Haibao Pagoda Temple Explained

Haibao Pagoda Temple
Native Name:海宝塔寺
Native Name Lang:zh
Map Type:China Ningxia#China
Coordinates:38.4982°N 106.2873°W
Religious Affiliation:Buddhism
Sect:Linji school
Leadership:Guozhen [1]
Festivals:-->
Location:Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia
Country:China
Architecture Style:Chinese architecture
Established:5th century
Year Completed:18th century (reconstruction)
Date Destroyed:-->

The Haibao Pagoda Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Xingqing District of Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. Because of earthquakes, the modern temple was founded in the 18th century in the period of the Qianlong Emperor (1736 - 1796) during the mid-Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911). It is the headquarters of the Buddhist Association of Ningxia.[2]

History

The temple was first constructed in the early 5th century, during the Northern and Southern dynasties (420 - 581).[3] The temple is named after the Haibao Pagoda, also known as "Hebao Pagoda" and "Heibao Pagoda" . According to the local county annals, the pagoda was restored by Helian Bobo (381 - 425) and the Emperor Wulie of Xia Kingdom (407 - 431).[4]

The temple had been subjected to two earthquakes in 1712 and 1778, during the mid-Qing dynasty (618 - 907).[5]

In the early Republic period (1912 - 1949), it was called "Haibao Chan Temple" .

In March 1961, it was listed among the "Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Ningxia" by the State Council of China.

In October 1963, the then Vice-President Dong Biwu visited the temple. In the 1960s, Deng Xiaoping visited the temple.[6]

In 1983, the temple was categorized as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China.

Architecture

The entire complex faces the west and has an exquisite layout in the order of the Hall of Shanmen, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Skanda, and Hall of Jade Buddha.

Hall of Shanmen

The Hall of Shanmen is a gable and hip roof building. Under the eaves is a plaque with the Chinese characters "" written by Zhao Puchu, the then president of the Buddhist Association of China.[6]

Mahavira Hall

The Mahavira Hall in the main hall in the temple which houses the statues of the Three-Life Buddha. The statues of Eighteen Arhats are enshrined on the left and right side of the hall.[6]

Hall of Jade Buddha

The Hall of Jade Buddha is the hall where the statue of Shakyamuni is enshrined. The statue was carved in the Burmese style. The 1.5m (04.9feet) statue is made of jade.

Haibao Pagoda

The eleven story, 53.9m (176.8feet) tall, dodecagon-based, Haibao Pagoda is made of brick and stone, also known as the Northern Pagoda . It is built on a square brick base, each side measuring 19.7m (64.6feet) long and 5.7m (18.7feet) high. It is composed of a pagoda base, a dense-eave body, and a thatsa.[2] [7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. News: http://www.fjnet.com/fwzt/nr/201603/t20160318_239219.htm . zh:追思—银川海宝塔寺隆重举行清净长老圆寂十周年纪念追思法会 . fjnet.com . 2016-03-18 . zh.
  2. News: Haibo Pagoda. 16 April 2018. cri. 2005-11-03.
  3. News: https://news.qq.com/a/20061205/001353.htm . zh:专家考证:银川市海宝塔始建于北朝晚期至隋唐年间 . Tencent . 2006-12-05 . zh.
  4. Book: zh. Hu Yubing . zh:《乾隆宁夏府志》. Prefecture Topography of Ningxia. 2015 . China Social Sciences Press . Beijing . 9787516157534.
  5. News: http://mini.eastday.com/a/160923105605163.html . zh:宁夏的佛教圣地——海宝塔寺 . Ningxia's Buddhist sacred place: Temple of Haibao Pagoda . eastday.com . 2016-09-23 . zh . 2018-04-16 . 2018-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180416134900/http://mini.eastday.com/a/160923105605163.html . dead .
  6. News: http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shenghuo/200/8647/8650/20020721/780904.html . zh:银川海宝塔(北塔) . Haibao Pagoda (Northern Pagoda) in Yinchuan . people.com.cn . 2002-07-21 . zh . 2018-04-16 . 2004-05-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20040503063117/http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shenghuo/200/8647/8650/20020721/780904.html . dead .
  7. News: Haibao Pagoda. 16 April 2018. china.org.cn. 2010.
  8. News: http://www.fjnet.com/pic/200811/t20081104_89083.htm . zh:银川海宝塔寺. Temple of Haibao Pagoda in Yinchuan . fjnet.com . 2008-11-04 . zh.