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Shanghai Longhua Temple
Located in the south of Shanghai, Longhua Temple is the oldest and largest temple in the city. It is said that Longhua Temple and Longhua Pagoda were built in 242AD, during the Three Kingdoms Period, while most of the buildings in the temple today were reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty. It isn’t clear when a temple was first built in the location, but it is thought that some buildings and the Longhua Padoga were built during the era of the Song Dynasty. The brick tubular shell of the pagoda is said to have been first built in 977. The wooden staircase and the 7 roofs are said to be of recent construction. Most of the current buildings are thought to have been built in the middle to late 19th century during the Qing Dynasty era. There was a major reconstruction effort in 1954. With the help of donations from wealthy Overseas Chinese, a lot of money has been spent for restoration and upkeep, so the whole complex is well refurbished and well decorated.
Longhua Temple occupies an area of more than 20,000 square meters with a construction area of 5,219 square meters. Along the 194 meters long (637 feet) axis are four adjoining halls: the Grand Hall, the Three Sages Hall, Hall of Maitreya and the Abbot Chamber. And the bell tower, the drum tower, arhats’ preaching hall, and Sutras Keeping Hall are on the sides.
Longhua Temple is also known for its Maitreya Buddha, especially the two significant Budda statues. One is statue of Maitreya Buddha’s Bodhisattva form, the other is statue of Maitreya Buddha’s incarnation known as the “Cloth bag monk”.
Longhua Pagoda is just sits in the front of the temple. It is a brick and wood structure, 40 meters tall with 7 octagonal storeys. There are eaves on every storey and bells hanging on the corners and corridors around the body. Longhua Pagoda is the largest of the 16 pagodas in Shanghai.
On the third day of every third lunar month is the temple fair, which has a history of more than 400 years, and continues to this day as one of the most well-known and best-loved folk customs.
Bell Tower & Drum Tower: These buildings are off the axis. In the Bell Tower, there is a bronze bell that weighs 3,000 kilograms or 3.3 tons. It was cast in 1894. On the evening of New Year’s Eve on December 31st, it is a tradition to strike the bell 108 times to ring in the year. People can pay about 50 RMB or 7.50 USD to strike it three times. Bell ringing on New Year’s Eve is a common tradition in Buddhist temples that have a bell in East Asia.
The Longhua Pagoda: The 40.4 meter-high Longhua Pagoda is made of brick, and the staircases are made of wood. It is red, has 7 stories, and it looks like a delicate Song-era pagoda. The brick tubular shell of the pagoda is said to have been first built in 977. The wooden staircase and the 7 roofs are said to be of recent construction.
The Longhua Temple is the largest temple in Shanghai.
Room with 500 Golden Statues: Just outside of the main entrance of the third hall called the Daxiong Baodian where there is a big golden sitting Budda statue, there is a side hall where you can see 500 little gold statues arranged in rows. They shine and glitter in the light. From the austere courtyard with the smoke of fires and burning incense, the golden and bright statues are a striking contrast.
Temple Fair: There is a temple fair on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. During this time, people can see the peach blossoms.
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