Behind the Heavenly King Hall is the Great Buddha Hall, which is the main hall of the temple. In that hall sit the clay-molded statues of four Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Buddha and Skanda Bodhisattva. The Heavenly King Hall is the first hall inside the temple. A pair of stone horses stands on the two wings in front of the outer wall. The central axis line starts from the Temple Gate, a roofed entrance arch with three doors. The huge White Horse Temple has over 100 rooms. Beside those main buildings are the Reception Chamber, the Cloud-water Chamber, the Ancestors Chamber, the Guests Chamber, the Buddhist Chamber, and the Abbot Courtyard and so on. Facing south, the main buildings of the temple stand on or along the central axis, including the Temple Gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Great Buddha Hall, the Main Hall, the Jieyin Hall, and the Pilu Pavilion, etc. What we see today was restored during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with an area of 34,000 square meters. The present appearance is much different from its original one. The White Horse Temple has undergone many repairs and renovations in all previous dynasties. In order to memorize the white horse for its carrying back of the sutras, the temple was named the White Horse Temple. The White Horse Temple, built after the style of Indian temples, was the place for She Moteng and Zhu Falan to translate Buddhist sutras and write sermons. Emperor Mingdi ordered the construction of the temple to the north of the imperial road outside the Xiyong Gate of Luoyang City. Cai Yin and Qin Jing came back to Luoyang City with the two monks, and a white horse carrying the sutras. The two envoys underwent much hardship and met two eminent Indian dignitaries She Moteng and Zhu Falan on the way. After he woke up, the emperor sent Cai Yin and Qin Jing as envoys to western regions to invite Buddha and learn Buddhism. According to historical records, Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han Dynasty dreamed of a golden man flying above the courtyard. It is the first temple built since Buddhism spread to China in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). The White Horse Temple has a history of over 1900 years. The construction of the temple started in the 11th year (68) during the Yongping reign of Emperor Mingdi in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). It lies on the south of Mangshan Mountain, and faces the Luohe River in the south. The White Horse Temple enjoys the reputation of the No.1 Ancient Temple of China. This is a working temple, so be aware that you must enter respectfully and not reach for your camera as photography is not allowed.The White Horse Temple is located 12 kilometers away from the east of Luoyang City, Henan Province. There is a small admission fee which you pay on entry, before being greeted by the chanting of worshippers and the heady scent of incense wafting through the air. To get to the Jade Buddha Temple, just walk the short distance from Changshou Park or Changshou Lu underground station. It has a gift shop which is also worth a look, selling religious charms and other keepsakes. If you fancy a bite to eat, the temple is home to a restaurant which is renowned for its mushroom noodles. Other important Buddhas within the Temple complex include the grand Recumbent Buddha who shares a chamber with his white jade counterpart, and the Three Golden Buddhas that can be found in the Main Hall. Made from smooth white jade, he wears an expression of deep contentment which is believed to display the inner peace he achieved as he transcended the mortal realm. The second jade Buddha can be found reclining on a polished mahogany divan in the Recumbent Buddha Hall. Take a moment to consider the statue in all its glittering glory, before you explore the other treasures housed in the tower. Covered in a dazzling jewelled coating of emeralds and agate, this statue is believed to show the Buddha as he achieves enlightenment through meditation. The Sitting Buddha resides in the aptly named Jade Buddha Tower. It houses a collection of valuable Buddha relics as well as thousands of significant Sutras, or scriptures. Named after its two jade Buddha statues which were brought to the city by a Monk from Burma in the 1800s, the Jade Buddha Temple is an important spiritual centre in western Shanghai. Leave the city streets behind and spend an hour or two in the company of the monks at the Jade Buddha Temple.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |