Guangji Temple is located on Inner Fuchengmen Street, in the Xicheng District, Guangji Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China. It is now the headquarters of the Chinese Buddhism Association and the center to conduct national Buddhist activities.
Originally built in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), additions were made to the temple by successive dynasties. The present temple was completed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the original structure having undergone three expansions, three fires, and three reconstructions. It now covers an area of 5.766 acres. The major structures in the temple are the main gate, the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Yuantong Hall (or Buddhisattva Hall) and Sutra Hall.
The Main Gate includes three arched doors, joined together by connecting walls. Each door is adorned with colored glazed eaves. Passing through the gate, visitors will see the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, and will find themselves facing the middle Heavenly King Hall. Inside the Hall, the bronze statue of the Maitreya Buddha is sitting in the center, guarded by the four Heavenly Kings. On the roof of the hall is a Wheel of Dharma, designed to suggest the infinite power of Buddha.
In the second courtyard is the Mahavira Hall. In front of the hall is a bronze vessel that was made in 1793, during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This fine vessel is 2 meters (6.56 feet) high, cast with the eight treasures of Buddhism -"the wheel, spiral shell, umbrella, canopy, flower, vase, fish, and knot".
The Yuantong Hall in the third courtyard is the residence of Buddhisattva.
The two-storied Sutra Hall of the fourth yard houses the collection of sutras and treasures. It is filled with treasures that have been given as gifts by friendly Buddhists of other states and over 100,000 volumes of sutras. Among these, the sutras written in blood from the Song (960-1279) and Ming Dynasties are especially precious.
Admission Fee: CNY 5
Opening Hours: 08:40 to 17:30
Recommended
Time for a Visit: One and a half hours
Bus Route: 13, 823
Electric Bus Route: 102