Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t16.2

v1.c7.s3.t16.2

Xiangguo Temple was originally built in the Tianbao sixth year of Northern Qi Dynasty (555 CE) and named as Jianguo Temple at that time. In the Tang Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt and renamed as Daxiangguo Temple and became very famous since its name was given by the emperor himself. It was a huge temple with luxurious buildings everywhere. The temple in Tang Dynasty treasured lots of renowned fresco created by some masters such as Wu Tao-tzu. There are also many excellent sculpture works of Yang Huizhi, a sculptor in Tang Dynasty. In Song Dynasty, Xiangguo Temple was like a Royal Temple, many famous monk in the temple were granted title by the emperor. During the period of the reign of Emperor Taizu, Song Dynasty (960-976 CE), the temple became a place to receive honourable guests. For example, in the Kaibao fourth year of Song Dynasty (971 CE), Manjushri, prince of central India came with Jiansheng, an eminent monk who was just on his way home from a journey to the West for Buddhist scriptures to go to Kaifeng. After they met the Emperor, they were arranged to live in Xiangguo Temple and there were many other Indian monks who once lived in Xiangguo Temple. Hereafter, the temple suffered many misfortunes and eventually in the 15th year of the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, Ming Dynasty (1642), was flooded by the Yellow River. It was rebuilt and repaired twice in Qing Dynasty but in 1841 it was flooded again. After 1949, Xiangguo Temple, after being repaired for several times, was officially restored and opened for Buddhism activities in 1992.