Baoguo Pule Temple

　　  The temple was initiated in August 1993 by lay Buddhist Liu Xiuzhen and was modeled after the layout of Puji Temple on Mount Putuo in Zhejiang Province. Without the aid of machinery or complete blueprints, a devoted community of followers labored arduously and resiliently for five years. The temple’s consecration ceremony was held on the 13th day of the ninth lunar month in 1997.

　　  Covering an area of 6,000 square meters, the temple complex includes key structures such as the Mountain Gate, Yuanhui Treasure Hall, Yuantong Treasure Hall, and Three Saints Hall. The upper level of the Three Saints Hall houses a scripture depository, flanked by the Pumen Hall and Dizang Hall. On either side of the Yuantong Treasure Hall are the Manjushri Hall and Samantabhadra Hall. Other facilities include the Avalokiteshvara Eye Deity Hall, Ancestral Hall, Merit Hall, Medicine Buddha Hall, Founders Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Meditation Hall, monastic quarters, and dining hall.

　　  The Yuantong Treasure Hall stands about five stories tall, covering an area of 500 square meters, and can accommodate up to 500 worshippers at once. Inside, it enshrines Vairocana Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva, with the youthful attendant Sudhana and Dragon Girl Bodhisattva standing by their sides. Surrounding them are 32 statues representing various manifestations of Guanyin. Aside from Puji Temple on Mount Putuo, this is the only other site in China where 32 incarnated forms of Guanyin are enshrined. The Pumen Hall houses a thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Guanyin statue, along with 88 exquisitely crafted statues of bodhisattvas based on the “Great Compassion Mantra,” each uniquely shaped and masterfully made. An outdoor Guanyin statue stands 5.5 meters tall and weighs over eight tons, exhibiting exceptional craftsmanship. Because of these distinctive features, devotees refer to Baoguo Pule Temple as “Mount Putuo Moved North.” The temple has six monks, all of whom entered monastic life as children.