Great Compassion Temple

Great Compassion Temple

Great Compassion Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

is the fourth temple of the Eight Great Sites in Beijing, originally named Hidden Silence Temple. Established during the Song and Liao dynasties, it has a history of over nine hundred years. Nestled deep within the forest, the temple's layered halls ascend along the mountain terrain in a well-arranged layout, with its main gate facing south.

The ground level structure of Great Compassion Temple is the Mountain Gate Hall, featuring a flush-gable roof with gray tube tiles. The eaves are adorned with colorful paintings, and the center of the roof ridge is decorated with a brick carving of the “Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” design. Below the main eaves is an inscribed white marble plaque bearing the five bold characters “Imperially Commissioned Great Compassion Temple,” written in the strong hand of Emperor Kangxi. Below the plaque is a white marble arched gate, symmetrically carved with reliefs of a white elephant, a lion, a dragon, and a gazelle, ascending from bottom to top. At the center of the lintel are three carved deities, the middle one being a bird-headed human figure, representing the Garuda from Buddhist scripture. On either side of the archway are stone-carved lattice windows, decorated with dragon and honeysuckle patterns, elegant and solemn. The side gate towers are also exquisitely designed.

Inside the Mountain Gate Hall sits a statue of the “Laughing Buddha” (Maitreya), with moon-like eyes and an ever-smiling mouth, radiating joy. The Four Heavenly Kings stand on either side, clad in armor, holding ritual implements, with fierce eyes and imposing presence. These five divine statues are recent creations.

Ascending north past the Mountain Gate, one can see two pools of green bamboo by the steps, their yellowish skin and green leaves rustling gently—quite delightful. Legend says they were planted in the Ming dynasty and originally came from the Jiangnan region.

The second hall is the Mahavira Hall, whose roof ridge is adorned with a brick carving of the “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” the dragons’ scales and claws distinct, appearing as if ready to take flight—an exceptional masterpiece. The ridge ends’ chi wei ornaments and the roof-edge mythical beasts are also uniquely refined. Inside the hall, Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined at the center, flanked by his two disciples, Ananda and Kasyapa. The “Eighteen Arhats” are arranged on both sides.

The Eighteen Arhats in the Mahavira Hall are all seated atop marble clouds, attentively listening to Sakyamuni’s preaching, some in deep thought, others brandishing implements in practice—each vividly lifelike, truly a masterpiece. The remarkable quality of these Arhat statues is due to their creator, Liu Yuan, the most renowned sculptor of China’s Yuan dynasty. According to The Biographical Dictionary of China: “Liu Yuan, courtesy name Kangyuan, studied under the Nepalese sculptor Araniko to master the art of crafting Indian Buddha statues, achieving unparalleled skill. At the time, the Buddha statues in all major temples of the capital were his works. Their spiritual realism earned widespread acclaim. The three sovereigns he personally sculpted were of such exquisite craftsmanship that they won imperial praise—he was twice granted imperial concubines as wives and promoted to the rank of Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Hall, reflecting his achievements and status. More remarkably, the bodies of these eighteen Arhat statues were crafted from a fine mixture of sandalwood powder and fine sand. Even over seven hundred years later, they still emit a refreshing sandalwood fragrance.”

Behind the Mahavira Hall is the Great Compassion Hall. Built in the 29th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty, it features five bays and a plaque reading “Sea of Compassion Origins” hanging below the eaves. The couplet on the pillars reads: “The unmoving sanctuary becomes ruins in the east; the crystal realm reveals Amitabha to the west.” The inscriptions on the plaque and couplet are the work of contemporary calligraphers.

The hall enshrines a color-carved statue of Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) seated in meditation, her expression filled with compassion like a loving mother.

The final hall is the Medicine Buddha Hall. This structure was recently restored within the past two years, with its architectural layout and painted decorations following Qing dynasty official styles. The hall appears magnificent and solemn. Inside, the Medicine Buddha, the Sunlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva, and the Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva are enshrined, with twelve Yaksha deities positioned on both sides. The inner cores of these fifteen deities are made of camphor wood, covered with gold leaf, giving a majestic and luxurious impression.

Scenic Spot Location

No. 3 Badachu Road, Badachu Park, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China