Temples in China: descriptions, names and photos

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

There are many ancient temples in China, but we will focus on the most famous shrines. Each of them has an interesting story that goes back centuries. Almost every building went through difficult times and that is why it is of interest to modern people. Who founded these complexes and ensembles? What are the names of temples in China? We will try to answer these and other questions in our article.

Temple of Heaven

This is the largest, most beautiful and best preserved temple in China. The temple is surrounded by two walls. The first of them - square - symbolizes the earth. The second - round - represents the sky. The temple complex, with a total area of 273 hectares, is distinguished by the splendor of its architecture and impresses with its solemn appearance. The whole complex is divided into internal and external parts. The main buildings are located in the inner part. These include the Hall of the Sky, where the memorial plaques of the Spirit of Heaven are located. The Hall of Prayer for the Grain Harvest is also located here. Return sound wallknown abroad as the construction of architectural acoustics. The architectural ensemble of the Temple of Heaven in China, which has been repeatedly restored and rebuilt, is distinguished by a variety of styles and forms and is recognized as the world's largest ensemble erected for ritual sacrifices to heaven. The Temple of Heaven is the most representative example of Chinese ritual architecture. It is known for its strict symbolic layout, idiosyncratic structure and magnificent decor.

The design of the Temple of Heaven complex, true to its sacred purpose, reflects the mystical cosmological laws believed to be central to the workings of the universe. Both the general layout and the buildings themselves reflect the existing relationship between heaven and earth at the core of Chinese cosmology at the time. Numerous numerology, symbolizing Chinese beliefs and religion, is present in the design of the Temple of Heaven. For example, since the number nine was considered the most powerful (representing eternity), the slabs that form the altar of the Round Mound were stacked in multiples of nine. Similarly, in the Hall of Prayer for a Good Harvest, the inner twenty-eight columns are divided into four central columns to represent the seasons, twelve inner columns to represent the months, and twelve outer columns to represent the twelve two-hour periods. Another interesting fact is that the Hall of Prayer for a Good Harvest is one of the largest medieval wooden structures: 38 meters (125 feet) high and 36 meters (118feet) wide, built entirely without nails.

Ceremony at the Temple of Heaven

Chinese emperors were considered "sons of heaven", revered as representatives of heaven on earth. The emperors regarded the winter solstice sacrifice ceremony for a good harvest as the most important religious and political activity.

Three days before the ceremony, the emperor with his officials and guards moved from the Forbidden City to the camp in the Temple of Heaven. The emperor wore ceremonial robes and abstained from eating meat and alcohol.

The day before, cattle were being prepared as a sacrifice.

The ceremony was held with important details. It was believed that even a slight deviation could bring the displeasure of heaven on China. Since the 19th year of the Ming Yongle Dynasty, 27 emperors have been worshiped in the Temple of Heaven. Ordinary people were not allowed to watch the ceremony.

Temple of Heaven today

Although in imperial times the public was not allowed to enter the huge park, now for a minimal fee everyone can enjoy it all day.

Early morning is the best time to visit the Temple of Heaven. It's worth waking up: you'll have an interesting experience watching the locals do their morning exercises.

An older person practicing slow and fluid tai chi movements may be next to a young person performing vigorous kung fu kicks. One group may learn the ancient martial art of sword fighting, while the othertraditional dance.

Shaolin Monastery

Among the Buddhist temples in China, the Shaolin Temple, founded in 495 AD, stands out. e. at the western foot of Songshan Mountain, 13 kilometers northwest of Dengfeng City, Henan Province. The then Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557) built a temple to house the Indian master Batuo (Buddhabhadra). Shaolin Temple literally means "temple in the dense forests of Mount Shaoshi". As the first abbot of Shaolin, Batuo (Buddhabhadra) devoted himself to translating Buddhist scriptures and preaching to hundreds of his followers. Later, another Indian monk, Bodhidharma, arrived at the Shaolin Temple and was said to have crossed the Yangtze River on reeds. He spent nine years meditating in Wuru Peak Cave and started the Chinese chan tradition at the Shaolin Temple. After that, Bodhidharma was awarded the title of the first Patriarch of Chan Buddhism. Since Chinese Kung Fu also originated from the Shaolin Temple, it has been recognized as the origin of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Kung Fu. Shaolin Temple includes many interesting attractions such as the Hall of Heavenly Realms (Tianwangdian), Mahavir Hall, Pagoda Forest, Dharma Cave and Martial Arts Training Center.

Shanmen Hall

At the top was a sign saying "Shaolin Temple". The tablet was signed by the Kangxi Emperor (1622-1723) during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Sitting under the stairs of the hall are two stone lions made during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Maitreya Buddha is kept in the hall. Two sides of the corridor outside the gates of the halllined with inscriptions on stone steles made during the reign of several different dynasties.

Hall of Heavenly Kings

The gates of the hall are guarded by two figures depicting Vajra (servant of Buddhist warriors). Inside the hall are the figures of the Four Heavenly Kings, who are responsible for the pious behavior of people and their blessing.

Mahavira Hall

Here are both important holidays and regular prayers. 18 Buddhist arhats stand along the eastern and southern walls of the hall. This hall houses the Buddhas of the Middle, East and West, respectively Shakyamuni Buddha, Pharmacist Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. Figures of Qingnaro (founder of the Shaolin club) and Dharma (founder of Chinese Zen Buddhism) stand next to these three Buddhas, whose arrangement is very different from other Mahavira Halls. At the foot of the pillars in this Mahavira Hall are stone lions over one meter (about 3.33 feet) high. There are about 50 small holes on the ground, 20 centimeters (about 7.87 inches) deep.

Pagoda Forest

Cemetery for Buddhist dignitaries for centuries. On average, pagodas are less than 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. The layer and shape of a pagoda depends on many factors such as Buddhist status, achievements and prestige during one's lifetime. Forest Pagoda here is the largest of China's pagoda complexes.

Ancestral Monastery and Second Ancestor Monastery

The first monastery was built by a Dharma student to honor the memory of the Dharma. It has a large hall supported by 16 stone pillars, the shafts of which are gracefully carved with warriors, dancing dragons andphoenixes. The second monastery is the nursing home of Huike's second ancestor, who cut his left hand to show his sincerity in learning Buddhism from the Dharma. In front of the monastery are four springs created by Dharma to help Huika get water easily.

Dharma Cave

In this cave, Dharma patiently looked at the wall and meditated for 9 years. Finally, he reached an immortal spiritual state and created Buddhist Zen. The cave is seven meters deep (about 23 feet) and three meters high (about 9.8 feet). Many stone inscriptions are carved on both sides. There is a meditation stone in the cave. It is said that the shadow of the Dharma was reflected on the stone and built into it due to the long time he spent meditating in front of the wall. Unfortunately, the stone was destroyed during the war.

Buddhist quarters

After passing the Dharma cave, we arrive at the Buddhist residential area for temporary monks. It is located on the south bank of the Shaoxi River opposite the temple. First built in 1512 in the Ming Dynasty, it was renovated in the Qing Dynasty. The quarters are known for their simple and distinctive design. It collapsed in 1958 and was refurbished in 1993.

Wushu (Martial Arts) Training Center

Shaolin monks have been practicing kung fu for over 1500 years. The system was invented by Dharma, which taught the monks the basic methods to improve their he alth and protection, it is a type of martial art that trains flexibility and strength.

Temple of the Jade Buddha

Temple in China dedicated to the Jade Buddha isfamous complex located in the bustling center of Shanghai. The temple is considered one of the top 10 attractions in the city. The history of the temple to date has more than 130 years. In 1882, the Qing Dynasty Buddhist monk Huigen from Mount Wutai made a pilgrimage to Mount Emei and holy Tibet, reached India, and finally reached Burma to take five pieces of the Jade Buddha and prepared to go back to Mount Wutai, one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. In Shanghai, he left two statues: a sitting and a reclining Buddha, and built a temple called the Temple of the Jade Buddha. It was later destroyed during the war and rebuilt in 1918.

Jade Buddha Temple is Song Dynasty style architecture with a clear complex and harmonious structure. In the central axis are the Heaven's Realm Hall, the Daxiong Great Hall, and the Jade Buddha Chamber. On the left and right sides are Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Hall, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Hall, Manjushri Bodhisattva Hall, Reclining Buddha Statue, Copper Buddha Hall and so on.

Hall of Heavenly Kings

The Hall of Heavenly Kings has two floors. Maitreya Buddha sits in front of the hall with smiling faces that will appear on Earth in the future. Behind the statue of Maitreya is a statue of Skanda with a vajra in his hands, which protects the temple. On either side of the hall are the Four Heavenly Kings, which symbolize peace in the east, west, north, and south.

Great Hall

It is the main part of the Jade Buddha Temple. Three holy Buddhas sit in the hall:Shakyamuni Buddha is in the middle, Amitabha is on the left and Medicine Guru Buddha is on the right. All of them are about four meters in height with a very calm expression on their faces. In addition, there are the gods of the twenty heavens covered in gold lining the east and west sides of the Great Hall. And 18 unique golden arhats standing in nine groups outside the hall.

Won Tai Sin Temple

According to legend, this temple in China is named after Master Wong Cho Ping, a shepherd boy born in 328 AD during the Cun Dynasty to a poor family from Lan Xi City, Jin Hua County, Zhejiang Province on the east coast mainland China. He lived for 40 years in seclusion studying this art, after which his brother Wong Cho Hei found him following the instructions of a Taoist master, and from then on he was called Wong Tai Sin. In 1915, the father and son of Taoist priests Liang Renan and Liang Junzhuan brought a portrait of Hong Tai Sin to Hong Kong from the local temple of Sik Sik Yuen in Xiqiao in Guangdong province, and this portrait was exhibited in a small temple in Wan Chai, where a charitable organization was founded, who manages Wong Tai Sin Temple.

In 1921, following the divine guidance of Wong Tai Sin, the portrait was moved to the site of the current temple, which is believed to have good shung shui against the backdrop of Lion Rock. The temple was a private shrine for Pu Yi Tang Taoists until 1934, when it was opened to the public on the Lunar New Year. The current main worship hall was built between 1969 and 1973 and substantially renovated between 2008 and 2011 at the same time that the temple was established. Tai Sui Yuenchen Underground Palace.

Church of the Epiphany - Kitay-Gorod

When the walls of the Moscow Kremlin were still made of wood, a church and the Epiphany Monastery, founded by Prince Daniel in 1298, already stood on this site. In this monastery, the future Moscow Saint Alexei took monastic vows. In 1342 Prince Ivan Daniilovich Kalita founded a stone church. It was the first stone cathedral in Moscow outside the Kremlin walls. At the base of the current Church of the Epiphany in Kitai-Gorod, the stones of that first church have been preserved.