Fayuan Temple

An ancient temple hidden in the alley, with pleasant fragrance of flowers.



Fayuan Temple, also known as Minzhong Temple, is hidden in a small alley.



Just when the lilac flowers were in bloom, I found him in the alley. His main gate was locked, and there was only a small door on the side for people to pass through. The temple gate was very small and could only accommodate one person.



There are two drum towers on both sides of the road paved with bluestone. Although I don't know much about architecture, I still feel that the drum towers are exquisite and ingenious. The pine and cypress trees tightly wrap the entire temple, and there is an incense burner in the middle. Looking forward, the Heavenly King Hall just stands there. For some reason, no part of the temple is open, but fortunately when I went there, the temple people were doing evening classes, so I quietly looked and listened to the chanting and the sound of wooden fish.



As the evening bell rang, monks in robes entered the Main Hall one after another. Devout believers stood on both sides outside the Main Hall, clasped their hands together, and chanted "Amitabha".



Because I was far away, I couldn't see it clearly. I only heard the chanting sound, which was gentle at first, then gradually became rapid, gentle and powerful. The crisp sound of the wooden fish accompanied the chanting sound. I looked at the people around me carefully. They were reverently chanting Amitabha along with the chanting sound. Most people were watching quietly, without joy or extra movement. It is worth mentioning that I saw a young lady holding a notebook to write down the inscriptions on the stele, and several girls wearing Hanfu taking pictures in the lilac.



The temple is full of lilac flowers and pine and cypress trees.



The century-old pines and cypresses with thick and lush branches grow at the entrance of the temple like guardians of the law. The fresh lilacs emitting a faint fragrance are separated on both sides of the road. The monks' residences that have survived all the changes in the world add a lot of splendor to the small temple.



If you stand in the center, you will see many people like me, standing in groups or alone under the lilac trees, smelling the fragrance of flowers and using cameras to record the breath of spring in their lives.



Walking through the temple filled with lilac, the faint fragrance of flowers fills your nostrils, making you feel much more refreshed.



New green leaves accompanied by four- or three-petal heart-shaped flowers are dotted on the green branches. Couples sit side by side under the tree and whisper to each other. A family of three holds their child in their arms and teases the calico cat in the temple. The calico cat walks with great vigor, just like a tiger in the forest.



When the wind blows, petals of the flowers scatter gently.



In the gloomy weather, there are occasional gusts of cold wind, which sway the lilac flowers. The wind gently carries away a few lilac leaves and quietly places them on the ground, and then stirs the branches that have not yet bloomed. Sometimes, sunshine shines through the gaps in the lilac flowers, projecting on everyone and hitting the ground. The long-lost warmth makes people happy.



Many times, we have to find something to calm us down, it may be an object, a scene or a person... No matter what it is, it must be the most important thing to us.

Fayuan Temple is located on the east side of the southern end of Jiaozi Hutong outside Xuanwumen in Beijing. It is not only the oldest existing ancient temple in Beijing, but also the location of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the Chinese Buddhist Library and Cultural Relics Museum. It is an important place for training young monks and studying Buddhist culture.

Built in the Tang Dynasty, it is one of the oldest temples in Beijing and the best preserved ancient temple in the city. The temple is located in an alley near Niujie Street. The Buddhist temple is not very large.

In April, if you can arrive at Fayuan Temple at 6 am, you can attend the morning class; if you can't, it doesn't matter. The temple is filled with the fragrance of lilac, and there is a rare tranquility between the light and shadow.

Fayuan Temple is hidden in an alley near Niujie Street.

The temple is not very big, and there is a master guarding it so I can't take pictures.

I saw a post online about photos taken inside the Fayuan Temple, so I asked the poster if it was okay to take photos inside the temple. He said yes, so I came here. Actually, taking photos inside the temple was not allowed, so I got cheated.

Every April, when the lilac flowers in Fayuan Temple bloom, there are many tourists.

The ancient temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. It is the location of the Chinese Buddhist Academy. The temple is surrounded by old alleys with a quiet environment. In the autumn afternoon, the cats either lazily sleep in the sun or sleep in front of the threshold of the temple. The temple has few tourists, but it is the most ideal place to explore Buddhist culture in Beijing.

I have watched the drama "Beijing Fayuan Temple" several times before. This time, I stayed near Taoranting Pavilion and took a walk here in the morning. Wonderful.

Living in seclusion in the city, giving advice to the loyal



Fayuan Temple, formerly known as Minzhong Temple, was built in the Tang Dynasty. It is one of the oldest temples in Beijing and the most well-preserved ancient temple in the city. The building is large in scale, exuding simplicity and elegance.



In the 12th year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign (1734), the temple was designated as a Vinaya school temple to teach precepts and was officially renamed "Fayuan Temple". In 1956, the Chinese Buddhist Academy was established in the temple, which is now a religious museum.



From south to north, there are the mountain gate, bell and drum tower, Heavenly King Hall, Main Hall, Minzhongtai, Jingye Hall, Wuliang Hall, Dabei Altar, Sutra Repository, Dabianjue Hall, east and west corridors, etc., a total of seven entrances and six courtyards.



The temple now houses the Three Saints of Huayan, Budai Monk, Guanyin, and the Eighteen Arhats, which are quite unique. The large stone bowl in front of the Jingye Hall is even more exquisite. The Sutra Library also preserves various versions of Buddhist scriptures.



The four major flower events in Beijing are the magnolias in Dajue Temple, the crabapples in Prince Gong's Mansion, the lilacs in Fayuan Temple, and the peonies in Chongxiao Temple. Most of the lilacs in Fayuan Temple were planted during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and it became a famous temple.



In 2000, after the publication of "Beijing Fayuan Temple", a work by the famous Taiwanese writer Li Ao, it was widely circulated at home and abroad, making Fayuan Temple famous and attracting countless believers and tourists looking for ancient relics.

I didn't ask for a ticket. There was a Dharma assembly going on inside today, so I left on my own accord.

In old Beijing, there was a saying that "the lilac of Minzhong Temple (Fayuan Temple), the peony of Chongxiao Temple, the crabapple of Jile Temple, and the peony of Tianning Temple". Today, of the four major flower events in the capital, only the lilac of Fayuan Temple remains. Fayuan Temple is hidden in the east side of the southern end of Jiaozi Hutong outside Xuanwumen, and is the oldest existing ancient temple in Beijing. In early spring in April, go to Fayuan Temple, the lilac flowers are in full bloom, shading the red walls and green tiles of the ancient temple, fresh and elegant, with its own style; the subtle fragrance is refreshing, and you will understand that the "fragrant temple" and "temple of flowers" are well-deserved. Lilac is often called "the flower of a hundred knots" in poems. Buddhists often use lilac knots to allude to their own knots. Going to a place specifically to appreciate a kind of flower seems to be a complex for many people for many years, and it is also a unique memory of spring.

Fayuan Temple is also the location of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the Chinese Buddhist Library and Cultural Relics Museum. There are more than 100 monks in the small temple, which is small but has great magical powers.

Emperor Taizong of Tang ordered its construction 1,400 years ago; Emperor Qinzong of Song was imprisoned here 900 years ago; Emperor Yongle built the Imperial Garden based on it 600 years ago; the coffins of the Six Gentlemen of the Wuxu Reform were laid here 100 years ago; poets after Kangxi and Qianlong, such as Lin Zexu, Ji Xiaolan, and Gong Zizhen, all left their footprints and poems here; in 1924, Xu Zhimo also accompanied Tagore to the temple to appreciate the lilac. To this day, poetry and writing sessions are still held every year when the lilac flowers bloom. As the highest institution of Buddhist learning in China, Fayuan Temple has washed away the dust of the world for thousands of years, leaving only the fragrance.

Every palace, every building, every brick, every stone, every blade of grass and every tree appear ancient and profound, and all are engraved with deep rings of history.

Its predecessor was the Minzhong Temple built in the Tang Dynasty. In 1956, the Chinese Buddhist Academy was established here. There are many ancient Buddha statues enshrined in it, including the seated Buddha statue of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Guanyin statue holding a child. It has a long history and is much quieter than other temples in Beijing that are very popular. Take three incense sticks, worship the Buddha, pray and make wishes in this quiet and pleasant environment, and stroll among the ancient trees and Buddhist temples. You will feel particularly peaceful and calm. There are two or three kittens, young monks doing morning classes early in the morning, and aunties who come to chant scriptures and pray. Watching the ancient Buddha statues and Buddhist antiquities gives you a different feeling, and your heart seems to be cleansed. This is the most peaceful scene in the old Beijing in the past few days. It is recommended to visit the Buddhist temple when you come to Beijing.

This famous temple is hidden in the alley, not far from Niujie. I followed the navigation after getting out of the subway and it took me two turns to find it.

2018.6.2

Hidden away in the city, it is quiet and simple, and many Buddhists live here. You can sit in front of or behind the temples to watch the cats and enjoy the quiet time. A good place to meditate.

There is a huge stone bowl in front of the Jingye Hall, with a double-layer stone base. It is surrounded by carvings of sea water patterns and images of mountain dragons, seahorses and eight treasures. The carvings are extremely exquisite and can be compared with the Dushan Jade Sea in Tuancheng, Beihai.

Fayuan Temple also houses many valuable Buddhist books and artworks, especially the Buddhist scriptures displayed in the Great Compassion Altar, which are numerous and precious. The Great Compassion Altar is a Buddhist cultural relic palace, where Buddhist statues, stone carvings and art treasures from past dynasties are displayed. Since taking photos is not allowed, you can only go there in person to see it in person!

The place is hard to find. I didn't come here because of its reputation, but just to make a wish. It was raining today, so it was especially quiet. No entrance fee was charged, which was a good deed. There were many people chanting and practicing. Coming here, you can be isolated from the world and feel pure physically and mentally.

The entrance fee to Fayuan Temple is free. The garden is medium in size, with no security check. You can get three incense sticks for free. The recommended visiting time is one hour.

The gate of Fayuan Temple is still majestic. I am ready to pay 5 yuan for the ticket.

Tickets have been free since the first day of the Lunar New Year. I haven't been here for a long time... I remember the auntie buying tickets at this window chatting happily with the grandma under the window (the grandma chatting under the window had moved to the entrance because of free tickets and gathered with many other people in similar situations). Now the ticket office is empty, and I'm still a little uncomfortable.

The inscriptions on the Fayuan Temple usually record something like "There was originally a Minzhong Temple in Xuanwu, southwest of Beijing. Later it became the Fayuan Temple." Some of them will tell stories about the abbot and the reconstruction of the Fayuan Temple. The contents are generally similar.

You will never regret visiting the historic Fayuan Temple. Just by sitting inside, you can feel the tranquility of Buddha's wisdom. Even if you just waste your time sitting inside, you will still gain a lot.

A quiet temple with few tourists. It is a delight to have such a place in such a big city.

Li Ao is gone, but the Beijing Fayuan Temple he wrote about is still here

Moreover, the lilac flowers in the temple are blooming again.

In the Zen temple with red walls and green tiles and lingering smoke

The front and back yards are full of lilac or white lilacs

A place full of Zen, history and stories

The temple is not big, but it is very popular. It is a temple with a long history. In spring, the lilac flowers are very beautiful. Many people come here to admire the beauty. There are also many ancient trees. There are also ceremonies on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

In April, the lilac flowers in Fayuan Temple bloomed, and the fragrance was strong. I occasionally met a girl wearing Hanfu taking photos. At 4:30, the monks chanted sutras and turned the Buddha statue. The clingy cats were the subject of tourists' photos. I will go there every April from now on.

A Buddhist place in the bustling city, a quiet place in the hustle and bustle.

I just went to Fayuan Temple yesterday and found that the opening hours and ticket information above are incorrect. I hope you can verify and change them.

The first temple in the capital, although inconspicuous, it is definitely a Buddhist pure land. Only here can you feel the true Buddhism.

Fayuan Temple was built in the 19th year of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty. It is the oldest famous temple in Beijing with a history of more than 1,400 years.

After the Six Gentlemen of the Reform Movement of 1898, led by Tan Sitong, were killed, their bodies were kept in Fayuan Temple. Li Ao wrote a book about this, Fayuan Temple in Beijing. I have wanted to visit Fayuan Temple for a long time, and this year is the Year of the Dog, so I must make it a trip.

Follow the back street of Fayuan Temple to Fayuan Temple. The sun is bright and the light spots can be clearly seen under the camera. There are few people in Fayuan Temple, so it is very quiet and you can take your time to explore.

There are many cats in Fayuan Temple, and the locals respectfully call them "cat masters". There are believers in the temple who take care of these "masters".

Take a walk and you will find the ancient charm and history that can be seen.

The golden censer suddenly turned cold, and the bells and chimes fell silent.

The flowers in the Zen forest fade, and the Prajna boat sinks.

I was surprised to hear that the Honorary President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, the abbot of Beijing Fayuan Temple, Elder Yicheng, had completed his hidden shadow in the Twin Forests and his worldly ties were over. All his works were completed at 1:37 a.m. on the fourth day of the eleventh month of the year Dingyou, and he passed away peacefully in Yunju Mountain and entered Nirvana. He was 91 years old, 68 years of monkhood, and 61 years of precepts. The elder was named Yicheng, with the courtesy name Yanzong, and also the name Changmiao. The elder had deep roots of goodness since childhood and hated meat and was a vegetarian. He converted to the Three Treasures and practiced the method of chanting Buddha's name in his early years. He left the world at the age of 26 and later became a perfect monk under the seat of Elder Xuyun of Nanhua Temple, and received the lineage of Xu Lao Weiyang and Linji. In 1985, he was honored as the abbot of Zhenru Zen Temple and rebuilt the ancestral temple. The elder has served as the president of the Jiangxi Buddhist Association, a member of the Jiangxi Provincial CPPCC, a member of the Jiujiang Municipal CPPCC, the president of the Jiangxi Buddhist College, the abbot of Yunju Mountain Zhenru Temple, the abbot of Hunan Xixin Zen Temple, the vice president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, the president of the Chinese Buddhist College, and the president of the Chinese Buddhist Association. He is currently the honorary president of the Buddhist Association of China, the abbot of Beijing Fayuan Temple and Baofeng Zen Temple. The elder has been compassionate, wise, and accomplished throughout his life. He has taken spreading Buddhism as his mission and benefiting sentient beings as his career. He loves his country and religion, and enjoys a very high reputation at home and abroad, and is deeply respected by people from all walks of life inside and outside the religion.

I only hope that the elder will not abandon sentient beings, and will soon return to the Saha world to continue the Dharma feast.

To express my grief, I wrote this couplet to express my condolences, praying that Elder Lian will ascend to the highest level and attain great freedom!

[A monk who has practiced Buddhism and farming for a lifetime and whose virtues spread far and wide]

【Sincerely preach the Dharma, compassion and wisdom, and the bodhisattva’s spirit and broad mind】

today

Sunny

The breeze is just right

I like the name Baizhifang

I saw an old man running across the street when the traffic light was red

The passing vehicles rushed forward like ferocious monsters

I saw the old, run-down house.

Peeling wall and broken bricks

I walked in the old alleys of Beijing

Imagine the prosperity of China's 5,000 years of history

An old man passing by a stall selling incense sticks

An old woman begging at the door

Finally arrived at the destination of this trip

——Fayuan Temple

I walked on a stone road covered with bird shit

Take off your headphones and listen carefully to the clear bird calls

Suddenly I looked up and found the Heavenly King Palace was right in front of me.

Then he tiptoed in

I walked to an open space where the sun could shine.

Type these words carefully

At this moment, a cat came quietly to my side.

I meowed at it

It meows at me too.

Enter the main hall from the side door

I smelled the smoke from the incense burned by tourists.

In the main hall there are pious people reciting the Book of Songs and praying for blessings.

The wind blows

The wind chimes hanging on the branches make crisp sounds.

Seems to welcome my arrival

I walked around the temple roughly.

Feel the quietness in the bustling city

The monk who has seen life

I have seen the majestic palace

See many Buddha statues

at this time

Marvel at ancient history and culture

Beijing Fayuan Temple is worth a visit as it is the location of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the Chinese Buddhist Library and Cultural Relics Museum. There are many religious relics worth seeing. Although photography is not allowed in the temple, it is still nice to feast your eyes.

I have been to Fayuan Temple twice, and I feel a sense of peace every time I go.

The temple in the alley is quiet in the midst of the hustle and bustle. The five-yuan ticket is better than nothing. There are always beggars at the door.

The monks in the temple live like ordinary people and shop on Taobao. The cats in the temple are common to tourists. Walk slowly, every corner of the temple is beautiful. Quiet, this is the most perfect.

A quiet little temple, quiet in a busy city, near Caishikou subway station in a small alley, not easy to find, with many cats, mosquitoes and monks. Don't trust beggars or turtle sellers at the door

If I didn't have to work overtime, I would probably sit in there for a whole day with a book.

I took the bus from the Temple of Heaven to Beijing Fayuan Temple, a place I would never visit in Beijing. Because of Li Ao's "Beijing Fayuan Temple", I have always been nostalgic for this place, and this time I also realized a small wish.

There are so many stories on the stage of history. It was so quiet that day. There were almost no tourists. They were all Buddhist believers. Some talked about life with the masters in the temple. It was peaceful and leisurely! We didn't want to leave. The quietness here made me feel comfortable and calm. I didn't even want to go to the big attraction of Prince Gong's Mansion.

Fayuan Temple is the oldest temple in Beijing. It was built in the Tang Dynasty. The current Tang Dynasty components are in the Guanyin Hall.

Fayuan Temple is located in Niujie. It is not easy to find, but there are very few people. It is a very quiet temple. It feels like the temple is hidden in the trees.

The Buddhist scriptures inside are very famous but unfortunately not open to the public.

The ticket is five yuan, which is better than nothing.

The sculptures and murals in the halls are very beautiful. There are people practicing in every hall, and they look very pious.

The Buddha statues in the last hall are particularly beautiful, complex yet not cluttered.

In fact, the fame of Fayuan Temple is also related to Li Ao's book. I remember that I particularly liked "Beijing Fayuan Temple" at that time, and I also admired Tan Sitong's spirit.

"No faith, no Zen" - Fayuan Temple

I met a cat in the temple, and my thoughts at that time...

Standing in the light

It's like a born loner

Use pride to deal with the spotlight around you

When the camera is removed

I just saw the broken front paw.

Bitten ears that cannot be licked

Limping down the high stairs

Drinking dirty water from the gutter

This is your life

May you be alone

There are people walking with you.

Formerly known as Minzhong Temple, it was built during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, in 645 AD to comfort the soldiers who died in the battle of Liaodong following Li Shimin. It was completed during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, taking 51 years to complete.

It can be said to be one of the earliest Martyrs' Shrines in China. Li Ao's novel "Beijing Fayuan Temple" is set at this location.

It's quiet in a busy place, nice. The beggars at the ticket office are very dedicated.

An unexpected trip before the long holiday. A very quiet place

Fayuan Temple is located on the east side of the southern end of Jiaozi Hutong outside Xuanwumen in Beijing. It was built in the 19th year of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty (645 AD) and is the oldest famous temple in Beijing. It was called Minzhong Temple in Tang Dynasty and was rebuilt and renamed in the Yongzheng period of Qing Dynasty. In 1956, the Chinese Buddhist Academy was established in the temple, and in 1980, the Chinese Buddhist Library and Cultural Relics Museum was established in the temple. It is a religious museum affiliated to the Buddhist Association of China.

This is a very old temple with a large golden stone at the entrance and many fat cats inside. You can go and see it if you wander around the alleys around Caishikou.

It is the oldest existing temple in Beijing. It was first built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. It was called Minzhong Temple in the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, mourned the fallen soldiers in the northern expedition to Liaodong and issued an imperial decree to build a temple here to commemorate them. Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Huan, was captured by the Jin army and taken north, and was also imprisoned here. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong, impressed by the long history of Fayuan Temple, wrote a poem in the temple: "The oldest temple in Yanjing, it has always been called Minzhong". He also inscribed a plaque with "Fahai Zhenyuan", which still hangs high above the main hall. Tan Sitong, a famous reformer, also visited Fayuan Temple before his execution. It was rebuilt and renamed in the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. In 1965, the Chinese Buddhist Academy was established in the temple.

The TV said that there were a lot of lilac flowers in Hogenji Temple, but we didn't see any flowers on the day we went there because there was a strong wind the day before.

Unlike the noisy and incense-filled Lama Temple, Fayuan Temple seems to be a paradise in the bustling city. It is clean, quiet and a good place for meditation. A place where you can feel peaceful and quiet. Walking in it, worshiping Buddha devoutly, but still feeling uneasy in your heart, afraid of disturbing and destroying this atmosphere... Entering Fayuan Temple, one is to make a wish, hoping that one's work and relationship will go smoothly; the other is to pray for blessings, to protect oneself and family safety;

Walking out of Fayuan Temple, making wishes and praying for blessings have become less important. At this moment, spiritual purification has become particularly valuable.

Different from visiting other places, walking in Fayuan Temple is more about feeling the quietness and listening to the Zen enlightenment.

It's not big, but it has a lot of flavor and historical atmosphere.

Every April, when the lilacs are in full bloom, you must go there to smell the flowers and watch the cats playing.

Fahai's true source, lilac blossoms, meowing Buddhist chants,

It has a long history and many believers. It is really nice to have such a quiet place in the downtown area.

Fayuan Temple is located on the east side of the southern end of Jiaozi Hutong outside Xuanwumen in Beijing. It is not only an ancient temple with a long history in Beijing, but also the location of the Chinese Buddhist Academy and the Chinese Buddhist Library and Cultural Relics Museum.

Fayuan Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty and was originally named "Minzhong Temple". Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, issued an edict to build a temple here to commemorate the fallen soldiers in the northern expedition to Liaodong. Emperor Qinzong of Song, Zhao Huan, was captured by the Jin army and taken north, and was also imprisoned here. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong, impressed by the long history of Fayuan Temple, wrote a poem in the temple: "The oldest temple in Yanjing, known as Minzhong". He also inscribed a plaque with "Fahai Zhenyuan", which still hangs high above the main hall. Tan Sitong, a famous reformer, also visited Fayuan Temple before his execution.

Lilacs are planted in the front and back yards of Fayuan Temple, especially between the Main Hall and Minzhong Terrace. The varieties are rare, including purple and white lilacs, as well as lilacs grown in Maluku, Southeast Asia. The flowers have four petals, and the edges of the flowers are darker when in full bloom, with a dripping look. April to early May is the best time to see them.

The ticket to visit Fayuan Temple is 5 yuan. The bus stop is called Jiaozi Hutong. There is a small park in front of the gate. You can see the mountain gate after passing through the small park.

The best time to visit Fayuan Temple is in late spring and early summer, when the lilacs are known as the "Sea of ​​Fragrant Snow" and are once known as one of the three major flower events in the capital, along with the peonies in Chongxiao Temple and the crabapples in Prince Gong's Mansion.

There are vegetarian meals here, and the atmosphere is very religious, not commercial. The ticket is only 5 yuan. It is located in the alley in the downtown area of ​​Beijing and is the oldest temple in the city.

It is a very quiet temple, with many lay Buddhists chanting scriptures in the hall under the trees.

I never knew there was such a peaceful Buddhist place in Beijing. In Beijing, where there are royal gardens everywhere, Fayuan Temple seems a little insignificant. Fayuan Temple is hidden in the alleys near Niujie Street, and transportation is not very convenient. Get off at Caishikou on Line 4 and then transfer to the bus. It takes another five or six minutes to walk to the temple. The ticket is 5 yuan, and it is free if you have a conversion certificate. The courtyard of Fayuan Temple is not big, and it is full of lilacs. When I went there in April, the flowers were in full bloom, and the air was full of fragrance. There are not many tourists here, nor many pilgrims. But some people sit in the courtyard and chat, some kneel in front of the temple and recite scriptures, and monks walk by from time to time. When I was about to leave, I heard monks chanting scriptures, and believers standing outside the temple and singing together. Close your eyes, smell the flowers, listen to the Buddhist scriptures, and the whole person becomes quiet~~

I don't like running around between tourist attractions all day when traveling. I'd rather arrange half a day to visit places like this, see the leisure life of old Beijingers in the street park in front of the temple, and feel Beijing's thousands of years of cultural heritage in the temple. This is the right way to understand a city.

It is recommended to read Li Ao's "Beijing Fayuan Temple" before the trip.

It is not the most famous, but it is definitely worth a visit, even if it is not for Li Ao's "Beijing Fayuan Temple". It is the home of the Chinese Buddhist Academy, but it is extremely "living" and secular. What's more interesting is that not far away is Niujie, a Muslim community in Beijing, where everyone believes in Islam.

The Chinese Buddhist Academy is here. The most famous one is the lilac. When I went there, some people chanted sutras together.

Fayuan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Beijing's inner city. It is also more famous because of Li Ao's novel "Beijing Fayuan Temple". The current temples were mainly built in the Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in modern times. The building itself is not very outstanding, but there are four stone tablets on the east side of the courtyard outside the Heavenly King Hall. The Yuan Dynasty stone tablets are quite precious. The handwriting on the stone tablets is clear and powerful, which is rare in Beijing's temples. The temple is close to the Chinese Buddhist Academy. Many Buddhist graduate students will walk through it and experience the life of contemporary Buddhist practitioners.

Fayuan Temple is a temple hidden in a park. It is hard to find its traces on the road. It has a sense of "hiding in the city". Exit Caishikou subway station, walk south to the intersection and then walk west. This is the location of the Buddhist Graduate School. Every afternoon, the masters will have evening classes, and many lay disciples will chant with them. Here you can feel the real life of monks. The garden is full of lilacs. When the lilacs are in full bloom, it is a beautiful sea of ​​fragrant snow. This is the famous Fayuan Temple described by Li Ao. Tickets are 5 yuan.

The quiet ancient temple and the pure Zen forest are a rare quiet place in the city, where you can feel the profoundness of Chinese Buddhist culture.

The monks inside still need some academic qualifications. It’s not too big and it’s a Tibetan Buddhist temple.

The home of the Chinese Buddhist Academy, the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Beijing, is where various Buddhist ceremonies are often held. It is also a rare quiet place in the city.