Chongshan Monastery, once called White Horse Monastery (白马寺
Baima Si), is located in Huangmiao Lane, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
In 1383, in memory of his mother, Zhu Gang, third son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) had the monastery rebuilt and extended, renaming it Chongshan Monastery. Construction was completed in 1391. The layout of the splendid palace-like monastery is evident from the extant Chongshan Monastery Construction Plan. Covering an area of 245 mu (40.4 acres), the Chongshan Monastery was obviously magnificent.
However, during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1856-1875) of the
Qing Dynasty, the monastery was almost reduced to ashes. Today only one-fortieth of it survives, including the Bell Tower, the Dabei Hall, and the east and west wing rooms. Local governments have restored some of its former brilliance to the monastery.
In these surviving buildings are three splendid treasures. One is the sutras. Chongshan Monastery is famous for the original edition of the sutras of the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and
Qing dynasties kept here. The oldest sutra has a history of over 1,000 years. The second treasure is the 'Gem Paintings,' copies of two frescos still retaining their bright colors after 500 years. The third treasure is three gilded
Ming Dynasty mud statues of Bodhisattvas all about 8 meters (26.2 feet) high. In the middle is Kwan-yin Goddess of Mercy, with her one thousand hands and eyes. All three statues still retain their florid colors and smooth lines, rare artworks of the
Ming Dynasty.
A Buddhist temple, Chongshan Monastery has become a key cultural relic under the protection of Shanxi Province and home to the Buddhist Association of Shanxi Province. The precious sutra and Taoist scriptures are not only examples of Chinese woodblock printing history, but of ancient Chinese calligraphy and carving arts luring accomplished monks, scholars and tourists.
Travel Tips
Add: Huangmiao Lane, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province
Entrance Fees: CNY 10
Opening Hours: :08:00-17:00
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