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Datong Huayan Temple

Introducing Datong Huayan Temple
The Chinese term “Huayan” means “Flower Garland” and comes from the Avatamsaka Sutra, an Indian Sanskrit text also called Flower Garland Sutra. Huayan Buddhism became influential in China for a relatively brief period – from the sixth to ninth century. It flourished during the Tang dynasty between 618 and 907, gradually died out after the Tang dynasty; however, Huayan texts continue to be studied and have been particularly influential on Chan Buddhism. Datong's Huayan Temple dates from the Liao and Jin dynasties (the 11th and 12th centuries AD). The temple was separated into an upper and lower temple in the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago and then rejoined in 1963, the lower temple houses the Sutra Hall which was built in 1038, while the Mahavira Hall built in 1062 is on the upper temple. The Smiling Bodhisattva in the Sutra Hall has been widely adopted as the symbol of Datong, not least because of her appealing smile with its parted lips and visible teeth.

Datong Huayan Temple Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Hua Yan Si 华严寺
• Best Time to Visit: May, Jun, Sept & Oct
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 hours
• Things to Do: Buddhist culture, tradtional Chinese architecture
• Opening Hours: 08:30 to 17:30 from Apr to Oct; 08:30 to 17:00 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: CNY 80; free for children under 1.2m (3.9ft).
• Address: No. 459, Xiasipo Street, Pingcheng District, Datong

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Why visit Datong Huayan Temple
The Mahavira Hall of Huayan Temple was founded in year 1062 in Liao Dynasty and re-constructed in 1140 during Jin Dynasty at the old site of the temple. This hall is one of the largest Liao and Jin Temple Hall presently existing in China. The Sutra Hall was established in 1038, under the Liao dynasty (907–1125). The Mahavira Hall and Sutra Hall still preserve the architectural style of the Liao and Jin dynasties (907–1234). It is an artistic complex of ancient Chinese architecture, sculpture, frescoes and inscriptions, as well as a cultural synthesis of religion and politics.

What to expect at Datong Huayan Temple
The name of Huayan derives from Avatamsaka Sutra, which more commonly known as Huayan Sutra in China. There are more than 30 structures distributed along its north-south main axes including Temple Gate (Hall of Heavenly Kings), Universal Light Hall, Mahavira Hall, Sutra Hall and Huayan Pagoda. Besides the two main halls (Mahavira Hall & Sutra Hall) which are the original Liao and Jin structures, many of its buildings were restored in the Qing Dynasty. The smiling Bodhisattva in the Sutra Hall has been widely adopted as the symbol of Datong, not least because of her appealing smile with its parted lips and visible teeth. The slender, 2m (6.5ft) tall figure is praised as "particularly beautiful... a masterpiece of sculpture."

 



The Universal Light Hall
Hall of Universal Light is derived from Avatamsaka Sutra as a venue where Buddha conducted the sermons of Avatamsaka Sutra. At seven bays across by six bays deep, the Universal Light Hall is a structure with double eave hip-and-gable roof. The Three Worthies of Huayan, a triad venerated by the Huayan School of Buddhism, are enshrined here, Buddha Vairocana in the middle while Bodhisattva Manjushri on his left and Samantabhadra on his right. The Huayan school of Buddhism is a tradition of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy that first flourished in China during the Tang dynasty. The Huayan worldview is based primarily on the Avatamsaka Sutra. The Avataṃsaka Sūtra describes a view of the universe (the dharmadhatu) as seen by a Buddha, Vairocana, who sees all phenomena as empty and thus infinitely interpenetrating, a cosmos of infinite realms upon realms, mutually containing one another. Vairocana, known as ‘the Brilliant One’ who emanates radiant light, is considered to be the primordial Buddha, the ground of being itself and the matrix from which all phenomena emerge. The murals at the surrounding walls, illustrated the main protagonist in the last and longest chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra where the Youth Sudhana visited and studied with fifty three spiritual advisers to seek enlightenment.

 

 


Mahavira Hall
The hip-roofed Mahavira Hall was built in 1062 AD during the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), and renovated in 1140 during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). Its structural frame is Liao, while some of the bracketing and roof frame seems to be Jin. At nine bays across by five bays deep (54m x 28m, or 177ft x 92ft) it is the largest wooden hall in China before the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). On each end of the main ridge is giant Chiwen, a legendary animal with a dragon head and fish tail with colorful glaze and vivid style. Chiwen were built up with 8 pieces of colored glazed tiles and measured 4.5 meter in height to protect the building against fire. There are only two of them but in different style as one was the original piece from Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and the other was replaced in Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The northern piece though had been existed for more than 800 years, looks vivid with no color faded. Shakyamuni, the hall's central Buddha, is seated on a tall throne. The statue is made of gilded and painted wood. He is surrounded by the Five Directional Buddhas named Akshobhya (East), Ratnasambhava (South), Amitabha (West), and Amoghasiddhi (North). A smaller, unidentified Buddha stands below and in front of Shakyamuni's throne. The Five Directional Buddhas were carved in the Xuande period (1426–1435) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The 20 Protector Deities sculpted in various postures with lifelike expressions were also the representative Ming's relics. Stretching all over its 6.4 meter high surrounding walls are large area of murals depicting the Buddhist legends. It was done during the reign of Emperor Guanshu in Qing Dynasty (1871-1908). Mahavira Hall of Chinese Buddhist temples are usually facing south; however, the Mahavira Hall of Huayan Temple is unusually oriented toward the east, an anomaly that may be explained by its former service as a Liao Dynasty ancestral temple.

 

 


Huayan Pagoda
Huayan Pagoda was built to become the second wooden pagoda after the 1000 year old Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County that had survived through the ages for nearly 10 centuries. It is 43.5 meter high and square in shape. The Thousand Buddhas Palace under Huayan Pagoda was built out from 100 tons of pure copper. The 500 sq. meter palace enshrines a Buddha's relic and a thousand copper Buddhist images. It is a perfect combination of modernity and tradition.

 


The Sutra Hall
The Sutra Hall was established in 1038 during the Liao dynasty (907–1125). It is five bayss wide, four rooms deep with single eave gable and hip roofs. A total of 29 Statues of Buddhist deities are enshrined in the hall, including Sakyamuni, Dīpankara Buddha, Maitreya, Guanyin, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Ksitigarbha. The arrangement of images symbolized the scene when Buddha delivered summons on Avatamsaka Sutra. The Sutra Hall is the temple's library. It houses 38 sutra cabinets that are constructed like miniature buildings of the period. A set of Chinese Buddhist canon which were printed in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) are preserved in the hall. The Smiling Bodhisattva with palms together and mouth slightly open with exposing of teeth had been highly commended and honored as An Oriental Venus and a masterpiece of sculpture. These clay sculpted Buddhist images are incredible piece of work from Liao Dynasty (916-1125), lifelike, prestige and fine.

 

 


How to get to Datong Huayan Temple
• Huayan Temple is located inside the newly built Datong City Wall.
• Take No. 15, 4 or 30 bus, get off at Weidudadao Qingyuanjieku Station, head east for several minutes.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Datong to Huayan Temple.

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