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Daxiangguo Temple (simplified Chinese:大相国寺;traditional Chinese:大相國寺) is a famous Chinese Buddhist Temple inKaifeng in easternHenan province,People's Republic of China. It is located in the center of Kaifeng City. It played a key role in the development of Chinese Buddhism. The views of the temple earned many honors, include "Ten Miracles of a Chinese Temple", "Eight sights of Bianliang", "Xiangguo Frosty Bells," which is also one of the most famous views of this temple. It is also considered among the top ten famous temples in China.[1] A famous computer game called "Moonlight Blade Online" created byTencent Games recognizes this temple.
It was first built in 555 A.D., the sixth year duringEmperor Wenxuan's reign of theNorthern Qi period (550–577) and it was named "Xiangguo Temple"(simplified Chinese:相国寺;traditional Chinese:相國寺. From the historical record, the temple is built on the land belonging to Mr. Xinling, who was one of "Four Gentlemen" during theWarring States period. Then it was renamedDaxiangguo Temple in memory ofEmperor Ruizong of Tang, who took the throne as Xiangwang (Chinese:相王), the king of Xiang, in 712 A.D.
The temple reached the height of its status as a Royal Temple in theSong dynasty. This temple was worshipped and respected by emperors; therefore they reconstructed it in its new area, which is about 540 mu (about 360,000 square meters), managed 64 departments ofChan Buddhism and commandment with several thousand ofmonks. After the reconstruction, the temple became one of the largestBuddhism temples in China. It's also known as a big hub of poets, musicians and a meeting place for all citizens in that period. Also, the Daxiangguo temple was known as an international Buddhism center; many foreign tourists visited, and many monks went there to study. It was a place for the Chinese to exchange their culture with foreigners. However, it was destroyed in the lateMing dynasty due to the flood of theYellow River. It was reconstructed under theQing dynasty.[2] Today, the constructs that remain were basically built during theQing dynasty.
TheTianwang Dian (Chinese: 天王殿;pinyin:Tiānwángdiàn; lit: ”Hall of the Heavenly Kings”) includes three red doors and five rooms. The roof was made of golden glazed tiles. The statue ofMi Le Fo is located in the center of the hall. He sits on a lotus, smiling. On both sides of the hall, Four Heavenly Kings stand there as the guard.Mi Le Fo is also known as the successor ofShijiamounifo (Gautama Buddha), who is the founder of Buddhism.[citation needed]
Almost every Buddhist temple in China has abell tower, as does the Daxiangguo temple. The bell tower is the first major building that visitors see after they step through the main gate. A bell is hanging in the tower, it weighs about 5 tons, and its height is about 2.23 meters. It had been built in 1748. In winter, the sound echoes of the bell can be heard all over the city.
TheDaxiongbao-dian (Traditional Chinese: 大雄寶殿,pinyin:Dàxióng Bǎodiàn) is the main hall of the temple and dates back to the 18th year of theShunzhi Emperor's reign (1661). It is an individual building which does not connect with other constructs. Ten Chinese stone lions are positioned at the front of the hall. The hall enshrines three Buddhas:Shijiamounifo,Amituofo andYaoshifo. TheEighteen Arhats are enshrined on the platforms on the east and west walls. Behind the three Buddhas is a large sculpture of theBodhisattvaGuanyin, which is based on the account of the acolyteSudhana's pilgrimage to find 53 teachers to learn under in theAvataṃsaka Sūtra.
TheLuohan Dian (Traditional Chinese: 羅漢殿,pinyin:Luóhàndiàn; lit: “Hall of Arhats”) is a hall with eight angles. The constructor used a colored glaze to make the roof. This design makes the hall unique and beautiful; it's very rare in the whole world. In the hall, there are 500 Buddhistarhats standing on both sides of the building. In the center, there is a woodenGuanyin Statue (Avalokitesvara).[3]
There are many festivals held in the temple every year; the most popular one is the Lantern Festival. During the Lantern Festival, there is a big lantern exhibition in the temple. It is a place to feel traditional Chinese culture.
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34°47′34″N114°20′56″E / 34.79278°N 114.34889°E /34.79278; 114.34889