Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t5: White Horse Temple
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t5
- Language
- English
White Horse Temple
v1.c7.s3.t5.1
White Horse Temple is China’s first government-run temple. It is located in Luoyang City, Henan Province which is known as the birthplace of "Chinese Buddhism".
v1.c7.s3.t5.2
According to historical records, in 67 CE, Emperor Han Mingdi dreamt of a golden person. He then sent messengers towards the West in search. In 68 CE, Indian Monks, Kāśyapamātanga and Dharmaratnawas, on invitation arrived in Luoyang on a white horseback carrying Buddhist scriptures and statues. The following year emperor Hanmingdi ordered the construction of a Buddhist Monastery in the northern part of Royal Road, three miles outside the Xiyong Gate and named it - “White Horse Temple.” From the date of completion of construction, the White Horse Temple has witnessed several vicissitudes, repeated damages due to wars and was rebuilt several times. Its size was the highest during the rule of Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty and it received a maximum of 3,000 monks at a time. In 1555 CE, when Huang Jin held the position eunuch and the Governor, he renovated the White Horse Temple. To a large extent, the present scale and layout of the White Horse temple is from that time. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the government has rebuilt the temple several times - in 1952, 1954 and 1959. In 1961, the White Horse Temple was declared as a national cultural relic protection unit by the State Council.
v1.c7.s3.t5.3
The main gate of the White Horse Temple at Luoyang, Henan, China
v1.c7.s3.t5.4
Indian-style Buddhist Hall at the White Horse Temple, Luoyang, Henan, China
v1.c7.s3.t5.5
In 1997, the Religious Affairs Bureau of Luoyang made an overall planning for the White Horse Temple. It was decided to build a “International Buddhist Monastery Hall” in the western side of the temple building. In April 2005, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh signed the memorandum of “India’s Indian-style Buddhist Hall in the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, China.” In April 26, 2006, the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction was held at the White Horse Temple. On May 29, 2010, the hall was officially inaugurated with the then President of India, Pratibha Patil, attending the inauguration ceremony. The hall is located in the western side facing the east, it is around 100 m long from east to west and stretches around 60 m in width from north to south. It occupies a construction area of about 3,450 sq m, the main building is about 30 m high, inside is enshrined a Buddha statue up to 4.5 m high. This resembles India’s World Heritage Site of Sanchi Stupa in its design and construction. The Indian Government sponsored a fund of Rs 50 million for the completion of the Hall, it is the first overseas Buddhist hall construction funded by the Indian Government.
v1.c7.s3.t5.6
(*Zhang Ran* & *Qiao Anquan*)