Jiming Temple, located in Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, is a Buddhist temple with a long history. The temple was built in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and has a history of more than 1,500 years. It is one of the key cultural relics protection units in Hangzhou. This article will introduce you to the history, architecture and culture of Jiming Temple.

1. History

The history of Jiming Temple can be traced back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties, when it was a wilderness without any buildings. According to legend, Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties once heard a rooster crow here, so he ordered a temple to be built here to commemorate the rooster. Therefore, this temple was named Jiming Temple.

During the Tang Dynasty, Jiming Temple was one of the centers of Buddhism in Hangzhou. There were buildings such as a lecture building and a scripture collection building in the temple. Jiming Temple was very large during the Tang Dynasty, but it suffered serious damage during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms periods. During the Song Dynasty, Jiming Temple was rebuilt and the buildings in the temple were expanded and renovated. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Jiming Temple once again underwent many renovations and expansions, becoming what it is today.

2. Architecture

The architectural style of Jiming Temple is mainly based on the architecture of the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. The buildings in the temple include the Main Hall, Tianwang Hall, Guanyin Hall, Sutra Pavilion and Bell Tower. Waiting for buildings. Among them, the Main Hall is the main building of Jiming Temple and is a typical traditional Chinese building. The roof of the Main Hall is covered with yellow glazed tiles, and a row of exquisite colorful paintings hangs under the eaves. The hall enshrines Buddha statues such as Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

The Hall of Heavenly Kings is the second largest hall of Jiming Temple. The four heavenly kings are worshiped in the hall. Guanyin Hall is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva and is a favorite place for pilgrims to worship. The Sutra Pavilion is one of the important buildings of Jiming Temple. It contains a large number of Buddhist scriptures, scriptures and Buddhist historical materials. The bell tower is about 20 meters high and is one of the landmark buildings of Jiming Temple. The bell is rung every morning and evening to convey Buddhist beliefs and teachings.

3. Culture

Jiming Temple is a Buddhist temple with profound cultural heritage. The temple holds Buddhist rituals, scripture lectures and other activities all year round, attracting many believers to participate. In addition, Jiming Temple is also one of the important cultural tourism attractions in Hangzhou, with a large number of tourists visiting it every year.

At Jiming Temple, tourists can appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese architecture and feel the atmosphere of Buddhist culture. In addition, Jiming Temple is also an important cultural heritage in Hangzhou. It is a place not to be missed for those who understand Chinese traditional culture and history.

4. Conclusion

Jiming Temple is a Buddhist temple with a long history and profound cultural heritage, and is also one of the important attractions in Hangzhou. The architectural style of the temple is elegant and exquisite, and the cultural activities in the temple are rich and colorful, attracting many tourists. If you have the opportunity to come to Hangzhou, you may wish to visit Jiming Temple and feel the unique charm of this Buddhist temple.