Overview:

South Putuo Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist Temples in Fujian Province and the most important Buddhist Temple for overseas Chinese people. Located on Nanputuo Mountain and founded in the Tang Dynasty, South Putuo Temple is widely known for its simple architectural style and peaceful atmosphere. It is one of the four sacred sites of Chinese Buddhism and attracts pilgrims from across the province to come and pay homage to the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. The temple is also a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. The temple features a number of things to see, including a Main Hall, a bell tower, pavilions and the garden. The forest-covered mountain also serves as a great place for hikers. Additionally, the temple grounds also provide a convenient place for vegeterians to purchase food. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. Grand Hall of Maitreya: This grand hall features a magnificent statue of Maitreya Buddha, the future incarnation of the Buddha. The statue is tall and intricately carved, with elaborate decorations of gold, red and green. 2. Guan Yu Shrine: This is a shrine dedicated to Guan Yu, a figure in Chinese mythology. Guan Yu was considered a god of loyalty and righteousness, and his shrine is a place to express devotion to him. 3. Buddhist Texts Hall: The Buddhist Texts Hall houses an extensive collection of Buddhist scriptures and commentaries. Buddhists visit to deepen their faith and learn about the sutras. 4. Banruo Pagoda: This large, red and white pagoda is a symbol of South Putuo Temple and a reminder of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition of selfless giving and wisdom. 5. Seven Treasures Pavilion: This pavilion houses seven sacred Buddhist relics, including a jade hairpin that belonged to a pre-historic Buddhist monk who gained great merit. 6. Wuliang Shrine: This shrine houses an enormous statue of Wuliang, a Buddhist deity who is believed to eliminate worries and bring peace. 7. Halls and Pavilions: South Putuo is dotted with halls and pavilions of various styles, each representing a different trait of Buddhism. Visitors can explore the spiritual architecture of each unique facility. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

South Putuo Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the Siming district of Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. The temple was founded in the 9th century during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) by a monk from India named Huili, who named it after Putuo Mountain (also known as Putuo Shan) in nearby Zhejiang Province. Since then it has been regarded as a pilgrimage site for both local and international Buddhist devotees. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), South Putuo Temple saw major expansion and renovation as emperors of the time favored the Buddhist faith. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the temple went through several periods of renovation and saw the largest structures including a five-story pagoda, three-story sutra hall, as well as a two-story Mahavira Hall. In the following Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), South Putuo Temple remained a place of pilgrimage and attracted a large number of travelers from as far as Japan and Southeast Asia. In the 19th century, monk Tiyu and nine other monks from the abbey renovated the temple, which led to the construction of the Sanbo Building, Qixiang Pavilion, and several other structures. In addition to its rich history, South Putuo Temple also contains many cultural relics and artworks. The temple’s most famous attraction is a golden statue of Guanyin (Bodhisattva of Great Compassion) housed in the main hall. Other attractions include the 12.8 meter bronze statue of the Bodhisattva and a 10.6 meter statue of the Guardian King Dharma protectors. Today, South Putuo Temple continues to thrive as a major center of religious pilgrimage and cultural exchange. The temple still offers various traditional services such as sutra transcriptions, ordination ceremonies, and rituals. As such, the temple remains one of the most important Buddhist sites in China. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. South Putuo Temple in Xiamen was founded during the Tang Dynasty in the year 822 AD. 2. The temple is located on Nanputuo Mountain and is the site of a pilgrimage for Buddhists. 3. The South Putuo Temple is renowned for its architectural beauty, with its many ancient bells, pagodas and pavilions, and is one of China's famous Four Grand Temples. 4. There are three major temples in this complex, which are dedicated to the three main bodhisattvas: Mahāsthāmaprāpta, Avalokiteśvara, and Kṣitigarbha. 5. The South Putuo Temple has two significant sculptures, which are of the Thousand Handed Guanyin and the Eight-Immortal Guanyin. 6. The temple houses over 10,000 Buddhist scripture and relics. 7. The South Putuo Temple is home to one of the biggest Conglin statues in the world. 8. The temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Xiamen and attracts many visitors from all over China. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era