Famen Temple (Series of Shaanxi Nature and Culture Tour)

Author: Li Xinling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The Famen Temple is located in Famen Town, 10 kilometers north of Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province. It was first established in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and became famous for enshrining the finger relic of Sakyamuni Buddha. According to Buddhist scriptures, over 2,000 years ago, after the passing of Sakyamuni Buddha, Emperor Ashoka of India sent the relic to the southern continent of Jambudvipa. At every place where the relic was enshrined, a pagoda was built for worship. China had 19 such places, and Famen Temple was the fifth. The temple was originally established around the pagoda, known as the Aryan Palace, and was renamed "Chengshi Dacang" during the Sui Dynasty. In the early Tang Dynasty, it was further renamed Famen Temple. The temple was expanded during the Northern Wei Dynasty and the early Sui Dynasty. During the Xianqing period of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, the magnificent Rulin Palace with 24 courtyards was built, showcasing grand architecture and the beauty of eight rivers. The pagoda soared into the sky, standing in contrast to the peaks of Mount Taibai. The temple also reached a large scale during the Song Dynasty. The original pagoda was commonly known as the "Sacred Tomb." In the Zhenguan period of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, it was rebuilt into a four-story wooden pagoda, also known as the Guozhou True Body Pagoda. In the third year of the Longqing period of the Ming Dynasty (1569), the wooden pagoda collapsed. From the seventh year of the Wanli period (1579) to the thirty-seventh year, a thirteen-story octagonal brick pagoda was built, standing 47 meters tall with exquisite craftsmanship and great magnificence. In the eleventh year of the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (1654), the pagoda tilted and cracked due to an earthquake. In the twenty-eighth year of the Republic of China (1939), General Zhu Ziqiao donated funds to repair it. On August 24, 1981, the pagoda collapsed due to heavy rain.
In the second year of the Northern Wei Dynasty (494), Xiao Zhai Tuo Yu first opened the pagoda to worship. In the second year of the Renshou period of the Sui Dynasty (602), Right Interior Minister Li Min opened the pagoda for a second time. In the second year of the Wude period of the Tang Dynasty (619), Prince Li Shimin, leading his victorious army to Fufeng, granted 80 monks to the Famen Temple. In the fifth year of the Zhenguan period of Emperor Taizong (631), the emperor donated silver to repair the temple and ordered Qizhou Prefect Zhang Liang to open the pagoda for a third time to worship the relic. Starting from the fifth year of the Xianqing period of Emperor Gaozong (660), grand ceremonies were held to welcome the Buddhist relic to Luoyang. During the fourth year of the Chang'an period of Empress Wu (704), it was enshrined in the newly built Mingtang. Emperor Xuanzong enshrined it in the inner Buddhist hall. Emperor Dezong invited it into the palace. Emperor Xianzong demoted Han Yu, who had opposed the worship of the relic, to Chaozhou and personally welcomed the relic into the palace through Anfu Gate. In the fourteenth year of the Xiantong period of Emperor Yizong (873), the welcoming ceremony was extremely grand, with tens of thousands of banners and ceremonial instruments, and crowds of officials, nuns, and laywomen came to worship, accompanied by music and chanting that filled the air.
The emperors of the Tang Dynasty were devout Buddhists and showed great respect for the finger relic. Empresses and concubines often offered their hair and clothing as offerings. During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong, the emperor, empress, and princesses came to the temple to shave their hair and place it in the pagoda as offerings. Over 380 years, in the ten worship ceremonies, Famen Temple not only became a royal temple but also an auspicious Buddhist site revered by the entire nation.
Today, in the 21st century, the Chinese nation is advancing and developing at an unprecedented pace, accomplishing our great national rejuvenation. As a precious historical and cultural heritage, the underground palace of Famen Temple and its unearthed artifacts embody the grandeur and demeanor of the magnificent Tang Dynasty. These relics provide positive inspiration for us to achieve national rejuvenation, which is the purpose of writing this book.