Baibai Temple, Speechlessly Stunning

Baibai Temple is located north of Yubai Village in Yanchi Town, Mentougou District, Beijing. Originally named Baibai Shoufeng Zen Temple, it was first built in the early Qiantong years of the Liao Dynasty (1101) and was the central temple of the Huayan sect of Buddhism during the Liao and Jin dynasties.

Historical Evolution: During the Shouchang years of the Liao Dynasty, Master Yuanzheng, seeing the beautiful peaks in this area, raised funds to build the temple. The emperor named it "Jinyin Mountain Baibai Shoufeng Zen Temple." In the sixth year of Huangtong during the Jin Dynasty (1146), people built Master Yuanzheng's memorial pagoda to the west of the temple. In the early years of the Republic of China, Baibai Temple was destroyed by warlords and later rebuilt by villagers with only a three-section courtyard remaining. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple was almost completely destroyed, with only one ancient pagoda from the Liao Dynasty surviving. In 1998, Master Huineng organized its reconstruction, which was completed on May 22, 2016.

Overall Layout: After reconstruction, the temple consists of the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall of the Great Hero (Mahavira), side buildings, bell tower, drum tower, guest hall, dharma hall, and sutra library. All buildings are connected by surrounding corridors.

Unique Design: Most Buddha statues are built outdoors or on building rooftops, such as the Horse-headed Avalokitesvara enshrined in the Chariot God Temple, the Golden Child Buddha with surrounding dragon and phoenix carvings on the Cloud and Thunder Pavilion, and the huge four-faced Bodhisattva statue. These bold designs create a powerful visual impact.

Cultural Value: Master Yuanzheng's ancient pagoda to the west of the temple was built on the first day of the tenth month in the sixth year of Huangtong during the Jin Dynasty (1146). The six-sided solid pagoda has a dense-eaved style in the lower half and an inverted-bowl style in the upper half. Its stable design and rare form make it a masterpiece among Jin Dynasty dense-eaved pagodas and provide physical materials for studying modern Buddhist architecture.

Opening Hours: Summer 08:00-18:00, Winter 08:30-17:30.

Ticket Information: Free admission, parking fee 10 yuan per vehicle, no time limit.

Post by SolitudeWhisper4567890 | Apr 24, 2025