Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple

Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple

Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple

Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple is located in the western part of Handan city, south of Chajianling Park, covering an area of 66 acres. It was first built during the Daye era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and has a history of over 1,400 years, having endured through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. In its heyday, the temple attracted many eminent monks and enjoyed flourishing incense offerings, making it one of the renowned temples in the Central Plains. However, after experiencing periods of prosperity and decline, it was eventually destroyed in wartime. To promote Buddhist culture and boost tourism development, the temple was approved by the government for restoration and reconstruction. The rebuilt Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple is grand in scale, with magnificent halls and pavilions. Mr. Zhao Puchu, then President of the Buddhist Association of China, personally inscribed the name of the temple. The main structures of the temple include the Heavenly King Hall (Mountain Gate), the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Reclining Buddha Hall, and the Scripture Depository. Supporting buildings consist of the Stupa, Arhat Hall, Nine-Dragon Wall, Liberation Pond, and Bell and Drum Towers. The main buildings of Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple all feature Ming and Qing architectural styles, characterized by their classic elegance and well-arranged layout. The Mahavira Hall is the central highlight of the temple, adorned with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, shining in resplendent gold. Above the center of the hall’s entrance hangs a plaque inscribed with the words “Mahavira Hall,” personally written by Mr. Zhao Puchu, further enhancing the hall’s majestic presence. The temple houses a collection of over 300 jade Buddha statues of various sizes, all brought from Myanmar, the Land of Buddhism. Among them, the largest reclining Buddha statue is exquisitely crafted, lifelike, and measures 6.5 meters in length and weighs 18 tons. With the largest number of jade Buddha statues, the biggest size, and the finest jade quality in China, the temple is now known as Dacheng Jade Buddha Temple. Additionally, the temple currently preserves over 40 exquisite wooden carvings, such as “Nine Dragons’ Charm,” “Phoenix Spreading Wings,” “Dragon Exploring the Sea,” “ roc Spreading Wings,” “Welcoming Pine,” “Peacock and Peony,” “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity,” and “Maitreya.” These carvings, standing between 1.7 to 2 meters tall, are crafted from nanmu, camphorwood, and sandalwood. They feature smooth lines, vivid expressions, fine craftsmanship, and some date back to the early Qing Dynasty, holding high artistic value.