Lingyin Temple

30.242777777778120.09666666667Koordinaten: 30 ° 14 ' 34 "N, 120 ° 5' 48" E

Lingyin Temple (灵隐寺/灵隐寺, Língyǐn Si), also known as Lingyin Monastery called (on German as a temple / monastery of soul sanctuary, Temple / Monastery of the Hidden Immortals or temple / monastery of the miraculous world distance ) is a, Zen Buddhist monastery north-west of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

It is one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in China.

Location

The monastery is situated in a long narrow valley at the foot of the 168 m high Feilai Feng ( German: achieving peak Flown ) about four kilometers west of the West Lake and the mountain summit between North Beigao Feng (314 m). The distance to the east of the monastery located six million inhabitants metropolis of Hangzhou is about ten kilometers in a straight line.

History

The monastery was founded in the year 328, during the period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty by monk Huili, one of the first Buddhist missionaries from India, was established. According to tradition, Huili chose the 168 m high mountain, because he thought he was a part of a sacred summit of his home, which " had flown here by divine decree ." This story alludes to a legend of Buddha Shakyamuni, the Lotus Sutra preached from the mountain Ghridhrakuta, the mountain had flown through the air.

The temples were destroyed in the 9th century during the Buddhist persecution, but then rebuilt. In the 10th century, during the Wuyue kingdom ( 907-978 ), the monastery had reached with 270 halls, pavilions 18 and 9 towers in its heyday. Up to 3,000 monks should then have lived in the monastery. During the Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864) burned the monastery almost completely and was only at the beginning of the 20th century, ie, rebuilt at the end of the Qing Dynasty. From the 10th century, date back two Sutrensäulen ( of 969 ) and two damaged stone pagodas, while otherwise all buildings are younger than 140 years. In one of the two pagodas are to be kept Huilis mortal remains. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the monastery was not destroyed by the Red Guards. It is generally believed that this is due to the then Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. After an extensive renovation in 1971, the monastery opened its doors again.

Attractions

Before the monastery

On the way to the temple, visitors will pass by many rock-hewn Buddhist sculptures. The Feilaifeng rock sculptures consist of over 400 figures and were carved in the period between the 10th and 14th century by monks in the rock. The most famous of these is certainly the grinning Budai from the time of the Southern Song Dynasty (1126-1279), the slant is opposite the current entrance to the temple.

Within the monastery determine five large halls the image of the monastery.

The Great Hall of the Great Hero

The Mahavira Hall, the Great Hall of the Great Hero大雄宝殿Chinese, Pinyin Daxiong Bǎodiàn, is the main hall of the monastery. It is from 1953 and with a height of 33.6 m it is the highest single-storey building in China. In it is a nine -meter high Buddha Shakyamuni. It was founded in 1956 from 24 individual parts carved camphor wood and has a halo with base and height of 19.6 m. It is the largest wooden Buddha in China. To the coated with gold leaf Buddha around are 18 Arhats and twelve figures of famous disciples of Buddha. A 20 -meter-high relief scene on the back of the statue illustrates the story of the prince Sudhana. He sought to Buddhahood 53 teachers, including the Goddess of Mercy Guanyin on a dolphin. In the middle of the relief to Sakyamuni is as emaciated ascetic. At his side, a monkey and a deer. They should have supplied the ailing Buddha with milk and fruit. There are further 18 Arhats who ride different animals to Guanyin on the side of the Buddha. Front of the hall there are two octagonal and nine-story stone pagodas ( Yuetai ) from the 10th century. Mapped to it are groups of figures, as well as Buddhist sutras.

The Great Hall of the Heavenly Kings

In the Great Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Chinese天王 殿, Pinyin Tianwang Dian ), another Milefo that with the back to the Buddha Weituo ( Buddha of the future, Defender of the Buddhist doctrine ) is available and is located in the center of the hall. The approximately 5 m high sculpture dates from the time of the Southern Song Dynasty. Four guards ( the Heavenly Kings ) surrounded him. The more a guardian for a compass direction. A pipa player guarding the East and thereby controls the wind, a swordtail guarding the south and the climate. The west guarded by a serpent-bearer. The snake stands as a symbol of the dragon who brings rain. A faceplate is guarding the north. With a shield to ward off the threat of it from this direction evil forces.

The pipa player for the East

The sword-bearer for the South

The Ophiuchus for the West

The Hall of the Medicine Buddha

The Hall of the Medicine Buddha ( Yaoshi Fo) was not completed until 1991. The figures on the side walls represent the Chinese Zodiac

The Hall of 500 Arhats

In the Hall of 500 Arhats are 500 life-size statues of arhats who are all different.

Others

The temple is one of the Chinese national focus temple of Buddhism on Han Chinese territory.