards and the graves of community members. Ma Zhenwu, the eighth murshed (spiritual guide), is also buried within the complex.
Destroyed in the 1960s, it was rebuilt on the original site in 2006. The current complex covers about 75 mu and is built in the Tang Dynasty architectural style. In addition to the mausoleum grounds, it features a main prayer hall, a central courtyard gateway, scripture-reciting halls, accommodations for the ahoon (Islamic scholar / imam), a library, guest rooms, and an Islamic scriptural school. (Ning 38, Qingtongxia Cultural Relics Protection Unit, written on December 27, 2024)
Exploring Honglefu Daotang in Qingtongxia: A Historical Overview of the Fourth Master Ma Yide's Gongbei of the Jahriyya Sufi Order
Abstract:
A visit to Honglefu Daotang (Sufi shrine and hall) and the Ma Yide gongbei (Sufi shrine / mausoleum complex), located in Renqiao Village, Xiakou Town, Qingtongxia City, Ningxia. This field research examines the fourth master Ma Yide's journey of spiritual retreat and the architectural style of this county-level cultural heritage site, shedding light on the historical legacy of Northwest China's Sufi menhuan (Sufi order / brotherhood).
Previously, I introduced the Siqiliangzi gongbei in downtown Wuzhong. Another gongbei, known as the Honglefu gongbei or Honglefu Daotang, is located in Renqiao Village, Xiakou Town, Qingtongxia City.
Honglefu is the resting place of Ma Hualong's father, the fourth master Ma Yide, and others. Born in the 43rd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1778), Ma Yide led the order for 32 years, a period of relative peace for the Jahriyya order between two major uprisings. Under his leadership, the Jahriyya experienced a full revival.
On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in the 29th year of the Daoguang reign (1850), Ma Yide returned to Allah in Lingzhou. Revered by followers as the 'Fourth Month Eighth Master', he was laid to rest next to the tomb of his grandfather, the Seventh Baba. This elevated the fame of the Honglefu gongbei. During the Republican era, followers established a daotang here, which became known as Honglefu Daotang.
Spanning over 300 mu in its entirety, Honglefu once featured not only the gongbei, but also daotang spaces, residences, guest rooms, kitchens, and charitable schoolrooms. It originally consisted of 15 courtyards with over 190 rooms, surrounded by orchards and the graves of community members. Ma Zhenwu, the eighth murshed (spiritual guide), is also buried within the complex.
Destroyed in the 1960s, it was rebuilt on the original site in 2006. The current complex covers about 75 mu and is built in the Tang Dynasty architectural style. In addition to the mausoleum grounds, it features a main prayer hall, a central courtyard gateway, scripture-reciting halls, accommodations for the ahoon (Islamic scholar / imam), a library, guest rooms, and an Islamic scriptural school. (Ning 38, Qingtongxia Cultural Relics Protection Unit, written on December 27, 2024)
