The BaotongTemple is situated at the southern foot of HongMountain in the Wuchang District of Wuhan, the capital of HubeiProvince. One of China’s oldest existing temples, dating back more than 1,580 years, the temple was first built during the Liusong period of the Southern Dynasty (420-479). It is a typical imperial temple, though sustained by 10 emperors and six nobilities, including Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was originally named East Mountain Temple, then MaiyreyaTemple, after an expansion during the reign of Taizong (627-649) of the Tang Dynasty. The temple has been marked by vicissitudes of time. The present structure was a restoration over recent years to its original form, as based on remnant architecture dating to the period of Qing Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908).
The Baotong Buddhist building complex is oriented to the south, the halls rising one higher than another still higher, asymmetrically. With ornamental columns and upturned eaves, as well as a long history and a majestic architectural style, the palace in the shadow of pines and bamboos is known for its colorful paintings and sculptures. East Rock, LionPeak, Celestial Being Rock and Longevity Spring are among eight scenes of HongMountain.
There are many valuable relics housed in the temple. Of the extant Buddhist relics in HubeiProvince, the bell in the BellTower is the most ancient of large musical instruments formed by smelting. Three stone lions, a male playing with a ball and his mate with a baby, are quite unique even in south of Yangtze River. FajiePalace, a Japanese-style architecture with secret Buddhist Zen sect, deserves to be mentioned for the flying rock in the palace adds more charm. The colorful 500 arhats are vivid and interesting. Yue Fei, a national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty, planted a tree on the mountain where the men of letters of past ages lingered on with no thought of leaving.
BaotongTemple, one of four Buddhist complexes of WuhanCity, is listed as an important temple of Chinese Buddha to open outside by the state council and a preserved relic site of HubeiProvince as well as a Buddhist site.
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First built in 1280, Hongshan pagoda was made of bricks delicately assembled with a cap of purple copper weighting 6.5 tons. The design signifies “eternity”. |
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Abbot Long Xing, a member of China Buddhism Association and the vice-chairman of Buddhism Associations of Hubei province and WuhanCity. |
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A Ming Dynasty stone lion, unique in south of Yangtze River. |
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