Guangji Temple is situated to the west of Xisi crossroad, on the northern
side of the street. Guangji Temple means the temple of great charity
and it is one of the major Buddhist temples and the only Buddhist temple
in the downtown area in Beijing.
The temple
houses a wall of 18 Buddhist deities, Ming dynasty religious relics
and a library of over 100,000 volumes of scriptures in 20 different
languages, some of which date back to the Song dynasty. These are of high value in researching Chinese Buddhism. The Guangji
Temple now houses the China Buddhist Association. Important Buddhist
ceremonies and activities are usually held there.
History
The temple was originally built in the Jin dynasty (280-316AD), but
was completely destroyed during the chaos of the Jin and Yuan dynasties.
During the reign of Emperor Shunzhi (the second emperor in the Qing
Dynasty), more buildings were added and Buddhist schools were established
in the temple, which had more than 100 followers. The
temple was again destroyed by fire in 1934. Countless scrolls of calligraphy
and paintings and valuable jade and porcelain pieces were destroyed
in the fire.
After China's
liberation in 1972 and 1976, two innovations brought the temple the
current layout. Since
1953, the temple has been the headquarters of the Chinese Buddhist Association
and a center for Buddhist learning.
Architecture
Like most Buddhist temples in China, main buildings are placed on the
north-south axis: Mountain Gate Hall, Devajara Hall (Hall of the Heavenly
Kings), Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), Treasure Hall and other side
halls.
A two-meter
high bronze Ding (a kind of bronze vessel usually found in front of
a hall in Buddhist temples) on a granite foundation inside the Mahavira
Hall is known for exquisitely-carved designs of Wheel, Conch Shell,
Umbrella, Gan, Flower, Vase, Fish and Knot of Eternity. They are eight
sacred symbols in Buddhist.
On the
back wall In the northwestern end of the temple is a terrace where Buddhist
dignitaries give lectures. The terrace and a hall beside it are the
only two original buildings in the temple.
Chinatravelkey can add visiting of Guangji Temple on the following Beijing tour Routes:
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