Daci Temple

Daci Temple (Chinese: 大慈寺; pinyin: Dàcí Sì; lit.: 'Temple of Infinite Compassion and Mercy') is a Buddhist temple located in Chengdu, Sichuan.[1][2]

Not to be confused with Daci'en Temple.
Daci Temple
大慈寺
Shanmen at Da'ci Temple.
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DeityChan Buddhism
Location
LocationChengdu, Sichuan
CountryChina
Shown within Sichuan
Geographic coordinates30°39′21.31″N 104°04′50.29″E
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
Date established3rd century
Completed1867 (reconstruction)

History

Wei and Jin dynasties

The original temple dates back to the 3rd century. According to Wu Deng Hui Yuan (五灯会元), in the Wei and Jin dynasties, Indian Buddhist monk Baozhang (宝掌) came to Sichuan to worship Samantabhadra and lived in Da'ci Temple.[1]

Tang dynasty

In 622, during the Tang dynasty (618–907), Xuanzang (602–664) received full ordination at Daci Temple. In 756, An Lushan (703–757) seized the capital city Chang'an, Emperor Xuanzong (685–762) was evacuated to Chengdu. When he saw monks of Daci Temple giving food to the poor in the street, he was deeply moved and inscribed and honored the name "Dashengci Temple". Emperor Xuanzong issued the decree rebuilding the temple. Master Wuxiang (无相), a prince of Silla, supervised the reconstruction of the temple. In 822, Master Zhixuan (知玄) settled at the temple to deliver Buddhist precepts there, and attracted large numbers of practitioners. Emperor Wuzong of Tang (814–846) ordered to demolish Buddhist temples, confiscate temple lands and force monks to return to secular life. Because the temple had the handwriting of the former Emperor Xuanzong, it was exceptionally retained and became the only Buddhist temple in the area.[1][3][4]

Song dynasty

In the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279), Lanxi Daolong (1213–1278) received ordination as a monk at the temple. In 1246, he took his disciples to Japan, and founded the Kenchō-ji sect in Japan.[1]

Ming dynasty

In 1435, in the 10th year of Xuande period (1399–1435) in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), a disastrous fire destroyed most of the buildings.[1]

Qing dynasty

Daci Temple was reconstructed during the Shunzhi era (1368–1661) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It was renovated and refurbished in 1867, during the reign of Tongzhi Emperor (1856–1875).[1]

People's Republic of China

After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the policy of religious freedom was implemented. Daci Temple was classified as a municipal level cultural heritage in Chengdu. It was turned into a museum in 1983. At the end of 2003, Daci Temple was restored and was officially opened to the public on April 8 of the following year. On June 25, 2005, monk Da'en (大恩和尚) was proposed as the new abbot of the temple.[1] The low rise Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu complex which opened in April 2015 was built surrounding the temple in keeping with traditional Sichuan architecture.[5]

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References
  1. 从大慈寺到太古里：穿越千年历史，传奇依旧繁华不改！ [From Daci Temple to Taiguli: Throughout a thousand years of history, legends are still flourishing and unchanged]. Sohu (in Chinese). 2018-04-25.
  2. 闹市里的一方净土——成都大慈寺 [A Pure Land in a Downtown Area: Daci Temple in Chengdu]. Baidu (in Chinese). 2017-05-27.
  3. 成都大慈寺：世俗如此之近，又如此之远 [Daci Temple in Chengdu: So close and so far from this world]. sohu (in Chinese). 2018-08-27.
  4. 繁华中的沉寂——大慈寺 [Silence in Prosperity: Daci Temple]. sohu (in Chinese). 2018-04-22.
  5. TWO CHINA PROJECTS WIN TOP AWARDS AT ULI EVENT. 7 October 2015. mingtiandi.com
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