Lingyin Temple

CCTV.COM (04.09 2003 15:20)

    Lingyin Temple錛?or the Temple of Inspired Seclusion錛?was founded in 326 AD by the Indian monk錛?Hui Li. It once served as home to more than 3錛?00 monks. During its turbulent history the temple has been destroyed and then restored no less than 16 times with the current structures dating to the late Qing dynasty 錛?644錛?911錛?

    Before reaching the temple錛?you will pass a series of rock carvings.One of the most famous is that of the Laughing Buddha錛?known as the Maitreya or the Buddha of the Future. Dedicated to him is a couplet which reads錛?

    "His belly is big enough to contain all intolerable things in the world錛?/i>

    His mouth is ever ready to laugh at all snobbish persons under heaven."

    It is believed that if you rub the belly of this Buddha錛?he will be able to foretell your future and make your wishes come true."

Editor:Inner