阿(a)(a)貴廟(miao)是(shi)西部地區最大(da)的(de)(de)紅(hong)教寺廟(miao),是(shi)印度僧蓮花生(sheng),于清(qing)德(de)宗光(guang)緒三年所建。阿(a)(a)貴的(de)(de)意(yi)思為(wei)山洞,因為(wei)此處奇(qi)洞攀巖,以洞穴為(wei)佛殿而得(de)名阿(a)(a)貴廟(miao)。由清(qing)庭理藩院改名為(wei)“宗乘(cheng)寺”。
阿貴廟為典型藏式風格建筑,藏名為“拉西仁布·嘎定林阿貴”,清廷賜名為“宗乘寺”。蓮花生大師曾在此修行、講法,他的雕像矗立在廟宇之上。民國元年(nian)(1912年(nian))蒙藏委員會賜(si)予“滿、蒙、藏、漢”四種(zhong)文字雕(diao)刻的(de)“宗乘寺(si)”匾額。
阿貴(gui)廟建(jian)有大(da)(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)及左右(you)配殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、馬(ma)頭金剛(gang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)等共(gong)981間,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)旁有佛(fo)塔(ta)一座(zuo)。阿貴(gui)廟的(de)大(da)(da)(da)(da)部(bu)分殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)宇在(zai)文革時期被(bei)燒毀。現在(zai)的(de)大(da)(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、金剛(gang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)和白(bai)塔(ta)是(shi)(shi)后來(lai)恢復重建(jian)的(de)。大(da)(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)是(shi)(shi)佛(fo)寺(si)中(zhong)(zhong)供奉佛(fo)祖的(de)大(da)(da)(da)(da)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),是(shi)(shi)整座(zuo)寺(si)廟的(de)核心建(jian)筑(zhu),也是(shi)(shi)僧(seng)眾朝暮(mu)集中(zhong)(zhong)修持的(de)地方。大(da)(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)中(zhong)(zhong)主供奉釋(shi)迦(jia)牟尼佛(fo)像(xiang),還供有蓮(lian)花生大(da)(da)(da)(da)師。大(da)(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)左右(you)為配殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)建(jian)筑(zhu),西側(ce)是(shi)(shi)金剛(gang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。寺(si)廟旁有轉經(jing)筒,來(lai)往(wang)者(zhe)可以順時針轉上一圈(quan)。
在大殿周圍的懸崖峭壁(bi)上有5個(ge)奇(qi)(qi)特的天然巖洞(dong)(dong)(dong),分別是蓮花生洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、上樂金剛洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、護法(fa)神(shen)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、仙女洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、洪羊洞(dong)(dong)(dong)。每座巖洞(dong)(dong)(dong)都流(liu)傳著神(shen)奇(qi)(qi)動人的傳說。
蓮花生洞(阿貴洞):蓮花生(sheng)洞(dong)供主(zhu)神蓮花生(sheng)塑(su)像(xiang),喇嘛們設(she)壇(tan)、供奉、誦(song)咒(zhou)灌頂就在(zai)這里舉(ju)行。洞(dong)門(men)右側有(you)一(yi)巨大的鐘(zhong)乳石(shi)柱,堪稱(cheng)鎮洞(dong)之寶。洞(dong)門(men)外的一(yi)塊巨石(shi)上留有(you)一(yi)枚腳印,傳(chuan)說是蓮花生(sheng)驅魔降妖時留下的。
上樂金剛洞:供奉上(shang)樂(le)金剛,是藏傳佛教密宗本尊神,其像為(wei)雙尊。上(shang)樂(le)金剛有三(san)面臉(lian),每臉(lian)三(san)目(mu),十二臂(bei),主(zhu)臂(bei)擁抱明(ming)妃(fei)金剛亥母,余臂(bei)持(chi)物,雙足(zu)踏人。塑像為(wei)上(shang)樂(le)金剛與明(ming)妃(fei)金剛亥母相抱。
仙女洞:里(li)有白救(jiu)度佛母(mu)(mu)(mu)和綠(lv)救(jiu)度佛母(mu)(mu)(mu)塑像(xiang),是藏(zang)傳(chuan)佛教女(nv)神(shen),是觀音化身的(de)救(jiu)苦救(jiu)難本尊(zun)(zun)。以(yi)上兩(liang)尊(zun)(zun)為(wei)藏(zang)王松贊干(gan)布的(de)兩(liang)位夫人(ren),分別(bie)是尼泊爾(er)(er)公(gong)主(zhu)和文成公(gong)主(zhu),白度母(mu)(mu)(mu)是尼泊爾(er)(er)公(gong)主(zhu),綠(lv)度母(mu)(mu)(mu)是文成公(gong)主(zhu)。度母(mu)(mu)(mu)以(yi)顏色區分,以(yi)白、綠(lv)度母(mu)(mu)(mu)最為(wei)常見。此外,洞內還供有21個(ge)仙女(nv)塑像(xiang)。
護法神洞:洞里(li)主神(shen)為(wei)護(hu)(hu)法神(shen),即(ji)迦(jia)蘭神(shen),是守護(hu)(hu)寺院神(shen)的通稱(cheng),共有十八(ba)神(shen)。
洪羊洞:迦樓羅(luo)天(tian)神(shen)(shen)的(de)(de)(de)供(gong)養(yang)處(chu)。迦樓羅(luo)天(tian)神(shen)(shen)是八(ba)(ba)部天(tian)龍(long)之一(yi)(佛教(jiao)(jiao)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)八(ba)(ba)部眾是八(ba)(ba)部天(tian)龍(long)的(de)(de)(de)別稱(cheng)(cheng),是佛教(jiao)(jiao)八(ba)(ba)類護法天(tian)神(shen)(shen)),是守護佛教(jiao)(jiao)的(de)(de)(de)第(di)六天(tian)神(shen)(shen)。一(yi)般來說,迦樓羅(luo)以人面(mian)鳥(niao)身、鳥(niao)面(mian)人身或全鳥(niao)身形(xing)像出現,華譯(yi)為(wei)金翅鳥(niao)。洪羊洞(dong)呈弓形(xing),在洞(dong)壁上有(you)(you)(you)兩個1米見方的(de)(de)(de)洞(dong)穴,均用石頭鑲(xiang)邊,傳說里面(mian)有(you)(you)(you)焦(jiao)贊、孟良(liang)兩尊(zun)塑像。兩人因盜楊繼業尸骨有(you)(you)(you)功,故立塑像供(gong)奉。一(yi)進(jin)洞(dong)口幾米處(chu)分(fen)上下(xia)(xia)兩層,上進(jin)下(xia)(xia)出,進(jin)里面(mian)下(xia)(xia)臺(tai)階,據傳臺(tai)階下(xia)(xia)有(you)(you)(you)深洞(dong),由大石板蓋著,可是沒(mei)有(you)(you)(you)人考證過究竟有(you)(you)(you)多(duo)深。洞(dong)里有(you)(you)(you)紅土又稱(cheng)(cheng)“玉光土”,信徒們往往取而治病,也(ye)是蒙醫常用的(de)(de)(de)藥材之一(yi)。
傳(chuan)(chuan)說(shuo)(shuo)蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)曾到(dao)過洛陽和五(wu)臺(tai)山,返回途中(zhong),於(wu)(wu)公(gong)元774年(nian)(nian)(nian)(陰歷(li))九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)月(yue)(yue)(yue)二十(shi)(shi)二來(lai)到(dao)阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)廟(miao)。當(dang)(dang)時(shi)這(zhe)(zhe)里(li)沒有(you)廟(miao)宇,只(zhi)有(you)山洞(dong)。傳(chuan)(chuan)說(shuo)(shuo)五(wu)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)洞(dong)中(zhong)居住著一母所生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)的(de)(de)5個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)少女即5個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)“杭瑞(rui)瑪”(仙(xian)女)。她們(men)在這(zhe)(zhe)5個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)洞(dong)里(li)分別於(wu)(wu)九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)月(yue)(yue)(yue)二十(shi)(shi)五(wu)招待了(le)(le)蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)及其隨行(xing)人員。以后將每(mei)年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)(陰歷(li))九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)月(yue)(yue)(yue)二十(shi)(shi)五(wu),定(ding)為迎接(jie)(jie)(jie)蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)祭神(shen)日。次(ci)年(nian)(nian)(nian)即公(gong)元775年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)(陰歷(li))七月(yue)(yue)(yue)初十(shi)(shi),蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)一行(xing)離開(kai)了(le)(le)阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)洞(dong),此(ci)時(shi)四周民(min)眾(zhong)集會(hui)歡(huan)送(song)蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)等人,於(wu)(wu)是又將每(mei)年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)七月(yue)(yue)(yue)初十(shi)(shi)定(ding)為歡(huan)送(song)日。至今阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)廟(miao)每(mei)年(nian)(nian)(nian)七月(yue)(yue)(yue)初十(shi)(shi),九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)月(yue)(yue)(yue)二十(shi)(shi)五(wu)的(de)(de)兩次(ci)大型廟(miao)會(hui)就是從那時(shi)開(kai)始的(de)(de)。相傳(chuan)(chuan)蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)在此(ci)居住9個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)多(duo)月(yue)(yue)(yue)的(de)(de)時(shi)間里(li),把這(zhe)(zhe)里(li)的(de)(de)妖(yao)魔(mo)鬼怪全部用法術鎮壓(ya)下去,還(huan)(huan)親手塑(su)起一座2尺5寸(cun)高的(de)(de)蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)像(xiang)。并說(shuo)(shuo):“你們(men)每(mei)當(dang)(dang)見到(dao)這(zhe)(zhe)尊(zun)塑(su)像(xiang)就如同見到(dao)我一樣,一切妖(yao)魔(mo)不會(hui)傷害生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)靈了(le)(le),會(hui)給(gei)當(dang)(dang)地民(min)眾(zhong)消除(chu)(chu)災難(nan)”。蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)等在接(jie)(jie)(jie)受(shou)杭瑞(rui)瑪們(men)的(de)(de)歡(huan)送(song)時(shi)還(huan)(huan)說(shuo)(shuo):“我們(men)西方有(you)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)'烏(wu)日斤杭瑞(rui)'地區,你們(men)這(zhe)(zhe)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)可叫(jiao)'亞吉拉(la),杭瑞(rui)瑪阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)'”。“杭瑞(rui)瑪阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)”也從此(ci)得名(ming)。當(dang)(dang)時(shi)在這(zhe)(zhe)山溝里(li)還(huan)(huan)居住著叫(jiao)柯寶日·達(da)(da)日克的(de)(de)老倆(lia)口,有(you)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)兒子叫(jiao)落本贊達(da)(da)日。蓮(lian)(lian)(lian)花(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)(hua)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)對他說(shuo)(shuo):“接(jie)(jie)(jie)收你為徒(tu)弟,將密教傳(chuan)(chuan)授給(gei)你并要你傳(chuan)(chuan)遞下去”。洛本贊達(da)(da)日接(jie)(jie)(jie)受(shou)了(le)(le)這(zhe)(zhe)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)旨意。但此(ci)教必須“真實”言教,學到(dao)咒(zhou)術才能為百(bai)姓除(chu)(chu)害。于是,洛本贊達(da)(da)日歷(li)盡(jin)千辛萬苦(ku)到(dao)印度薩齊巴(ba)地方學經,經過幾(ji)年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)努力(li),終于受(shou)授了(le)(le)法術,學到(dao)了(le)(le)密咒(zhou),回到(dao)阿(a)(a)(a)貴(gui)廟(miao)后成了(le)(le)第一個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)傳(chuan)(chuan)徒(tu)接(jie)(jie)(jie)代的(de)(de)師傅。