Source: CCTV.com

01-19-2009 09:48

Beijing is a city of many temples. Dotted between modern highrises are the monasteries where people come to seek solace. These temples embody a profound Chinese religious culture. On today's China Cool, we continue our tour around Beijing temples.

Guangji Temple

Located on Inner Fuchengmen Street in western Beijing, the Guangji Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China. It's now the headquarters of the Chinese Buddhism Association, and oversees national Buddhist activities.

Located on Inner Fuchengmen Street in western Beijing, the Guangji Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China.

Originally built eight hundred years ago during the Jin Dynasty, the temple has several main structures including the main gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Yuantong Hall and Sutra Hall. After passing through the main gate, visitors will see the Bell and Drum Towers, and will find themselves facing Heavenly King Hall. Inside the hall sits the bronze statue of the Maitreya Buddha, guarded by the four Heavenly Kings. On the roof of the hall is a Wheel of Dharma, designed to suggest the infinite power of Buddha.

Originally built eight hundred years ago during the Jin Dynasty, the temple has several main structures including the main gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Yuantong Hall and Sutra Hall.

The temple houses a wall of 18 Buddhist deities, Ming dynasty religious relics and a library of over 100,000 volumes of scriptures in 20 different languages, some of which date back to the Song dynasty. These are of great importance for students of Chinese Buddhism.