White Horse Temple (ch. 白馬寺
also White Horse Ministry) was the first Buddhist temple in China, established under the patronage of Emperor Ming in the Eastern Han capital
Luoyang in the year 68.
Founding
One night, the emperor was said to have dreamed of a deity flying over his palace. The next day he told his ministers, and the
minister Zhong Hu explained to him that
he probably dreamed of Buddha in India. The
emperor then sent a delegation of 18 headed by Cai Yin, Qin Jing and
Wang Zun to seek Buddhism. They returned
from Afghanistan with an image of Gautama Buddha, the Sutra of Forty-two Sections and two eminent monks. The next year, the emperor
ordered the construction of White Horse Temple three li west of the capital Luoyang, to remember the horse that carried back the sutras. It was China's first Buddhist
temple.
Significance
The old temple gate, May 2004.
The first version of the Chinese Sutra of Forty-two Sections was produced within the temple. The temple then
increased in importance as Buddhism grew within China, and spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. The introduction of Buddhism in
China was also a significant influence on Chinese morals, thought and ethics.
Location
The temple is located within Han and Wei Dynasty Luoyang, which lies approximately 12km
east of modern Luoyang, in Henan province.
History
In 1992, with the assistance of Thai and
Chinese donors, the Hall of the Thai Buddha was constructed slightly west of the old temple.
Description
The temple compound covers an area of 200mu, and faces south. A stone archway has been
recently built 150 metres in front of the original gate. Between the archway and gate lies a pool with fountains, spanned by
three stone bridges.
Entering the temple today, one sees the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall
of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of Greeting, the Cool and Clear Terrace and the pavillion. On each side of the pavillion are the
Sutra House and the Magic Weapon House.
Visiting Today
The temple is open to the public, and can be reached by public bus number 56 from Luoyang Train Station.
Standard tickets cost 35元 and discounts are available to students at half price (17.5元).
See also
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