Dingguang Temple: A Thousand-Year-Old Temple

Dingguang Temple in Fuzhou, also known as Dingguang Pagoda Temple or commonly as White Pagoda Temple, is one of Fuzhou's famous temples and a provincial-level cultural relic protection site. Originally built in 905 AD during the Later Tang Dynasty by Wang Shenzhi, the King of Minyue, the temple includes the White Pagoda (also known as the Bao'en Dingguang Duobao Pagoda), a renowned Fuzhou landmark. The Vairocana Hall is the temple's grandest structure. Its elegant, curved roof ridge is inscribed with "Buddha's Light Increases, Dharma Wheel Constantly Turns," and features flying dragons at each end flanking a large orb. With its double-eaved roof, surrounding corridors, inscribed pillars, and antique octagonal palace lanterns, the hall evokes both a solemn Buddhist sanctuary and a lavish palace. Inside, the layout is meticulously arranged. Vairocana Buddha sits at the center on a large lotus throne, hands in a mudra, a smile gracing his face. To his left is Manjushri Bodhisattva, riding a blue lion and holding a wisdom sword, and to his right is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, holding a ruyi scepter and riding a six-tusked white elephant. Further inside, Amitabha Buddha and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha are enshrined on either side. With both the Buddhas of the Three Worlds and the Three Sages of the Flower Garland Sutra represented, the hall is truly comprehensive. Bowing before these exquisite Buddha statues brings a sense of peace, clarity, and belonging.