CURRENT LOCATION: > 网络台首页 > DISCOVER > INFORMATION

Wangji Temple in Beilin, a Tang imperial temple

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.

b2b9ffd76c3b0a332eb9402cc7b7dd19.jpeg        

568417b7928595f854cba11ed9777386.jpeg         

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

429aa1ef67a67c2ffbcc31efed97a526.png                        

937a51ec0426d3ba6b44a73aca2adbb8.png         

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.

c2d25acd3c1298375408739a9e475963.jpeg                        

5aad9cf0f810fe7892117f76f772c29f.jpeg         

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

77c85149a1584f768681f4a16d7ee792.png         

Ming Dynasty tablet

ba5256d86afba6341af8747deeb77f08.jpeg         

Original Tang stone carving, a pair of Pixiu on the left and right sides outside the gate

Serenity in the bustle

71adf1c0e64f7a4419b7c7dabd22f111.jpeg                        

d77cd795ed5bb6a8e842e76f1a20d2cd.jpeg         

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.

5a87e80e3e876f1370a3081401d1c68b.jpeg                                                

a4e8a8f2e091ef9c2142f3dc1e5156e3.jpeg         

In the confined space, buildings in the strong Tang style seem all the more antique and magnificent, not incompatible at all.

986b2bca6d1cb616716bded553f179c7.jpeg                        

186fb2ddc9c8ef96f3e8eeb8ae7bf00a.jpeg         

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.

13e43e8d187650d07e5ab1f1cd3a05f3.jpeg                        

e8c74ab9d4f1068fefac5a1873448343.jpeg                                 

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.

c3c3e32a56206d497902c4d5d68b46f2.jpeg                        

a6c408bdca9840b6b32851c02b0acfca.png         

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