1. Hangzhou Travel Lingyin Temple
The Lingyin temple is a very large Buddhist temple in the hillsides to the west of Hangzhou and is
among Hangzhous top travel locations. The Lingyin Temple can also be called Yunlin Temple as well
as Lingyin indicates souls retreat.
History & Background
The Linying Temple is a Zen or even Chen Buddhist temple that was first built in 326 during the
Eastern Jin Dynasty (266-420) by Hui Li, a good Indian Buddhist monk. From its peak during the five
Dynasties time period (907-960) underneath the patronage of the then full of Wu Yue state , the
temple consisted of nine buildings, 18 pavilions, seventy-seven palaces as well as halls with over
thirteen 100 rooms. The actual temple located roughly three thousand monks.
Since being set up in 326, the temple has been destroyed and reconstructed at least 16 times. NOt
really immune to national politics , the temple was damaged by red Guard groups during the mayhem
of Maos Cultural trend. Damaged was minimised through Premier Zhou Enlai who mitigated a lot of
the damage wrought by the red Guard during that period as well as was one of the few voices
associated with reason then.
The most recent restoration of the temple took place within 1974, three years after the finish of the
cultural Revolution and 2 years before the death associated with Chairman Mao.
The Lingyin Temple has become one of the 10 largest Buddhist temples within China, one of the
wealthiest and also the leading study center in to Chinese Buddhist culture.
Temple grounds as well as Layout

2. The buildings in the temple area are based on a south north south axis going up Linying hill and are
organized around a sizable court backyard. To the south of the court backyard is the hall of the
heavenly Kings that is the official temple entry. To the west is the hall of five hundred Arhats. To the
north may be the Mahavira structure.
Further northern going up along side it of the hill are the hall of the medicine Buddha, the actual
Exhibit associated with Cultural relics Hall, the actual Sutra collection Pavilion and also the top
building , the hall of Avatamsaka.
Hall associated with 500 Arhats this is a large building is built in the shape of the Buddhist Swastika
and easily one of the most amazing buildings d the temple. The arms of the Swastika hold the sitting
bronze statues of five hundred arhats. A good arhat is a very spiritually sophisticated Buddhist
practitioner. The center of your building where the 4 arms join holds a raised bronze structure that
homes four bodhisattvas (enlightened creatures ).
No photos had been allowed in this hall however this restriction did not cease any of the snap happy
nearby tourists. As a compromise we discreetly required a few pictures with the flash off.
Mahavira Palace The center of this building retains a massive Buddhist statue, the biggest seated
wood statue associated with Buddha within China. The actual statue consists of camphor wooden
and is covered in sixty taels or even 3 kgs of gold. Buddhist as well as arhat pictures are displayed on
back again and aspect walls of the building.
An area in the front of the wooden statue has been fenced in off as well as holds kneeling cushions
with regard to worshippers. There have been three monks praying when i was there so out of respect
for them , no pictures were taken.
Hall associated with Avatamsaka This hall houses statues of the three sages of the Avatamsaka
Sutra: Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and Shakyamuni.

3. Canteen/Restaurant on the eastern side of the temple complex is a canteen or cafe that is open to
the public. REcption menus is sensible and has dishes such as Arhat noodles (groaannn) and Ningbo
smoked seafood. Prices vary from 8rmb in order to 20rmb.
Many buildings for example Sutra collection are closed to the open public and only for use by the
resident monks. When walking around the actual complex, you can see that many buildings are off
limits to vacationers. All the indicators are in chinese language so shooing foreign tourist out of these
areas will be common exercise for the monks. Just as well Buddhism teaches patience and tolerance
of the unenlightened!
Being as well as active Buddhist temple, you can see monks all around the grounds, walking , in
prayer, working and even taking calls on cell phones.
Getting There
The Lingyin temple complex is incorporated in the Lingyin scenic area. There's a large bicycle rental
station at the entry of the scenic area the actual ride in the west aspect of west Lake should take a
maximum of 20-30 moments.
You may also catch the local K7 bus and the Y1 and
Y2 tourist buses.
Tickets as well as Times
To begin to see the Lingyin temple , you need to buy a 45rmb ticket for admission to the Lingyin
Scenic area and a separate 30rmb ticket for admission to temple grounds.
The scenic area and the temple are open from 7am to 5pm.

4. This post is written by Brendon Lang, a china travel addict. To learn more about travel and life in
china , visit my personal blog China Travel Go and such as my facebook fanpage China Travel
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