Beijing Lingguang Temple: A Historic Buddhist Site with Sacred Relics

Lingguang Temple: A Historic Buddhist Shrine in Beijing

Lingguang Temple, located on the eastern side of Cuìwēi Mountain in the western hills of Shijingshan District, Beijing, is a Buddhist temple with over 1,200 years of history. It is the second temple among the “Eight Great Temples” of the Western Hills. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty (between 766 and 779 AD), it was initially named Longquan Temple. The temple underwent significant expansions during the Liao Dynasty, and in the Jin Dynasty, it was renamed Jue Mountain Temple. After being rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty Chenghua period (around 1480), it was finally renamed Lingguang Temple, a name that remains in use today.

Historical Evolution

Lingguang Temple was founded in the Tang Dynasty, during the Dàlì years (766-779 AD), and was first named Longquan Temple. In 1162, during the Jin Dynasty, the temple underwent renovations and was renamed Jue Mountain Temple. In 1071, during the Liao Dynasty, the mother of the prime minister Yelü Renxian, Zheng, commissioned the construction of the “Zhaoxian Tower” to house the sacred Buddha’s tooth relic. This tower was octagonal and made of sculpted bricks, towering in size. During the Ming Dynasty, the temple was significantly expanded, and it was at this point that the name Lingguang Temple was established.

In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, Lingguang Temple was destroyed by the forces of the Eight-Nation Alliance. After 23 years of reconstruction efforts, the temple was revived. The current temple layout follows the traditional north-south axis, with the southern section featuring the Great Compassion Hall and the Goldfish Pond Hall. The northern section houses the Abbot’s Courtyard, the Tower Courtyard, the Lay Buddhist Courtyard, and the Grand Hall of the Great Hero.

Sacred Relics and Spiritual Significance

Lingguang Temple is renowned for housing a sacred Buddha’s tooth relic, which has a fascinating history. The relic was brought to China by a high-ranking monk from the Southern Dynasties in the 5th century. It has passed through various dynasties and regions, making its way to Lingguang Temple. The Buddha’s tooth relic is one of only two such relics that are known to exist in the world today, adding to the temple’s significance as a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide.

In 1900, during the destruction of the temple by the Eight-Nation Alliance, the tooth relic was rediscovered when monks unearthed a stone box buried within the ruins. Inside the box was a sandalwood container with an inscription indicating that it contained the Buddha’s tooth relic. This discovery further cemented the temple’s reputation as a key Buddhist site.

The relic was eventually placed in a newly constructed pagoda, built between 1958 and 1964 with government support, and has since become a central focus of Buddhist devotion at the temple. The current pagoda stands 51 meters tall and features a complex design of 13 layers with delicate carvings and embellishments. It is one of the most beautiful and sacred sites in Beijing.

Architectural Layout and Key Attractions

Lingguang Temple is oriented southeast, with the main hall housing a golden copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, a gift from the King of Thailand. The temple complex originally consisted of five courtyards, but now only three remain: the Great Compassion Hall, the Goldfish Pond, and the Tower Courtyard. One of the most notable features of the temple is the Five Hundred Arhats Wall, which was completed in 2004. The wall, which spans 25 meters in length and 8.35 meters in height, features 500 lifelike figures of arhats, each carved in intricate detail. The depiction of these figures is highly expressive, with a range of facial expressions and postures that seem to come to life.

Another important feature of Lingguang Temple is the Heart Sutra Wall, constructed in 2001. This wall, located to the north of the Buddha Tooth Relic Pagoda, features the entire text of the Heart Sutra, one of Buddhism’s most essential scriptures, carved into the stone. The scripture, which is considered “the heart of the sutras” in Buddhist teachings, is etched onto the wall for the benefit of the many pilgrims and visitors who come to the temple to study and meditate.

Major Cultural Significance and Tourist Information

Lingguang Temple is not only a spiritual center but also a symbol of China’s Buddhist heritage. The Buddha’s tooth relic has been a focal point for worship and pilgrimage for centuries, and its significance has drawn Buddhists from across the world. The temple has also played an important role in fostering international Buddhist cooperation, with delegations from countries such as Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and others attending major ceremonies at the temple.

The Buddha’s Tooth Relic Pagoda is an iconic structure that stands out in the Beijing skyline. Made from white marble and decorated with intricate carvings and lotus patterns, the pagoda houses a seven-tiered golden tower within, which enshrines the sacred relic. The pagoda is a site of immense reverence, and only during special occasions is it open to the public for worship.

Visitor Information:

• Admission: 10 RMB (for entry to the Eight Great Temples Park)
• Transportation: Take bus routes 347, 389, 598, 958, or 972 and alight at the “Badao Temple” station.