Silk Road Tour

Author: Xu Deming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Xingjiao Temple is located on the Shaolingyuan slope in Chang'an County, 20 kilometers southeast of Xi'an City. It was one of the major Buddhist temples in the Fanchuan area during the Tang Dynasty and is the resting place of the renowned Buddhist monk Xuanzang. It is a nationally protected cultural relic site. In 664 AD, after the death of the famous monk Xuanzang, he was initially buried on the Bailuyuan. In the second year of Emperor Gaozong's reign (669 AD), he was reburied on the Fengqiyuan in Fanchuan, and a five-story spirit tower was constructed. The following year, a temple was built around the tower. Emperor Xizong inscribed the characters "Xingjiao" (meaning "Teaching and Educating"), and the temple was thus named Xingjiao Temple. The temple overlooks the plain from the hillside, facing south. It is hidden among lush pine and bamboo forests, with a beautiful environment and magnificent temple buildings, creating a spectacular sight. Passing through the main gate, there are twin bell and drum towers flanking the path, exuding solemnity. The main hall is the Grand Buddha Hall, where a gilded seated statue of Sakyamuni sits in the center, standing 3.2 meters tall. Behind the hall is the scripture hall. The upper level of the high platform houses the Hall of the Reclining Buddha. The reclining Buddha is 9 meters long and carved from camphor wood. From afar, the peaks of Zhongnanshan Mountain rise in layers, offering a picturesque view, making it a renowned destination for Buddhist followers to visit and pay homage to the relics of Xuanzang. The temple houses one Ming Dynasty bronze Buddha statue, one Burmese jade Buddha statue, and thousands of ancient Buddhist scriptures. Premier Zhou Enlai once accompanied Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to visit Xuanzang's tomb. The western courtyard is the pagoda courtyard, where three square brick pagodas stand. The central pagoda is the famous Xuanzang Relic Pagoda, renowned both in China and abroad. It has five layers and stands 6.3 feet tall. The northern side of the base is engraved with the stone inscription "Biography of the Tang Monk Sanzang (Xuanzang)," which records his life story. Inside the lower brick chamber is a colorful clay statue of Xuanzang. To the east is the Relic Pagoda of the monk Huizheng, a disciple of Xuanzang, and to the west is the Relic Pagoda of the monk Kuiji, also a disciple of Xuanzang. The northern side of the three pagodas faces a three-room pavilion, displaying stone statues of Xuanzang and his two disciples, as well as the "Xuanzang Journey Map" and "Biography of Xuanzang" scrolls. The eastern courtyard is the scripture repository. The scripture tower preserves various versions of ancient Buddhist scriptures, with the most prized being the Buddhist manuscripts brought back from India by Xuanzang. The eastern courtyard also features a cherry blossom garden, symbolizing the friendship between China and Japan.
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Specialties: Stone rubbing prints, colored clay sculptures, grass weavings, (a type of strong wine), De Muguang crystal cakes, camphor wood carved chopsticks, replicas of Qin Terracotta Warriors, replicas of Qin bronze chariots and horses, Tang Sancai replicas, Hu County farmers' paintings, paper-cutting, Lintong crystal persimmons, Lintong pomegranates, willow weavings, face-painting, woodblock New Year prints, shadow puppets, Qin chili, Qin opera face-paints, celadon, Sanyuan loofah sugar, Shanbei jujubes, Shaanxi chestnuts, Tang mural replicas, clay whistles, rattan weavings, Xifeng wine, Chinese kiwifruit.
On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Emperor Taizong ascended to Ci'en Temple to climb the pagodas. Courtiers presented chrysanthemum wine for longevity.
The emperor's palace in the capital celebrates the Double Ninth Festival, with the imperial carriage arriving at the fragrant garden.
Wearing auspicious flowers, they offer chrysanthemum wine to wish for longevity.
The pagodas seem to rise to meet the heavens, as if awaiting the Buddha's arrival.
The emperor's wise words shine like the sun and moon, forever inspiring admiration.
Song of Qianling (Excerpt)
By Liu Ji (Ming Dynasty)
The imperial city stands tall with twin gates,
Before it stands the Uninscribed Stele,
Upright and soaring to the clouds.
Who lies here buried?
A stone stands on the craggy mountain.
Bound by bronze and iron, it guards the deep springs,
Winding like a silver sea.
Have you not seen the golden coffin and jade casket emerge from the mortal world,
Their cold faces flying through the dust?
A hundred years of bones cannot be preserved,
Yet how can a woman stand firm?
Note: The original text contains some lines that are already in English or are poetic in nature, so they remain unchanged. The translation focuses on converting the Chinese parts into English while preserving the original structure and meaning.