The DaMing Temple (大明寺) in YangZhou, JiangSu province, is a renowned Buddhist temple with a rich history dating back over a thousand years. It is one of the key cultural and historical landmarks in YangZhou and holds significant importance in Chinese Buddhist heritage. Here is more information about the DaMing Temple:
History and Origins:
Establishment: The DaMing Temple was originally built during the Southern Dynasties period in the 5th century AD, making it one of the oldest temples in Jiangsu province.
Significance: It was initially established by the ruler of the Liang Dynasty, Emperor Wu, as a center for Buddhist teachings and practices.
Architectural Features:
Main Hall (Mahavira Hall): The temple's main hall is the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿), a grand and majestic structure that enshrines statues of Buddha and other important figures in Buddhism.
Pagoda: The temple complex also includes a historic pagoda, known as the Yunyan Pagoda (云岩塔), which is a designated national treasure and an iconic symbol of Yangzhou.
Cultural Heritage:
Influence: Throughout its history, the DaMing Temple has played a pivotal role in the development of Buddhist culture, attracting scholars, monks, and pilgrims from across China and beyond.
Renowned Monks: The temple has been associated with several influential Buddhist monks and scholars, contributing to the spread of Buddhism and the exchange of knowledge.
Attractions and Highlights:
Yunyan Pagoda: The pagoda within the temple grounds is a must-visit attraction, offering panoramic views of Yangzhou from its upper levels.
Historic Artifacts: The DaMing Temple houses various Buddhist artifacts, scriptures, and relics, providing insights into the region's religious and cultural heritage.
Modern Significance:
Cultural Site: Today, the DaMing Temple remains an active Buddhist temple and a popular destination for tourists, scholars, and pilgrims interested in exploring China's Buddhist traditions.
Tourist Destination: Visitors can immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of the temple complex, admire its architecture, and learn about its historical significance.
Location:
Address: DaMing Temple, No. 1 Taicheng Road, Hanjiang District, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
The DaMing Temple in Yangzhou stands as a testament to China's enduring Buddhist legacy and serves as a living link to the region's ancient past. Its blend of architectural beauty, cultural heritage, and spiritual significance makes it a captivating destination for travelers seeking to explore Jiangsu's historical treasures.
The annual Water Splashing Festival is an important festival of the Dai ethnic minority in YunNan province (and nearby countries) during the New Year celebrations of the Dai Calendar; the finale of three days.
In Buddhism, the water splash is a symbolic washing of the past for a new beginning and is the offering of blessing and respect, as well as joy.
XiShuangBanNa located in the south of YunNan province, south China, is a charming international eco-tourism resort on the reaches of the Mekong river (known as the LanCang river in China), bordering with Laos and Myanmar, and adjacent to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Esteemed for its captivating tropical landscapes and exotic cultures of the 13 native minorities, this land is home to China's largest tropical rainforest and abundant biological resources, and the Dai Water Splashing Festival (which lasts for three days from April 13 to 15).
The Six Famous Tea Mountains region, 六大茶山 (Liù Dà Chá Shān) produce some of the most highly regarded Pu-Er tea.
There are daily flights from KunMing, DaLi and ChengDu.
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All in all, there are now seventy six Buddhist temples and monasteries, most of them located near the mountain top.
The first two films focus on the most well-known - the Golden Summit and the 48 meters tall statue of Samantabhadra, known in Mandarin as PǔXián PúSà 普賢菩薩.
Emei Shan (Emei Mountain, 3,099 m / 10,167 ft) is one of the four Chinese Buddhist sacred mountains.
Emei Shan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (together with the nearby LeShan Giant Buddha) as "an area of exceptional cultural significance as it is the place where Buddhism first became established on Chinese territory ... The first Buddhist temple in China was built on the summit of Mount Emei in the 1st century CE ... Mount Emei is also notable for its exceptionally diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to sub-alpine pine forests. Some of the trees there are more than 1,000 years old."
Included in this beautiful film : the summit of Mount Emei, WanNian Si Temple, QingYin Ge and BaoGuo Si Temple.
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A beautiful film ...
The caves, full of beautiful Buddhist art, are located near DaTong in ShanXi province, north east China (west from Beijing), and date from the 5th century.
Buddhism came to this area via the northern Silk Road that linked Xi'An with Kashgar
Dragon Spring Temple (龙泉寺路), near FengHuangLing Nature Park.
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DaZhaoSì, also called the Jokhang Temple or Tsuklakang, is located by Barkhor Square in Lhasa. For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It is in some regards pan-sectarian, but is primarily of the Gelug school of Buddhism. The temple's architectural style is a mixture of Indian vihara, Chinese Tang dynasty and Nepalese design.
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Home to the Dai minority.
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The Qin state, the founding dynasty of China, arose in this part of China.
Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.
And how they complement each other.
Stephen Prothero is a Professor of Religion at Boston University. These excellent expositions are well worth a listen for all who wish to understand the Chinese civilisation, including China today.
Somewhere on ZhongNan Mountain ...
"Once, ZhuangZi dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was ZhuangZi. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable ZhuangZi. But he didn't know if he was ZhuangZi who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was ZhuangZi."
This hints at many questions regarding the philosophy of mind, language, epistemology (knowledge and belief), and the nature of time.
The wisdom of Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu / Chuang Tse); 369 BC - 286 BC, a contemporary of Mencius (a disciple of Confucius). Zhuang Zi had a significant impact on Chinese Buddhism - particularly the type that is best known by its Japanese name: Zen Buddhism. Zhuang Zi is, however, essentially a key figure in Taoism, following Lao Zi (Lao Tse). A good read is 'The Way of Zen' by Alan Watts.
With CCTV's Travelogue.
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YongHe Lama Temple dates from 1722 (Qing dynasty).
Emperor QianLong conferred it with imperial status and its roof tiles were changed to those with the imperial golden yellow color. The monastery became home to many Tibetan monks and eventually it was declared the National Center of Lama Administration.
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A 6 hour train journey from Beijing (daily overnight sleeper; also from Xi'An and PingYao).