Wenshu Temple (Mount Wutai) Explained

Wenshu Temple
Native Name:文殊寺
Native Name Lang:zh
Map Type:Shanxi#China
Coordinates:38.9306°N 113.4664°W
Religious Affiliation:Buddhism
Deity:Tibetan Buddhism
Leadership:Shi Changqing [1]
Festivals:-->
Location:Mount Wutai, Xinzhou, Shanxi
Country:China
Architecture Style:Chinese architecture
Established:Qianlong period (1736 - 1795)
Year Completed:1821 (reconstruction)
Date Destroyed:-->

Wenshu Temple, also known as Guang'an Temple is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mount Wutai, in Taihuai Town of Wutai County, Shanxi, China. It is one of the five residence of Changkya Khutukhtu.[2]

History

The temple was first established in the Qianlong period (1736 - 1795) of the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911). The modern temple was completed in 1821 during the reign of Daoguang Emperor.[2] [3]

On September 19, 2016, the newly established Mahavira Hall was consecrated by eminent Buddhist masters of the Buddhist Association of Mount Wutai.[1] [3]

Architecture

The temple covers an area of 5180m2 and faces the south.[2]

Main Hall

The Main Hall enshrining the statues of Tsongkhapa and Guanyin. Guanyin has ten small heads, hence the name "Ten Head Guanyin" . Statues of Manjushri, Guanyin and Vajrapani are placed at the back of the hall. On the walls are paintings with stories of Xuanzang went west for sutras and the 500 Arhats.[2]

Notes and References

  1. News: Gao Dong . http://www.wutaishanfojiao.com/content-19-783-1.html . zh:五台山文殊寺举行大雄宝殿落成暨佛像开光庆典法会 . wutaishanfojiao.com . 19 September 2016. zh.
  2. News: Wenshu Temple on Mount Wutai. 14 May 2018. chinawts.com. 2005. zh.
  3. News: http://www.sohu.com/a/114697188_117984 . zh:著名书法家翟鑫一行出席五台山大文殊寺大雄宝殿佛. Sohu . 20 September 2016. zh.