Xichan Temple

CHINA, Fujian, Fuzhou

Located at the foot of Yishan Mountain, the Xichan Temple is considered one of the Five Major Temples of Chan Buddhism in Fuzhou. It was built in 796 during the Tang dynasty and was originally a Daoist temple. Throughout its history, the temple has flourished and declined. Based on its layout, it was first built during the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties, and was later reconstructed between 1876 and 1891 during the Qing dynasty. It was listed as a key Buddhist temple in the Han region of China in 1983.
The temple occupies 7.7 ha. The main buildings along the central axis include the Heavenly King Hall, Great Hero Hall, Dharma Hall, Avatamsaka Triad Hall, and the sutra repository. Along either side, there are around 40 buildings, including the bell and drum towers, memorial hall, chanting hall, Hall of the Five Hundred Arhats, Avalokitesvara Pavilion, Bright Distant Pavilion, meditation hall, abbot’s quarters, Jade Buddha Building, and Repaying Kindness Pagoda. There are also a few gardens such as the Free Life Garden. The newest additions to the temple are the Avatamsaka Triad Hall, Jade Buddha Building and the Repaying Kindness Pagoda. Within the Jade Buddha Building the 2.3 m high seated jade Buddha statue weighing 8 t is enshrined on the first story, while the second story houses the Reclining Buddha, which is 4 m long and weighs 10 t. The 15-story, octagonal Repaying Kindness Pagoda is 67 m high.
The temple houses a number of steles inscribed by eminent monks, the Medicine Buddha Sutra written by Emperor Kangxi (reigned 1661–1722), and a Lotus Sutra written in blood.