Huating Temple detail
China. Yunnan.
Kunming.
The complex of Huating Temple is more imposing than any other temple in the West Mountain. The structures are arranged in several levels with luxuriant bamboo groves growing around them, shading off the scorching sunshine.
In the first level is the Tianwang (Deva Kings) Hall, in which the obese statue of Maitreya sits in the middle with the four Deva kings and two great guardians flanking him. The Mahavira Hall stands at the second level of the temple. In this tall and spacious hall are housed the statues of the serene Trikala Buddha, or the Buddha of the Past, the Present and the Future. Inscriptions, poems, couplets and calligraphic works left by literary figures of various dynasties all remain discernible.
The Huating Buddhist Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple that was originally a retreat for the local ruler, and is one of the major tourist attractions in the Western Hills area. Sitting at the foot of Mount Huating, it is one of the best-preserved Buddhist temples in Kunming. The 900-year-old temple was originally designed as a county temple for Gao Zhishen, Kunming's governor during the Song dynasty (1063AD). It was rebuilt as a Buddhist temple in the fourteenth century and it continued to grow and later became the largest Buddhist complex in Kunming.
The main temple contains a trinity of gilded lacquer Buddhas seated on lotus thrones. It is characterized by blue hair, august gesture and sumptuous setting. Comparing with the serious Buddha, the 500 luohan on the sidewalls, similar to those in the Bamboo Temple, then appear frivolous and easygoing. Today, there still are some fine statues and excellent gardens.
more here www.yunnanadventure.com/attraction-p482-huating-temple-in...
Huating Temple detail
China. Yunnan.
Kunming.
The complex of Huating Temple is more imposing than any other temple in the West Mountain. The structures are arranged in several levels with luxuriant bamboo groves growing around them, shading off the scorching sunshine.
In the first level is the Tianwang (Deva Kings) Hall, in which the obese statue of Maitreya sits in the middle with the four Deva kings and two great guardians flanking him. The Mahavira Hall stands at the second level of the temple. In this tall and spacious hall are housed the statues of the serene Trikala Buddha, or the Buddha of the Past, the Present and the Future. Inscriptions, poems, couplets and calligraphic works left by literary figures of various dynasties all remain discernible.
The Huating Buddhist Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple that was originally a retreat for the local ruler, and is one of the major tourist attractions in the Western Hills area. Sitting at the foot of Mount Huating, it is one of the best-preserved Buddhist temples in Kunming. The 900-year-old temple was originally designed as a county temple for Gao Zhishen, Kunming's governor during the Song dynasty (1063AD). It was rebuilt as a Buddhist temple in the fourteenth century and it continued to grow and later became the largest Buddhist complex in Kunming.
The main temple contains a trinity of gilded lacquer Buddhas seated on lotus thrones. It is characterized by blue hair, august gesture and sumptuous setting. Comparing with the serious Buddha, the 500 luohan on the sidewalls, similar to those in the Bamboo Temple, then appear frivolous and easygoing. Today, there still are some fine statues and excellent gardens.
more here www.yunnanadventure.com/attraction-p482-huating-temple-in...