Fahai Temple

CHINA, Beijing

This temple is located in the Shijingshan district of Beijing and is famous for its Ming dynasty (1368–1644) murals in the Great Hero Hall. According to stele inscriptions, it was built on the ruins of Longquan Temple between 1439 and 1443. It became a well-known imperial temple at that time. It was repaired in 1504 during the Ming dynasty, and renovated in 1682 during the Qing dynasty. In 1985 the Heavenly King Hall was rebuilt on its original foundations. The temple was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1988.
Facing south, the temple complex is built on three terraces. The principal buildings are the main temple gate, bell and drum towers, Heavenly King Hall, sutra repository, and the Great Hero Hall. The latter is the only building constructed during the Ming dynasty.
The three-bay wide main temple gate has a hip-and-gable roof covered with yellow glazed tiles. It has a central ogee arch doorway. The five-by-three bay Great Hero Hall has a hip roof supported by bracket sets and covered in gray tiles framed by yellow glazed tiles. There is a wide platform in front of the building. According to the records, the murals in the Great Hero Hall were completed in 1443. There were 15 artists involved, including imperial artists Wan Fuqing and Wang Shu, and civilian painters Zhang Ping and Wang Yi. Even though some murals have been damaged or are discolored, they still display superlative artistry.
A Surangama Sutra Pillar erected in 1444 stands on the west side of the temple. Other artifacts include ritual instruments from the Ming dynasty, as well as a 2 m bell dating back to the founding of the temple. The waist of the bell is engraved with Buddhist scriptures, while the crown is shaped like a dragon.