Famen Temple
Famen Si (Chinese法门寺, Pinyin Fǎmén Sì ) is the Chinese name for the Famen Monastery, one of the most famous ancient Buddhist monasteries in China's large community Famen in the north of belonging to the prefecture-level city of Baoji circle Fufeng in the western province of Shaanxi.
The Chinese term fǎmén (法门/法门) on behalf of the monastery is the "gateway to enlightenment " or " Gate of Dharma " of Buddhism.
Legendary past
The history of the temple goes back a long way. On the origin of the temple there are numerous legends. One says the Indian Emperor Ashoka ( 304-232 BC), who reigned ( 770-256 BC) in his forty-third year of the Nanwang the Eastern Zhou Dynasty had let built the first pagoda on this site. Another legend claims that the Famen Si going back to a temple ( 25-220 AD) had been constructed by the Emperors Huan and Ling Di Di in the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
History
The earliest historical evidence of the existence of the temple is a mention in 494 AD, during the Northern Wei Dynasty ( 385-535 ). Until its complete destruction in an anti - Buddhist movement under Emperor Wu Di (reigned 561-578 ) during the Northern Zhou Dynasty ( 557-581 ), the temple was named after Emperor Ashoka " Ayuwang Si " (Chinese阿育王 寺, Pinyin Āyùwáng Si). After the - modest - Reconstruction he was in the 3rd year ( 583 AD) of the reign Kaihuang the Sui Dynasty ( 581-618 ), under Emperor Wen Di ( 581-604 ) in " Chengshi Daochang " (Chinese成 实 道场, Pinyin Chengshi Daochang ) renamed. During the Tang Dynasty ( 618-907 ), the temple got its present name in the year 625, " Famen Si ". Not even a brief renamed " Fayun Si " (Chinese法 云 寺, Pinyin Fǎyún Si) change anything in 838.
The Famen Temple Monastery formed according to ancient lore, one of the most important shrines of Buddhism in Northwest China out and reached its heyday during the emerging, economically rapidly developing Tang Dynasty. Sources report that Famen Si 've heard during the Tang Dynasty to the four temples in China, where finger sarira relics (Chinese: Chinese舍利, Pinyin Sheli ) were kept of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. This helped the temple monastery not only to religious prestige, but also gave him political influence.
Historical sources show several destruction of the temple complex as a result of persecution of Buddhism - such as 844 order of the Tang Emperor Wuzong (reigned 840-846 ). Also multiple collapses, re- constructions, renovations, extensions and new buildings of the temple complex are occupied. So collapsed in the Ming Dynasty - during the reign of Emperor Longqings (1566-1572) - a wooden pagoda, which was built during the Tang period. In 1609 - the 37th year of Emperor Wanli (reigned 1572-1620 ) - was built in the Famen Si an octagonal pagoda made of brick.
Modern Times
1981 crashed this pagoda from the Ming Dynasty due to earthquakes and heavy rains in half a. Buddhist monks and believers were dismayed and asked for help and support in the world. The Government of Shaanxi Province decided to rebuild. Examined in the following years, Chinese archaeologists and the foundations and artifacts of past foundations. They met in 1983 randomly to a previously untouched cavity - the treasury of the temple complex. Inscriptions on the exposed entrance door to, Underground Palace ' - occupy the solemn closing of the treasury in 874 by order of the Tang Emperor Xizong (r. 873-888 ) - on the 4th day of the 1st month (according to the lunisolar Chinese calendar Bauer ).
In the opening and examination of the underground treasure chamber from 5 to 12 May 1987, there were four Sheli relics ( sarira ), which had already been mentioned in earlier reports. Two turned out to be bone replicas made of white jade and bone as a relic of a Buddhist monk. These three so-called "shadow relics " served the protection of the fourth, when it could actually act on the age and condition her to a finger bone of Gautama Buddha. Were recovered over 600 items: 122 gold and silver objects, jade, glass, porcelain, silk, coins and very valuable silk brocades from the Tang period, and other jewels. In addition, inscriptions were discovered from the time of closure of the treasury ( 15th year of the reign period Xiantong, ie 874 AD), which the Tang emperor Li Xuan (Chinese李 儇, Pinyin lǐ Xuan ), temple name " Xizong " were dedicated.
However, the earliest Buddhist inscription of Famen Si, the " Thousand Buddha Stele " (Chinese千佛 碑, pinyin Qian Fo BEI) from the time of Empress Wu Zetian (r. 690-705 ) with the text of the Nirvana Sutra was not recovered.
The finds include not only the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and the Neolithic village of Banpo of the most important archaeological finds in the province of Shaanxi.
The site of Famen Monastery is on the list of monuments of the People's Republic of China since 2006.