Daci'en Temple

Daci'en Temple (Chinese: 大慈恩寺; pinyin: Dàcí'ēn Sì) is a Buddhist temple located in Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi. The temple is the cradle of East Asian Yogācāra in China.[1] It is notable for the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda was originally built by an accomplished monk Xuanzang, whose story was widespread in civil society in many dynasties and the famous legendary story Journey to the West was inspired by his experience.[2] Alongside Daxingshan Temple and Jianfu Temple, it was one of the three sutras translation sites (三大译经场) in the Tang dynasty.[3]

Not to be confused with Daci Temple.
Daci'en Temple
大慈恩寺
The Shanmen at Daci'en Temple.
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DeityEast Asian Yogācāra
Location
LocationYanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi
CountryChina
Geographic coordinates34°13′26″N 108°58′14″E
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
FounderEmperor Gaozong of Tang
Funded byXuanzang
Date established648
Completed1466 (reconstruction)
Xuanzang Sanzang Hall.
Bore Hall.

History

Located in Jinchangfang (进昌坊) of Chang'an (today's Xi'an), the Daci'en Temple was first constructed in 648, in the 22nd year of Zhenguan period of the Tang dynasty (618–907).[1] Prince Li Zhi, the later Emperor Gaozong of Tang, issued the decree building the temple in commemoration of his mother Empress Zhangsun. The renowned Buddhist monk Xuanzang was in charge of the temple, where he founded the East Asian Yogācāra in the Tang Empire.[2] During his tenure, he managed the construction of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.[4]

The temple was rebuilt in 1466, in the reign of Chenghua Emperor in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

On March 4, 1961, the temple was listed among the first group of the "Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Shaanxi" by the State Council of China.[5]

In 1983, the temple was authorized as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China.

In early 2001, it was categorized as an AAAA level tourist site by the China National Tourism Administration.

On June 22, 2014, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was added to UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage.

Architecture

The complex include the following halls: Shanmen, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Bell tower, Drum tower, Buddhist Texts Library, Xuanzang Sanzang Hall, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Pagodas Forest, etc.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, also called the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and Dayan Pagoda. Was built by Xuanzang in 652. The 63.25-metre (207.5 ft) pagoda has the brick structure with seven stories and four sides of ancient Indian style. It has been renovated and redecorated several times since the Tang dynasty (618–907).[6][7][4]

Mahavira Hall

The Mahavira Hall enshrining statues of Vairocana, Mahavairocana and Sakyamuni. The two disciples' statues are placed in front of the statue of Sakyamuni, the older is called Kassapa Buddha and the middle-aged is called Ananda. The statues of Eighteen Arhats sitting on the seats before both sides of the gable walls.

Xuanzang Sanzang Hall

The Xuanzang Sanzang Hall (玄奘三藏院) enshrines the Sarira of Xuanzang and houses a copper statue of Xuanzang. On the walls of the hall painted frescoes depict events from Xuanzang's life.

Pagodas Forest

The temple has a history of almost 1400 years, has nine pagodas, which enshrine the Buddhist relics of successive abbots of Daci'en Temple. Their names and birthdates are carved in their pagoda.

National treasure

The temple houses 20 slices of the palm leaf manuscript, which were brought from ancient India by Xuanzang.

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References
  1. Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 223.
  2. Zi Yan (2012), p. 16–17.
  3. "Why Modi visited Daxingshan Temple and Ci'en Temple". Chinadaily. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  4. "Xi'an attractions: Big Wild Goose Pagoda". Chinadaily. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  5. "Archived copy" 国务院关于公布第一批全国重点文物保护单位名单的通知. sach.gov.cn (in Chinese). 2010. Archived from the original on 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2018-04-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Liang Sicheng (2005), p. 122.
  7. Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 224–225.

Bibliography
  • Zi Yan (2012). Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.
  • Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "Cradles of East Asian Yogācāra: Xi'an Daci'en Temple" 《法相宗祖庭：西安大慈恩寺》. 《图解中国佛教建筑》 [Illustration of Buddhist Architecture in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5154-0118-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Liang Sicheng (2005). "Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Ci'en Temple" 《慈恩寺大雁塔》. 《中国建筑史》 [Architecture History in China] (in Chinese). Heping District, Tianjin: Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House. ISBN 7-5306-4168-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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