Foguang Temple (Mangshi)

Foguang Temple (Chinese: 佛光寺; pinyin: Fóguāng Sì) is a Theravadin Buddhist temple located in Mangshi, Yunnan, China.[1]

Foguang Temple
佛光寺
Religion
AffiliationTheravada Buddhism
DeityGautama Buddha
Location
LocationMangshi, Yunnan
CountryChina
Foguang Temple (Mangshi) is located in Yunnan
Foguang Temple (Mangshi)
Shown within Yunnan
Geographic coordinates24°26′31″N 98°35′21″E / 24.44195°N 98.58929°E / 24.44195; 98.58929
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture - Kyaung
FounderFang Qinglu
Date established1873
Completed1983 (reconstruction)

Name

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The name of the temple in Dai language is "Zhuang He Xing" (奘贺幸), meaning "a Buddhist temple holds the first Buddhist texts".[2]

History

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The temple was originally built in 1873, during the region of Tongzhi Emperor (1862–1874) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It used to be the palace of Fang Qinglu (放庆禄), who was the 20th Tusi. Towards the completion of the project, someone reported to the Qing government that the building had violated regulations, and Fang Qinglu had to change it into a Buddhist temple.[3]

The temple was slightly damaged during the Second Sino-Japanese War. In the Cultural Revolution, most of its buildings were completely destroyed by the Red Guards, only the Main Hall and South Hall survived. After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the policy of some religious freedom was implemented. Foguang Temple was renovated and restored in 1983.[4]

Architecture

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The Main Hall is the most important hall in the temple, it has a double-eave gable and hip roofs. The statue of Gautama Buddha is enshrined in the hall.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ Codification Committee (1997), p. 501.
  2. ^ Codification Committee (1997), p. 91.
  3. ^ Zhang Jianzhang & Zhou Can (2011), p. 55.
  4. ^ Dao Chenghua; Cai Rongnan (2014). History of Dai Culture. Yunnan: Yunnan Ethnic Publishing House. p. 343. ISBN 978-7-5367-6052-3.
  5. ^ Zhang Jianzhang & Zhou Can (2011), pp. 73–75.

Bibliography

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  • Codification Committee (1997). 德宏州志 [Dehong Prefecture Chronicle] (in Chinese). Yunnan: Dehong National Publishing House. ISBN 7-80525-398-6.
  • Zhang Jianzhang; Zhou Can (2011). 秘境德宏 [Secret Attractions in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture] (in Chinese). Beijing: China Tourism Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5032-4031-7.