White Horse Temple
Located in China’s Henan Province, outside of Louyang City, White Horse Temple is a Buddhist temple with a unique story. In the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), the emperor sent some of his men to India to study Buddhism. After studying for three years, two Indian Buddhist monks came back with the delegation and a collection of Buddhist Sutras and figures. The sutras were carried on the back of a white horse. The emperor built a monastery in thanks to the two monks and their white horse. The temple complex is filled with ancient trees, koi filled pools, ancient relics, and ancient architecture. The temple has architecture is over 1,900 years old and has been maintained beautifully. The Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of the Great Buddha, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guidance, and the Cool and Clear Terrace appear as they did when they were first built.
Hall of Heavenly Kings
The centerpiece of this hall is a statue of the Laughing Buddha. The shrine that surrounds it is decorated with 50 carved dragons. On either side of the Laughing Buddha are the four Celestial Kings, each holding a different weapon.
Hall of the Great Buddha
This hall has the most spectacular architecture in the whole of the White Horse Temple. The roof is covered with beautiful tiles and brackets. A statue of The Buddha stands in the center of the hall with two of his disciples on either side of him.
Hall of Guidance
The smallest hall in the temple complex, this hall has a beautiful sculpture of the Amitabha Buddha. On either side of the statue are two Bodhisattva statues.
Hall of Mahavira
The roof of this hall is carved with a lotus pattern and the walls have thousands of woods Buddhist statues. In the center of the hall is a two storey shrine incredibly decorated with birds and winding dragons. Inside sit The Buddha, Amitabha, and the Buddha of Medicine. Around them are the 18 Arhats.
The Cool and Clear Terrace
Built at the rear of the temple complex, the terrace is made of brick and was where the sutras brought back from India by the white horse were stored. The two Indian monks translated the sutras into Chinese here.
Qiyun Pagoda
Located outside the temple complex is the oldest pagoda in China. The Qiyun Pagoda was built in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).
