Baima temple is also a national 5A level scenic spot. It is also the most famous scenic spot in Luoyang besides the Longmen Grottoes. So, do you know the history of Baima temple? How much is the ticket to Baima temple? How to play best?
Baima temple in Luoyang, the first ancient temple in China. Located 12 kilometers east of the old city of Luoyang, Henan Province, it was built in the 11th year of Yongping (AD 68) of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is the world-famous Kalan temple. It is the first temple built after Buddhism was introduced into China. After the establishment of the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, the Chinese 'monastery' is generally called 'temple'. Therefore, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang is also considered as the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism, known as the 'ancestral hall' and 'source of interpretation' of Chinese Buddhism. The Baima temple in Luoyang has a history of more than 1900 years, covering an area of about 200 mu. The existing sites and historic sites are left in the yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are a large number of Jiagan lacquer statues in the Yuan Dynasty, such as the third Buddha, the second Tianjiang and the 18th Luohan, which are precious.
The gate of Baima temple in Luoyang
The gate of Baima temple in Luoyang is the gate of the temple. It is a three door arch of arch type. The middle door is 3.08m high, 2.35m wide and 3.60M deep, and the door openings on both sides are small. The plaque of "White Horse Temple" is inlaid on the front, which is inscribed by Mr. Zhao Puchu, former president of China Buddhist Association. The "Mountain Gate" is the main gate of Chinese Buddhist temple, which is generally composed of three gates, symbolizing the "empty gate", "non phase gate" and "non wish gate" of Buddhism. Since many temples in ancient China were built in mountain villages, they are also called "Mountain Gate". Jiajing was rebuilt in 1546.
There are two stone horses outside the mountain gate. They are 1.8m long and 2.2m long. They wear bridles on their heads and saddles on their bodies. They are gentle in temperament and delicate in carving. They are said to be the horses carrying scriptures in the Han Dynasty. In fact, they are the stone statues in front of the tomb of Wei Xianxin, the Grand Master of the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1935, master Dehao, abbot of Baima temple, moved Shi Ma to the front of the mountain gate.
Six ancestral halls of Baima temple in Luoyang
The hall of the sixth ancestor of Baima temple in Luoyang is located on the west side of the central axis and in the southwest of the Buddha Hall. There are six Buddhist monks in the hall. In the middle is the first Bodhidharma, with the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth.
White Horse Temple Jade Buddha Hall in Luoyang
The White Horse Temple Jade Buddha Hall in Luoyang is located in the west side of the Buddha Hall. It used to be a Zen hall. It is a 5-bay hard mountain building. It is 17.25 meters long from north to South and 5.4 meters wide from east to west. It is built on a stone platform base and worships a jade Buddha in the hall.
Lying Buddha Hall of Baima temple in Luoyang
The Sleeping Buddha Hall of Baima temple in Luoyang is located in the east side of the main Buddha Hall. It was originally the hall of fasting. It was built in 1996. The hall is a 5 Bay hard mountain building, 17.25 meters long from north to South and 5.4 meters wide from east to west. It is built on a stone platform. There is a 5 meter long and 8 ton lying Jade Buddha in Burma enshrined in the hall.
Treasures Pavilion and Sutra Pavilion of Baima temple in Luoyang
The two pavilions are located in the East and west sides of qingliangtai respectively. They were built in 1995. The two pavilions are of the same size and shape, with double eaves and Xieshan style. The foundation of the pavilion is 5 meters high, 25.2 meters long from east to west, 22.5 meters wide from south to North. The foundation is reinforced concrete frame, forming the lower chamber of the pavilion. On the platform base, a five bay double eaved Xieshan style hall is built, 18.5 meters long from east to west, 12.95 meters wide from north to south. It is painted with vermilion lacquer columns, architraves, and covered with grey tiles. Among them, in the middle of the Sutra Pavilion, there is a 'Chinese ancient Buddha' presented to Baima Temple by Thailand. There are more than ten kinds of Sutras in the Sutra Pavilion, such as "dragon collection", "China's great collection", "Japan's great collection", "Tibet's great collection", "Dunhuang's great collection" and so on. It is the place where the monks of Baima Temple read, collected and studied. There is a bronze Buddha statue presented by Indian Prime Minister Rao during his visit to China in 1993, and there are dozens of 'magic treasures' in the pavilion.
Luoyang white horse temple travel tips
1. Specific address of Baimasi in Luoyang: beside National Road 310, Baimasi Town, Luolong District, Luoyang City
2. Ticket information of Baima temple in Luoyang: 50 yuan in full price
3. Opening hours of Baima temple in Luoyang: open from 07:30-19:00 every day throughout the year. The opening hours of the scenic spot will be adjusted in holidays, light and peak seasons
4. Luoyang Baimasi bus line: tourists from Luoyang railway station to Baimasi can take bus No.56 to the terminal; tourists to Baimasi after visiting Guanlin temple can take bus No.58 to the terminal.
5. Visiting season of Baima temple in Luoyang: Although there are four distinct seasons in Luoyang, the ancient trees in the temple are towering, evergreen all the year round, accessible in spring, summer, autumn and winter, but spring and autumn are the best seasons. Luoyang has a warm climate in April, so you can enjoy the wonderful scene of countless peonies competing for beauty. Especially from April 1 to May 5 every year, the Peony Culture Festival is full of flowers. For those who don't want to join the peony, the best season is undoubtedly autumn. It's really a pleasure to visit the ancient temple. People who believe in Buddhism can choose the first day, the 15th day, the Mid Autumn Festival, the Spring Festival and other festivals to pray for Buddha.
6. Recommended tour route of Baima temple in Luoyang: Mountain Gate -- heavenly king hall -- Buddha Hall -- Mahavira hall -- Introduction hall -- Pilu Pavilion -- Qiyun tower. The main buildings of the White Pagoda Temple are all located on a central axis. Visitors can enter from the mountain gate, pass the four halls in turn, and finally arrive at Pilu Pavilion After going out from Pilu Pavilion, some new pavilions can be built along the way. Although it does not belong to the main building group of Baima temple, it also has a high level of art and culture. Qiyun tower is located in the southeast of Baima temple, not in the temple, with a height of 35 meters. It was originally a nine level wooden structure pagoda built by Li Cunhui of five generations later, and has a high artistic and cultural value.