Wutai Mountain, one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, is located in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, spanning Wutai County, fan shi County, Daixian County, Yuanping City and Dingxiang County, with a planned scenic area of 607 square kilometers and an administrative jurisdiction area of 436 square kilometers.
"Records of Famous Mountains" says: "Five peaks of Wutai Mountain stand tall, higher than Yun Biao, and there are no trees on the top of the mountain, which is like a platform for laying soil, so it is called Wutai." Wutai Mountain is a Buddhist Dojo located in China's Green Temple and Yellow Temple. There are 86 places for religious activities, including many monasteries, which were visited by emperors of many dynasties. The famous ones are: Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, Bodhisattva Temple, Nanshan Temple, Dailuoding Temple, Jinge Temple, Wanfoge Temple and Bishan Temple.
In 2004, Wutai Mountain was rated as one of the top ten famous mountains in China. In June 2009, Wutai Mountain was listed as a world cultural heritage. In 2007, it was rated as a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.
The famous temples in Wutai Mountain
1, Tayuan Temple
Tayuan Temple is located in the center of Taihuai Town and is named after the Great White Pagoda, the symbol of Wutai Mountain. This great white pagoda is 75.3 meters high and 83 meters around. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty when Emperor Xiaowen was in power, and was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. According to records, the stupa built by King Ashoka of India is hidden in the Great White Pagoda, so Buddhists must first worship this sacred site when they go to Wutai Mountain. There is also a Manjusri Pagoda in Tayuan Temple, which is said to contain the hair of Manjusri Bodhisattva.
2. Xiantong Temple
Located behind Tayuan Temple, the existing buildings were built in Ming and Qing Dynasties, with an area of more than 80,000 square meters and more than 400 buildings. There are seven halls on the central axis, which are Guanyin Hall, Manjusri Hall, Giant Buddha Hall, Infinite Hall, Qianbo Hall, Bronze Hall and Sutra Hall from front to back. As far as the Infinite Hall is concerned, it is as high as 2 1 m, and there is not a beam. It is all made of bricks. The outer eaves are carved with flowers, and the inner carved algae wells are suspended, which looks like a flower-covered treasure top, and the construction is strange.
3. Bodhisattva Top
Located on Lingjiu Peak behind Xiantong Temple, it is said to be the residence of Manjusri Bodhisattva, also known as manjusri temple, also known as Zhenrongyuan. There are 108 stone steps in front of the temple, facing upward is a wooden archway with the words "Lingfeng Scenic Spot" written on it. Buddhism believes that people have 108 troubles, and the way to get rid of them is called "Dharma". The main halls of the Bodhisattva Peak are covered with yellow, green and blue glazed tiles. Kangxi imperial tablet stands in the front yard. The Qianlong Imperial Monument, standing in the East Courtyard, is carved by a square giant stone, and its body is as high as six meters.
4. nanzenji
It is of special significance in the history of Buddhism in China. Tang Wuzong Huichang destroyed the Buddha, and only nanzenji escaped this disaster, and fortunately lived alone in Wutai Mountain, thus becoming the oldest existing wooden building. This ancient temple is small and exquisite. According to the ink on the beam, the Daxiong Hall was built in Jianzhong, Tang Dezong for three years, with a history of more than 1,200 years. It has preserved the typical architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. On the altar in the temple, there are 17 colored sculptures of the Tang Dynasty, including Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, disciples, boys and heavenly kings.
5. Bukkoji
Located on the mountainside of Foguang Mountain, it has the reputation of "Asian Buddha Light". The temple is built on the mountain, surrounded by three peaks in the east, south and north, and its scale is huge. Its architecture, statues, murals and ink are known as "four wonders". Bukkoji was founded during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Tang Wuzong Huichang destroyed the Buddha and the temple was destroyed. In the 11th year of the Tang Dynasty, the East Hall, the main hall, was rebuilt. Bukkoji is an example of existing wooden buildings in the Tang Dynasty, which has a prominent position in the history of architecture.
Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Wutai Mountain