Tongjiao Temple

　　Tongjiao Temple is located at No. 19, Zhenxian Hutong, Beixiaojie, Dongzhimen Inner, covering an area of more than 2,500 square meters. Originally built by eunuchs during the Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt as a nunnery in the Qing Dynasty and renamed “Tongjiao Chanlin.” In 1942, nuns Kaihui and Shengyu, who came from Fujian to Beijing, took charge of the temple, expanded it, and renamed it “Tongjiao Temple.” After the renovation, the temple features a three-bay mountain gate. At the western end of the temple complex is the Mahavira Hall. There are two floors of buildings on the north and south sides, totaling 40 rooms. Behind the north building are three rooms of Qingtai Liao, along with northern side rooms. The westernmost part is the Sangharama Hall. The middle five rooms serve as the dining hall, called the Five Contemplations Hall. The southern side hall has seven rooms, with the middle three serving as the Buddha-Chanting Hall, the western one as the Patriarchs Hall, and the eastern three as living quarters. In 1943, Shengyu established the Bhikkhuni Eight Precepts Academy, using Tongjiao Temple as a place to collect wealth by establishing a library. In early 1981, it was renovated again.