Temple of Recumbent Buddha

Index | Architecture

The Temple of Recumbent Buddha is located about 20 kilometers from Beijing and is near the Temple of Azure Clouds at the north foot of Xishan (Western Hill). The Temple of Recumbent Buddha is a Buddhist Temple and one of the famous ancient temples in Beijing. There is a bronze recumbent Buddha inside the Temple, which is how it received the name Temple of Recumbent Buddha.

History
The temple with its official name of Temple of Universal Awakening was constructed in the reign of Zhenguan (627-649) during the Tang Dynasty(618 A.D. - 907A.D.) and has a history of more than 1300 years. Its original name was Doushuaisi and during the Yuan Dynasty renamed Zhaoxiaosi, also called Hongguangsi. As the Temple lies backed by the Shouan Mountain, it also got the name of Shouan (Longevity and Peace). In the year of Emperor Yongzheng region (1734) in the Qing Dynasty, it changed into the name of Universal Awakening, but commonly referred to as the Temple of Recumbent Buddha.

Lay Out and Architecture
In its whole layout, the Temple starts from the front entrance gate, stretching north with four successive halls flanked by porches, side halls, parlors and abbot's room, which together form three connected courtyards. The main buildings from south to north are: Four Heavenly King's Hall, Three Buddhas Hall and the Recumbent Buddha's Hall.

The Recumbent Buddha's Hall is the most important hall in the Temple. The present hall is the one built in the Jin Dynasty (1115A.D. - 1234A.D.). The temple underwent further construction during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 A.D.- 1368A.D.). The recumbent Buddha inside the Hall is the statue of Sakyamuni, which is five meters long and weighs 54 tons, was built in 1321A.D. during the Yuan Dynasty. More information...

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