Yuanyao Temple

Yuanyao Temple

Yuanyao Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

The mountain gate of Yuanyao Temple is unique. While most temples have a three-door gate, this one has five, known as the Five Dynasties Gate, which is unparalleled on Mount Wutai. In front of the temple stands a pair of stone lions. Inside, there are structures such as the Heavenly King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Pagoda Courtyard, the Scripture Depository, and the Rear Courtyard. Among them, the Mahavira Hall enshrines the Buddhas of the Three Ages: the Medicine Buddha on the east side, Sakyamuni Buddha in the center, and Amitabha Buddha on the west side. Flanking the Buddhas of the Three Ages are the Eighteen Arhats. Most of these statues were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

In the rear courtyard of Yuanyao Temple stands a white pagoda, five zhang tall, with smaller pagodas at each of its four corners. Its distinctive shape belongs to the stupa of the Indian eminent monk Shilisha.

Yuanyao Temple is located opposite the bell tower of Xiantong Temple and was historically known as Puning Temple. In the early years of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Indian monk Shilisha came to China to propagate Buddhism. To commemorate him, Emperor Xuanzong of Ming ordered the construction of this temple on Mount Wutai.

The Great Yuanyao Temple is a 700-year-old ancient temple, situated in Taihuai Town at the sacred Buddhist site of Mount Wutai, on Lingjiu Middle Peak. It is now a key provincial-level protected temple in Shanxi. Due to its slightly elevated terrain, the temple enjoys an especially open and bright setting.

The temple looks north toward Bodhisattva Summit and Guangzong Temple, south down upon Xiantong Temple and Pagoda Courtyard Temple, east to Dailuoding and Shancai Cave, and west to Shouningsi and Santasi. Located at the heart of these structures, it proudly towers over the landscape. Its layout is longer from north to south and narrower from east to west, built along the mountain slope in the shape of a jujube seed, covering an area of more than 12,600 square meters with over eighty various buildings.

Originally called Puning Temple, in the early Yongle years of the Ming Dynasty, the Indian monk Shilisha came to China to preach. He was invited to give lectures and expound Buddhist teachings in the Ten Kings Hall and earned deep appreciation from Emperor Yongle. The emperor conferred upon him the title “Great Dharma Master of Perfect Enlightenment, Miraculous Response, Assisting the Nation, and Illuminating the Dharma,” granting him a golden seal and ceremonial banners. He was then sent to Mount Wutai to preach. Shilisha resided at Xiantong Temple during his time on Mount Wutai. In the early Xuande years of the Ming Dynasty, Shilisha was summoned again and received an imperial decree—

After concluding his Buddhist activities, he requested permission to return to the mountain but did not receive the emperor’s approval. Unexpectedly, the day after his request was denied, Shilisha passed away without any illness.

In Buddhism, this is called entering nirvana. Upon hearing the news, Emperor Xuande was deeply saddened. He issued an imperial edict for a state funeral and cremation. The monk’s relics were divided into two parts and enshrined in separate stupas. One stupa was built in what is now Beijing, along with Zhenjue Temple; the other was constructed on Mount Wutai, and the temple established there was named Yuanyao Temple.

To this day, Shilisha’s stupa remains well-preserved and stands within the temple. It is a Tibetan-style brick stupa with a slightly square base. The stupa is five meters tall and painted white, shining brilliantly. At each of its four corners stands a small stupa, creating a formation of five stupas standing together—a uniquely shaped and spectacular sight.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Shanxi Province