Facts about Arhat Temple

Facts about Arhat Temple - Introduction

Arhat Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple and monastery, is situated in the downtown area of Chongqing Municipality in southwest of China. Actually, the location of Arhat Temple is a little bit of a surprise – wedged tightly between skyscrapers and apartment blocks. Arhat Temple is one of key Buddhist temples of Han nationality, which is also a Buddhist institution of Chongqing Municipality. The Arhat Temple formerly knows as Zhiping Temple as first built in the North Song Dynasty (1064 – 1067) and then changed to the current name in Qing Dynasty reign of Emperor Guangxu, for the Arhat Front Hall collapsed during the Qing Dynasty reign of Emperor Qianlong (in 1752). There are treasured more than 400 Buddha Statues of Song Dynasty, such as Sleeping Buddha, Guanyin Statue and Support Portrait which imitated BaoDingshan Caved Stone of Dazu Country in style, and a Buddha rock with a length of more than 20 meters. The Main draw is the impressive entrance to the temple decorated with hundreds of terracotta sculptures. This site is worthwhile even for the non-pious.

Facts about Arhat Temple – History

During the Qing Dynasty reign of Emperor Guangxu (in 1885), a monk named Long Fa rebuilt the Arhat Hall with 500 arhats counterfeiting Baoguang Temple, and then changed the Arhat Hall into Arhat Then Temple. Arhat temple was ruined in the Anti – Japanese War, the Arhat Statues were totally destroyed during Ten Years Upheaval (1966-1976) and reconstructed again by Chinese Government in 1984. Many Buddhist art treasures are treasured in Daxiong Palace, such as sixteen statues of Mahakasyapa' s which are the representative of the best students of Sakyamuni Buddha. There is also copper statue of "Three of Western Saint" in Ming Dynasty, "a Buddha of Sakyamuni" of Myanmar's, and an imitative Indian mural of "Gautama Buddha shaven".

Facts about Arhat Temple – Scenery Spot

Among the attractions for a tourist visiting the temple are the Four Guardians of the World, the Stele Kiosk of the Ming Dynasty, and the ancient Buddhist cliff inscriptions of the Northern Song Dynasty. Then stepping into the Temple proper and climbing some stairs, you will view the imposing Sakyamuni Hall and lastly you will find the Depository and the Meditation Room.

Daxiong Palace of Arhat Temple

There are many Buddhist art treasures in Daxiong Main Palace, sixteen statues of Mahakasyapa' s which are the representative of the best students of Sakyamuni Buddha, a copper statue of "Three of Western Saint" of Ming Dynasty, "a Buddha of Sakyamuni" of Myanmar's, and an imitative Indian mural of "Gautama Buddha shaven".

Sutra Mansion of Arhat Temple

Tibetan Tripitaka, Sankrit and classic Tibetan are collected inside the Sutra Mansion of Arhat Temple, including ancient books and calligraphies and paintings which are mostly the treasures of Tang – Ming Dynasties. There are alotogether 524statues of Buddha and all of them are clay sculptures. These clay sculptures are modeled exquisitely with vivid looks. Many devout people come there to pray with counting numbers of Arhats.

History Impression of Arhat Temple

Like what we mentioned above, the location of Arhat is a little bit of surprise – wedged tightly between skyscrapers and apartment blocks, situated in the busiest downtown of Chongqing Municipality. There is only a gap of a door, at the gate of the Temple, busiest and crowded people come and go – modern and traditional, trendy and classic, desired and quiet. Is it a fantastic imagination? You will find yourself in past and present.