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Fayuan Temple, Beijing

The Dharma Hall at Fayuan TempleThe Dharma Hall at Fayuan Temple
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma-hall_at_Fa_yuan_temple.JPG
Author: Shizhao
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Fayuan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Beijing. Located near the Cow Street Mosque, it was built in AD 696 by the Tang Taizong emperor to commemorate soldiers who died in the expedition against the northern invaders.

What we see today is not the original building, of course, as it has been replaced successively following repeated calamities and natural disasters. The present structure dates back to the Qing era.

As you enter it, you will see that it is a typical Buddhist temple. There is an incense burner near the gate, flanked by the customary drum and bell towers, on the east and west respectively.

Jade Emperor Hall, Fayuan TempleJade Emperor Hall, Fayuan Temple
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hall_of_Kings_of_Heaven_at_Fa_yuan_temple.JPG
Author: Shizhao
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The Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tianwang Dian) is beyond the gate. In front of it is a pair of bronze lions. Among the statues here is that of the Laughing Buddha (Milefo).

At the main hall of Fayuan Temple is a gilded statue of Sakyamuni, the Historical Buddha. The statue is flanked by bodhisattvas and luohans - being that have been freed from the cycles of rebirth.

At the rear of Fayuan Temple is the scripture hall where sacred sutras are kept. In another hall is a huge 5-meter (16-feet) statue of Buddha.

Minzhong Court, Fayuan TempleMinzhong Court, Fayuan Temple
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minzhong_ge_at_Fa_yuan_temple.JPG
Author: Shizhao
photo licensing

Fayuan Temple also has a Buddhist college within its premises. As such, you will see a lot of monks here.

How to reach Fayuan Temple

Take the subway to Xuanwu Men subway station. The temple is open 8:30 am to 3:00 pm daily.

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About this website



Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.

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