Jade Buddha Temple: history, religion, and culture in one
With China's long history, interesting culture, and great people, it is no wonder that it has continued attracting guests from all over the world. It amazes almost everyone how China has maintained and preserved its past, its religion, and its beauty, despite the many developments and transitions it has faced. One example that shows China's national treasure is the Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai. It is one of the best ways to experience a blend of religion, culture, history, and people.
Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple whose temple draws from both Pure Land and Chan traditions of Mahayana Buddhism. Founded in 1882, the Jade Buddha Temple has gone a long way from its founding. Originally, the two jade Buddha statues were imported from Burma. These were transported to China by sea. The Jade Buddha Temple has a sitting Buddha and a reclining Buddha representing Buddha's death. Presently, there's another reclining Jade Buddha, donated from Singapore, that is much larger than the one from Burma.
From the time of the Qing Dynasty in 1875, when Abbott Hui Gen went on a pilgrimage to Tibet, received the Jade Buddhas, and returned with the Buddhas, to Abbott Ke Chen's new temple for the Buddhas, there is much history in it.
The modern structure of Jade Buddha Temple has been divided to the Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings, Grand Hall, Jade Buddha Chamber, public restaurant, and more. In the Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings, the statues of Maitreya, Wei Tuo, Bodhisattva, and the Four Heavenly Kings is sake kept. The Grand Hall, also called as Great Hall, has many statues - the Three Golden Buddhas, Gods of the Twenty Heavens, 18 Arhats, and Guanyin, Shen Cai, and his 53 teachers. The Jade Buddha Chamber is on the second floor; a fee is required before one can enter and view the chamber.
During the 2500th anniversary of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment in 1956, the celebration and ceremony was held in the temple. It was in 1966 that the Shanghai Institute of Buddhism was established at the temple. More significant events in Buddhism, Shanghai, and China's history have been witnessed, commemorated, and celebrated in Jade Buddha Temple that it has become a national center for history, culture, and religion.
Entering the Jade Buddha Temple would definitely take you on a journey like no other. It allows yesterday to meet tomorrow through today.
