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Luoyang Tour of
White Horse Temple
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In the year 64 of the Eastern Han
Dynasty (25-220), Emperor Ming sent a delegation of his men to study
Buddhism in the western world. After three years, two eminent Indian
monks, She Moteng and Zhu Falan, came back with the delegation. They
brought with them a white horse carrying Buddhist sutras and
Buddhist figures on its back. This was the first time that Buddhism
appeared in China.
To express his thanks to the two monks and their white
horse, the emperor ordered the building of a monastery which he
named the White Horse Temple during the following year. During this
time, the two monks were busy translating sutras in the temple until
they completed the Chinese sutra 'Forty-two Chapter Sutra', which
attracted many monks and meant that the temple became a centre for
Buddhist activity in China. It is for this reason that the temple is
honored as the 'Founder's Home' and the 'Cradle of Buddhism in
China'.
The temple, which is located about seven miles away
from the city of Louyang, is covered with green ancient trees and
appears solemn and tranquil. Outside the gate, there is a pool with
fences around and lovely fish in the water. It is for the believers
to set free the captive animals. After crossing the pool via a stone
bridge, you will enter the temple. To the east and west of the gate
are the tombs of She Moteng and Zhu Falan, which are one of the six
most famous sights in the temple. In the east corner stands a tablet
pavilion. The Chinese characters written on the tablet are the work
of a Chinese calligrapher abbot Shamen Wencai, designed during the
Yuan Dynasty (1271-368). They are written in his familiarly free and
easy style and describe the history of the temple.
The temple boasts great antique architecture which has
remained intact for over 1,900 years. The Hall of Heavenly Kings,
Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of Guidance and the
Cool and Clear Terrace appear in proper order in the temple, as they
were when it was first built.
Hall of Heavenly Kings:
This hall was originally built in the Yuan Dynasty. In
the middle of the hall sits a laughing Buddha - Maitreya. It is said
that the Buddha was once incarnated as a beggar monk with a purse,
which actually contained all the treasures of the world. The shrine
is made of wood with over 50 vivid dragons carved into it and is
truly a remarkable example of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) culture. On
either side of Maitreya stand the four majestic 'Celestial Kings'.
Each holds a different weapon and all four are clay sculptures
moulded during the Qing Dynasty.
Hall of the Great Buddha:
This hall boasts the most spectacular architecture in
the whole temple. The roof is covered with exquisite pantiles; the
upturned eaves and the bracket system reflect the architectural
style of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A statue of the Buddhist
patriarch Sakyamuni stands in the middle of the hall for people to
make offerings to. He is flanked by two of his disciples - Kasyapa
and Ananda. The one with sutra in his hands is the Bodhisattva of
Wisdom - Manjusri. The other is the Bodhisattva of Universal
Benevolence - Samantabhadra. All of these statues provide vivid
portraits with smooth lines and demonstrate a high level of
craftsmanship of the Ming Dynasty.
Hall of Guidance:
This hall is where the Amitabha Buddha is worshipped
and is the smallest in the temple. This Buddha is in charge of the
Western Paradise. On his right and left are the Bodhisattva of
Moonlight and the Goddess of Mercy respectively. Both sculptures are
captured in clay and were produced during the Qing Dynasty. It is
said that at the words of 'Amitabha Buddha', one will be led to the
Paradise after death. Amitabha is therefore known as the Buddha of
Guidance, hence the name of the hall.
Hall of Mahavira:
This is the most magnificently decorated hall in the
temple. The roof is carved with colorful lotus patterns and the
walls are hung with thousands of the wooden statues of Buddhist
figures. In the centre of the hall stands a two-storey Buddhist
shrine exquisitely carved with birds in flight and giant winding
dragons which lend the shrine its awesome appearance. The three
saints Sakyamuni, Amitabha and the Buddha of Medicine look jovial
with the eighteen arhats standing around and all are made from silk
and hemp. Each one weighs only three to five kilograms (about seven
to eleven pounds). The colors on these statues are still as fresh
today as when they were first produced during the Yuan Dynasty. They
are priceless treasures of the nation.
The Cool and Clear Terrace:
This is a high brick terrace built in the yard at the
rear of the temple where the sutras and Buddhist figures, brought
back by the white horse, were once stored. It is also the place
where the two Indian monks translated the sutras during the Eastern
Han Dynasty. The terrace was the first place at which Buddhist
sutras were translated in China and for this reason, it is one of
the most famous locations in the temple.
Outside the temple, there is a tiered brick pagoda
named Qiyun Pagoda, which is actually the oldest of China's ancient
pagodas. It is the earliest example of ancient architecture in
Luoyang and also one of the most precious Jin Dynasty (1115-1234)
structures in the Central Plains of China. Standing south of the
pagoda and clapping your hands, you will discover that the echoes
you hear sound quite similar to the noise of frogs croaking. This
perplexing phenomenon attracts many curious tourists every day.
Tour Luoyang with Great
Wall Adventure Club, the best Luoyang tour agent to help you with
your hotel booking and transfers. |
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