Guangji Temple

Located at the end of the Xisi Road inside the Fucheng Gate in Xicheng District, Guangji Temple, initially called Xiliucun Temple, was founded in the late Song Dynasty. It is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China. Facing the south, major structures arranged in the central axis of the temple are main gate, Heavenly King Hall, MahavTra (Grand Lord) Hall, Yuantong Hall (or Buddhisattva Hall) and Sutra Hall. On the east and west sides of the temple are side halls and bell tower & drum tower. At the northwest corner are the Jietan Hall and the Abstinence Altar of white marble, which is the oldest structure left in Guangji Temple, and remains well preserved. The temple is arranged symmetrically, orderly and precisely, solemn and tranquil.

The cultural relics with most outstanding Buddhism features in the temple are the statues of Buddha of the Past, Present and Future and the three statues of Buddha Sakyamuni. The statues of Buddha of the Past, Present and future placed in the MahavTra (Grand Lord) Hall are respectively Buddha Dipamkara (past Buddha), Buddha Sakyamuni (present Buddha) and Buddha Maitreya (future Buddha). The three statues of Buddha Sakyamuni are stored in Sutra Hall that is a treasury of Buddhist art and relics. Three statues of Buddha Sakyamuni are respectively the statues of Sambogakaya, Nirmanakaya and Dharmakaya.

There are a lot of Buddhist literatures in Guangji Temple. Only the library collects over 170,000 Buddhist literatures written in 23 languages. Just for the Chinese Buddhist Sutra Database, there are 12 different editions collected. The sutras written in blood during the Song and Ming dynasties are more precious. A set of Chinese Buddhist Sutras of 231 packages printed using engraved plates during 1721-1763 is a very precious edition among Buddhist literatures. Guangji Temple is now the headquarters of the Chinese Buddhism Association.

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