White Horse Temple (Baimasi) Photo: White Horse Temple (Baimasi)

White Horse temple is a Buddhist temple, one of the first built in China. Founded the temple in Luoyang under the patronage of Emperor Ming-di (personal name Liu Zhuang) in 68 ad.

There are interesting beliefs about the origin of the name of the monastery. Liu Juany had a dream, waking up after which he immediately sent to India his faithful subjects, so they learned all about the mysterious doctrine, rumors which continued to spread among the population of China. The messengers returned, but not alone, but together with Buddhist monks carrying their sacred books on white horses, in whose honor the temple got its name.

Another legend is directly connected with the emergence and spread of Buddhism in China. The Emperor Chau Wang, the ruler of the Tang dynasty saw an unusually bright halo of light in the sky. The court astrologers had predicted the birth of a Holy man. And, also, that the doctrine which would follow this man to spread in China. The prediction was recorded in the Royal record book. Later, as it turned out, that year was born in India Gautama Buddha.

The temple, though small in size, according to most believers, is the "cradle of Chinese Buddhism". The temple grounds of 13 hectares. The temple facades facing South. Before entering the temple, there are statues of stone horses.

The temple has several halls, namely Hall of Six Founders", "Mahavira Hall", "Hall Greetings", "jade Buddha Hall", "Hall of the Heavenly Kings", and a repository of ancient Scripture. Behind the main hall is "Cool and Clear terrace", which is also known as "terrace TINLEY". Four sides of the terraces are paved with green bricks. At the terrace Pavilion is also located Kunle, on the East and West are rooms with statues of the two eminent monks shes Matanga and Zhu Falana. These two were buried at the temple gate.

In the main hall on the altar are three statues: in the center stands a statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni between Manjushri statues and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. Monks still serves as a huge bell, weighing over a ton, which was installed near the altar during the time of Emperor of Jiajing from the Ming dynasty.

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White Horse Temple (Baimasi)
The Temple Of Guangling
The drum tower (Gulou)
Luoyang Museum of ancient tombs
The Longman Grottoes (Caves Of 10,000 Buddhas)