source:DISCOVER SHAANXI editor:Wenny
The history of being the capital of thirteen dynasties has left Xi'an many unique Buddhist temples.
In Xi'an, there are two temples established during the Tang Dynasty: one is the Jianfu Temple (today's Xiaoyan Pagoda) built in 684 A.D. by Emperor Ruizong for his late father Gaozong; the other is the Wangji Temple built in 705 A.D. by Princess Taiping to pray blessing for her mother Empress Wu Zetian.
Xiaoyan Pogoda is more popular with locals, while the latter one, Wangji Temple, is less known. Today, I will introduce to you guys the Wangji Temple, an ancestral temple of Buddhist Pure Land Sect.
Among three Tang royal temples in Chang'an
One of the three major royal temples in Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty (Da Ci'en Temple, Jianfu Temple, and Wangji Temple), Wangji Temple got its name from a line in Classic of Poetry that "I want to repay her loving kindness, which is as infinite as the vast sky", showcasing children's infinite filial affection for their parents.
The 1300-odd-year-old Wangji Temple has great religious, cultural and relic values that are rarely seen in the country.
An epitome of Lama Pagoda
Behind the Wangji Temple used to be a magnificent simple pagoda forest, which was the burial place of master monks in the temple, making it a precious treasure house to study the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism and the history of Wangji Temple.
Each pagoda is inlaid with a dark blue tombstone engraved with the monk's Dharma name, biography, and the detailed information like the dynasty, year, month and day when the tablet was erected.
Those pagodas are associated with the historical event "Changqing Alliance Meeting". Those are all Lama pagodas made of white stone material, with complete and glittering "sun and moon" signs atop the pagodas that have ensured thousands of years.
Changqing Alliance Meeting: In 821 A.D., the Tang Dynasty and the Tubo, a minority nationality in ancient China inhabiting the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, met in the western suburbs of Chang'an. They basically agreed on the proposal of "harmonious co-existence as a family", ensuring the temporary stability of Tubo society.
Significant cultural relics
Ming Dynasty tablet
Original Tang stone carving, a pair of Pixiu on the left and right sides outside the gate
Serenity in the bustle
Despite its convenient location in the core area of bustling Beilin District, the temple has seen few visitors everyday, except a few pilgrims paying homage to the Buddha.
In the confined space, buildings in the strong Tang style seem all the more antique and magnificent, not incompatible at all.
The colorful wishing tablets in the courtyard are clattering in the strong autumn wind, occasionally accompanied by the rustling of bamboo leaves brushing against the brick wall. But you'd just find it pleasant to ears, opposed to noisy.
Green bamboo and red leaves are dancing in the courtyard in the wind; the warm sunlight slowly brings the shadows from the west wall to the center of yard. Occasionally, a person strolling leisurely passed by.
A few peacocks are also kept in the temple, pacing leisurely as if no one was there under the green bricks, gray tiles, and bamboo shadows, perfectly blending in with the solemn historical buildings.
Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
Admission: Free
Location: No. 49, Dongguan Paofang Street, Beilin District, Xi'an
Pics from the Internet
Check the ID for Redbook source of part pics