Temples especially the Buddhist temples are the treasured part of Chinese art, and to a most degree it is the symbol of Chinese long history and splendid culture. Extensively speaking, temples are not only associated with Buddhism, because initially in Qin Dynasty, the official’s mansions used to be called Temple, and in Tang and Song Dynasties, some government sectors were also called Temples like Dalisi(Dali Temple) which were served as The Court of Judicature and Revision. Besides the architecture of Buddhism is not only exclusively called Temple, and it was also named differently in different areas and dynasties. But later, as time went, Temple was exclusively used for Chinese Buddhist architecture. Actually, Temple was the respectful appellation used by commoners when Buddhism entered China. Also there was another form of temple called Nunnery which is only used for nun.

Four Taboos for Temple Visit:
1. Inappropriate Appellation. The monks of the temples should be called Da Shi(大师)or Fa Shi(法师). The governor of the temples should be called Zhang Lao(长老), Fang Zhang(方丈) or Chan Shi(禅师). The Lamas in Lamasery should be Lama, which means the superior or high-level master.
2. Improper Etiquette. Having a meet with monks, visitor had better bow a little and lower the head slightly. Never handshaking or hugging with monks, let alone touch the head of monks.
3. Unwelcome Words. Talking with monks, please don’t mention the words connected with killing, hurting and wedding, and try to avoid mouth the words of meat, because these words are the forbidden objects in sutra.
4. Offensive Behaviors. When visiting the temples, don’t speak aloud, discuss free, satirize unreasonably and walk incautiously. Visitors can not touch the objects in temples. Visitors never touch the Buddha statues and remember that in temple take photos are disallowed. If some Buddhist ceremonies are met, visitors had better keep silent and go quietly. In the meantime, please take notice of the children to avoid the unhappy things caused by children’s innocence.

Shaolin Temple

If you are extremely crazy about Chinese Kungfu, Shaolin Kungfu will be always your top selection for exercising. Shaolin temple is famous for its central level of Buddhism and more famous for its Kungfu and its life and natural philosophy released in daily body and mental exercise. Monks in Shaolin Temple master Kungfu for bodybuilding, temple protection and even state defensive…

Lingyin Temple

The Lingyin Temple (literally “Temple of Soul’s Retreat”) stands between the Peaks of Feilai and Beigao at the northwest of the West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou. Lingyin is one of the famous Buddhist temples in the Yangtze River Delta Region and it is praised for its surrounding tranquil environment. The history of Lingyin Temple can be traced back to about 1600 years ago. At that time…

Hanshan Temple (Cold Mountain Temple)

It is quite strange to hear that a Buddhist temple called Cold Mountain. During the reign of Zhenguan Emperor (627 – 648) of China’s Tang Dynasty, two young men, Hanshan (literally cold mountain) and Shide, had been very good friends since they were small. One day when Hanshan was grown up, his parents arranged him to marry a girl. However, the girl had fallen in love with Shide…

Xuankong Temple (Hanging Temple) is the only domestic temple featured by Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. It was built on cliffs. Originally it was built in later period of North Wei Dynasty. So far, it has more than 1400 years of history. It is also named as Hangjing Temple just like the temple in the sky because it is located on the steep cliff and faces the deep valleys. It has the unique structure and decorations…

White Horse Temple (Baima Temple)

The White Horse Temple (Baima Temple) is located 10km to the north of Luoyang in Henan Province. It is said, in the year of King Yongping of Eastern Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD), the king sent monks Cai Yin and Cai Jing to India to ask for scriptures of Buddhism. Three years later, they got the scriptures and returned to China…

Famen Temple

Legend has it that in 147 AD King Asoka of India traveled throughout Asia, distributing Buddhist relics as atonement for his sins and war like attitude. In China, he built this Temple and left the fingers of Buddha to be enshrined here. Tang Dynasty Emperors revered this sacred relic and regularly walked through the streets with the fingers followed…

Tanzhe Temple 

The town is famous for its long-standing Tanzhe Temple. Tanzhe Temple is located in the southeast of Mentougou district of Beijing, at the foot of Baozhu Mountain. It is so named because a deep pool called Longtan is behind the temple and a tree named Zhi is in front of the temple…

Wuta Temple(Five-Pagoda Temple)   

Five Pagoda Temple is located in Haidian District of Beijing. It was established in the reign of Emperor Zhu Di of Ming Dynasty. There are five small stone pagodas built in 1473. According to the historical record, during the early period of reign of Emperor Zhu Di…

 

Yufo Temple (Jade Buddha Temple)

Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1918, and located in the north of Anyuan Road and Jiangling Road. It is a building following the architectural style of Song Dynasty with a precise layout and harmonious structure. There are Heavenly-king Hall, Great Hall and Jade-Buddha Hall on the axes. On the first day and the fifteenth day per month or some traditional festivals connected with Buddhism, female and male believers are used to gathering here to pray for happiness and Buddha’s blessing…

Jiming Temple(Cockcrow Monastery)

It is one of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Nanjing city. Cockcrow Monastery on the eastern foot of Jilong Mountain (Chicken Cage Mountain), the famous Jihua Mountain (九华山, one of the four Buddhist mountains in China) and Xuanwu Lake (玄武湖) is to the east and to the north of respectively. As early as 300 AD, religious establishments had been set up. About 200 years later, Tongtai Buddhist Monastery was built. It was the center of Buddhism of southern China…