Luohou Temple Explained

Luohou Temple
Native Name:罗睺寺
Native Name Lang:zh
Map Type:China Shanxi
Map Size:225px
Coordinates:39.015°N 113.604°W
Religious Affiliation:Buddhism
Sect:Tibetan Buddhism-Gelug
Festivals:-->
Location:Wutai County, Shanxi, China
Architecture Style:Chinese architecture
Established:Tang dynasty (607-918)
Date Destroyed:-->

The Luohou Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Taihuai Town of Wutai County, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China.

Name

Luohou Temple was named after Rāhula and Luo Hou Luo for short, the only son of Siddhartha Gautama (commonly known as Buddha), and his wife Princess Yasodharā.

History

The temple was first established in the Tang dynasty (618-907) and initially called Shanzhu Geyuan .

The temple was rebuilt in 1492, during the Hongzhi period (1488-1505) of Ming dynasty (1368-1644). During the Wanli period (1572-1620), Concubine Li Yanfei donated property to restore the temple.

In 1705, in the 44th year of Kangxi period (1662-1722) of Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the temple converted to Tibetan Buddhism.[1] In 1792, in the 57th year of Qianlong period (1736-1795), the temple was reconstruction.

In 1983, the temple has been classified as a "National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area". In 2013, Luohou Temple is listed among the 7th batch of "State Cultural Protection Relics Units" by the State Council of China.

Architecture

Luohou temple consists of more than 118 buildings. The complex includes the following halls: paifang, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Manjushri, Great Buddha Hall, Buddhist Texts Library, Dharma Hall, Dining Room, etc.[1]

Chinese guardian lions

On both sides of the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings there are two Chinese guardian lions. They were carved in the Tang dynasty (618-907).[2]

Hall of Four Heavenly Kings

Four Heavenly Kings' statues are enshrined in the hall. They are the eastern Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the southern Virūḍhaka, the western Virūpākṣa, and the northern Vaiśravaṇa.[2]

Hall of Manjushri

The Hall of Manjushri is the 2nd entry hall in the temple. A recumbent statue of Manjusri enshrined in the hall. The Manjusri Bodhisattva lies on a lotus.[2]

Great Buddha Hall

Behind the Hall of Manjushri is the Great Buddha Hall enshrining the statues of Sakyamuni, Amitabha and Bhaisajyaguru.[2]

Notes and References

  1. News: http://www.lhs.chinawts.com/list/lhs/index.htm . zh:五台山罗睺寺. Luohou Temple in Mount Wutai . chinawts.com . 2015 . zh.
  2. News: http://www.wutaishanfojiao.com/content-21-386-1.html . zh:罗睺寺. Luohou Temple . wutaishanfojiao.com . 2015-01-14 . zh.