The Fahai Temple is a Ming-era Buddhist temple located at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain about two kilometers to the north-east of Moshikou, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China. It was declared as a national cultural relic protection unit in 1988. It is located within Fahai Temple Forest Park.

Fahai Temple
The Fahai Temple
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
Location
LocationBeijing
CountryChina
Geographic coordinates39°56′24.36″N 116°9′11.88″E / 39.9401000°N 116.1533000°E / 39.9401000; 116.1533000
Architecture
Completed1443
Fahai Temple
Portrait of the Water-Moon Bodhisattva from the temple's Ming frescoes
Chinese name
Chinese
Literal meaningLaw Sea Temple
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinFǎhǎi Sì
Wade–GilesFa-hai Ssu
Sanskrit name
Sanskritधर्म समुद्र विहार
Dharma Samudra Vihāra

History

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Construction of the Fahai Temple started in 1439 during the Ming dynasty and was completed in 1443.

Frescoes

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The most distinguishing part of Fahai Temple is the Ming dynasty frescoes. The total area of the frescoes is 236.7 square meters. Comparing with other famous frescoes in China, such as the Yongle Palace frescoes and the Dunhuang frescoes, Fahai Temple's well-preserved frescoes are also notable in the depiction of figures, subtlety of patterns and the craft methods.

Cultural relics

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  • Bronze Bell