Sichuan Tourism | Let’s get straight to the point and visit the first temple – Baoguo Temple in Mount Emei.
| Let’s get right to the point: Baoguo Temple in Mount Emei. In Emeishan City, Sichuan Province, under the Fenghuang Ping at the foot of Emei Mountain, stands an ancient temple with a long history - Baoguo Temple. As one of the eight key temples in Mount Emei, Baoguo Temple is not only the largest temple in the mountain, but also the only place for tourists to enter Mount Emei, carrying a profound religious and cultural heritage.
Baoguo Temple was first built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1619, some say 1620). It was originally named Huizong Hall, which means Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and other three religions. In the early Qing Dynasty, the temple was moved to its current location and rebuilt in the ninth year of Shunzhi (1652). In the 42nd year of Kangxi (1703), Emperor Kangxi took the meaning of "repaying the country's kindness" from the Buddhist scripture "Four Graces and Four Repayments" and gave it a plaque called "Baoguo Temple". From then on, the temple became famous and became one of the key temples in the country.
Baoguo Temple covers an area of 40,000 square meters, facing west to east, with Phoenix Castle in front, Fenghuang Ping in the back, Fenghuang Lake on the left, and Wind Pavilion on the right. It has a quiet environment and lush trees. When you step into Baoguo Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is the Shanmen Hall, which is magnificent and impressive. It has triple eaves with upturned corners, is covered with gray tiles, and has four gold-lettered plaques hanging on the lintel. The plaque of "Baoguo Temple" is hung on the middle door, and there is a plaque of "Puzhao Zen Forest" behind it. On the left door is the inscription "Pull Light", and on the right door is "Crane in the Cloud Returns", which highlights the integration of Buddhism and Taoism. .
On the central axis of Baoguo Temple, there are Shanmen Hall, Maitreya Hall, Main Hall, Seven Buddha Hall, Samantabhadra Hall and other buildings. Each hall is solemn and solemn, and the Buddha statues are exquisitely and vividly carved, and are deeply worshiped by believers. Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the Maitreya Hall, smiling to welcome worshipers from all directions; Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined in the Mahavira Hall, with Manjushri Bodhisattva and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on both sides; the Seven Buddhas Hall is enshrined in the Seven Buddha Hall, with a solemn expression and Buddha light shining everywhere; The Xian Hall is dedicated to the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva riding a six-tusked white elephant. He is compassionate and exudes auspicious light.
Baoguo Temple is not only a magnificent building, but also contains many precious cultural relics. The large porcelain Buddha statues of the Ming Dynasty, the Huayan Bronze Pagoda, and the Jiajing Bronze Bells housed in the temple are the "Three Treasures" of the temple. The large porcelain Buddha statue in the Seven Buddha Hall is 2.4 meters high. It has a plump figure and a dignified expression, embodying the Buddhist thought of "One flower, one world, one thousand leaves, one thousand Tathagatas." In addition, Baoguo Temple also houses authentic works by Huang Tingjian and other famous writers, such as four wooden panels of the "Seven Buddhas" written by Huang Tingjian, a great writer of the Northern Song Dynasty, which show extremely high cultural value.
Baoguo Temple is not only a holy place for Buddhist believers, but also an excellent place for tourists to experience Buddhist culture. Here, tourists can stroll around the temple and feel the tranquility among the pavilions and waterside pavilions; they can visit the chanting hall and learn the wisdom of Buddhism; and they can also listen to the melodious bells to purify their souls. Especially on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Baoguo Temple holds a traditional Buddha bathing ceremony. Tens of thousands of people come to worship, making it very lively. This scene has lasted for hundreds of years, showing the profound religious and cultural heritage of Baoguo Temple.
Baoguo Temple is not only a temple, but also the center of Buddhist culture in Mount Emei. It has witnessed the vicissitudes of Mount Emei for more than 400 years, and carries the piety and admiration of countless believers and tourists. Here, people can feel the richness of history and the charm of culture, and find the home and tranquility of the soul.