Luohou Temple

39°00′54″N 113°36′14″E / 39.015049°N 113.604008°E / 39.015049; 113.604008ArchitectureStyleChinese architectureDate establishedTang dynasty (607-918)

The Luohou Temple (simplified Chinese: 罗睺寺; traditional Chinese: 羅睺寺; pinyin: Luóhóu Sì) is a Buddhist temple located in Taihuai Town of Wutai County, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China.

Name

Luohou Temple was named after Rāhula and Luo Hou Luo (Chinese: 罗睺罗; pinyin: Luó hóu Luó) for short, the only son of Siddhartha Gautama (commonly known as Buddha), and his wife Princess Yasodharā.

History

The temple was first established in the Tang dynasty (618-907) and initially called Shanzhu Geyuan (善住阁院).

The temple was rebuilt in 1492, during the Hongzhi period (1488-1505) of Ming dynasty (1368-1644). During the Wanli period (1572-1620), Concubine Li Yanfei (李彦妃) donated property to restore the temple.

In 1705, in the 44th year of Kangxi period (1662-1722) of Qing dynasty (1644-1911), the temple converted to Tibetan Buddhism.^[1] In 1792, in the 57th year of Qianlong period (1736-1795), the temple was reconstruction.

In 1983, the temple has been classified as a "National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area". In 2013, Luohou Temple is listed among the 7th batch of "State Cultural Protection Relics Units" by the State Council of China.

Architecture

Luohou temple consists of more than 118 buildings. The complex includes the following halls: paifang, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Manjushri, Great Buddha Hall, Buddhist Texts Library, Dharma Hall, Dining Room, etc.^[1]

Chinese guardian lions

On both sides of the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings there are two Chinese guardian lions. They were carved in the Tang dynasty (618-907).^[2]

Hall of Four Heavenly Kings

Four Heavenly Kings' statues are enshrined in the hall. They are the eastern Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the southern Virūḍhaka, the western Virūpākṣa, and the northern Vaiśravaṇa.^[2]

Hall of Manjushri

The Hall of Manjushri is the 2nd entry hall in the temple. A recumbent statue of Manjusri enshrined in the hall. The Manjusri Bodhisattva lies on a lotus.^[2]

Great Buddha Hall

Behind the Hall of Manjushri is the Great Buddha Hall enshrining the statues of Sakyamuni, Amitabha and Bhaisajyaguru.^[2]

Gallery

References