Faxing Temple in Beijing

Location

Faxing Temple (法兴寺) is situated on the hillside of Xiejiashan (卸甲山) in Xitiangezhuang Town (西田各庄镇), Miyun County (密云县), Beijing (北京市). Founded during the Northern Song Dynasty (北宋), Faxing Temple covers an area of approximately 600 acres after its restoration in 2009. It is a Han Chinese Buddhist temple.

Main Architectural Structures

The main buildings of Faxing Temple include the Hall of Great Luoh (大罗宝殿), Three Ancestors Hall (三祖庙), Yuhuang Hall (玉皇庙), Niangniang Hall (娘娘庙), Zhenwu Hall (真武殿), Lingguan Hall (灵官殿), among others. The architectural layout from front to back features the Miyun County (密云县) Cultural Heritage Monument (文保碑), with the Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿) positioned centrally upon entering the first courtyard. The main hall (大雄宝殿) is located in the second courtyard, flanked by Guanyin Hall (观音殿) to the east and Dizang Hall (地藏殿) to the west. The western wing houses the Kalan Hall (伽蓝殿), while the eastern wing includes the Yaoshi Hall (药师殿).

Upon entering the temple and heading east, visitors will find the impressive Niangniang Hall, which consists of two courtyards; the first courtyard features three main halls, with three auxiliary halls on either side. The second courtyard contains a row of seven halls. Continuing up the mountain to the summit, you will find additional temples including the Three Ancestors Hall, Yuhuang Hall, Lingguan Hall, and Zhenwu Hall under construction.

Faxing Temple is rich in historical relics, including bixi (赑屃), stone tablets (石碑), dragon-claw locust trees (龙爪槐), and bodhi trees (菩提树). The temple primarily focuses on the Pure Land teachings, supported by the Prajna (般若) tradition, and has begun operating as a venue for combined meditation and Pure Land practices.

Historical Background

Faxing Temple was founded during the Northern Song Dynasty (北宋) by an elderly monk. Throughout the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties, the temple underwent numerous repairs, with the existing walls and main hall dating back to those periods. During the Cultural Revolution (文化大革命), Faxing Temple was destroyed, leaving only a few scattered small temples around the site. Presently, a stone tablet within the temple details its history and the names of those who funded its restoration during the Ming and Qing periods.

Restoration and Development

The Xitiangezhuang Town (西田各庄镇) government sought investment and signed a contract with Beijing Tianshengxiang Tourism Development Company (北京天生祥旅游开发公司) for the restoration of Faxing Temple. In 2009, restoration began, and phase one of the project was completed the same year. The restoration was based on architectural styles from the Northern Song Dynasty and historical materials from other temples, as the original architectural blueprints or photographs could not be located. The restored Faxing Temple spans approximately 600 acres and includes the Hall of Great Luoh, Three Ancestors Hall, Niangniang Hall, Yuhuang Hall, and a 300-meter long corridor between the halls. Subsequently, the temple received a registration certificate from the Miyun County (密云县) Ethnic Affairs Committee, officially restoring it as a religious site.

The Xitiangezhuang Town government plans to develop a tourist resort around the restored Faxing Temple, aiming to establish it as a renowned temple in suburban Beijing, fostering a tourism and vacation industry in the area.

In 2012, in response to the call from the National Religious Affairs Bureau (国家宗教局) and the Beijing Municipal Religious Affairs Bureau (北京市宗教局), the abbot of Faxing Temple, Shiqin Zheng (释亲证), led disciples in bringing daily necessities and comfort items to the social welfare center on Gulou Street (鼓楼街道) in Miyun County.

Architectural Layout

  1. Miyun County Cultural Heritage Monument (密云县文保碑)
  2. Temple Gate (寺门)
    • Upon entering the first courtyard, the Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿) is centrally located, with Amitabha Buddha (阿弥陀佛) enshrined in the main hall. Behind it is the Weituo Hall (韦驮殿), flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王).
  3. Back of the Mountain Gate Hall (山门殿后身)
    • In the second courtyard, the central three halls consist of the Hall of Great Hero (大雄宝殿), with Guanyin Hall to the east and Dizang Hall to the west. The western wing contains the Kalan Hall, while the eastern wing houses the Yaoshi Hall.
  4. Stone Tablets (石碑)
    • Three stone tablets are erected in front of the main hall, recording the history of Faxing Temple and the names of contributors during its restoration in the Ming and Qing periods.
  5. Hall of Great Hero (大雄宝殿)
    • The hall features three major Buddhas and eighteen arhats (罗汉) on the pedestals within the walls.
  6. Guanyin Hall and Dizang Hall
    • The eastern wing includes the Yaoshi Hall, while the western wing houses the Kalan Hall.
  7. Niangniang Hall
    • After entering the temple and walking east, a small path leads directly to the top of the small mountain, where a grand ancient cypress tree is surrounded by a stone railing. A stone tablet nearby bears a poem, marking the spot where Mu Guiying (穆桂英) rested after a battle, hence the name “Xiejiashan” (卸甲山). Continuing up the stone steps on the north side of Xiejiashan leads to the remarkable Niangniang Hall, which features two courtyards and three main halls in the first courtyard, with three auxiliary halls on either side, and a row of seven halls in the second courtyard. Higher up are additional temples such as the Three Ancestors Hall, Yuhuang Hall, Lingguan Hall, and Zhenwu Hall under construction.

Historical Relics

  1. Bixi (赑屃)
    • Two bixi are the only remnants from over 1300 years ago; it is said that during battles, while the entire temple was destroyed, this object remained intact. Legend has it that during the reconstruction of old Beijing, these bixi were used to drag the city to ensure its safety.
  2. Stone Tablets (石碑)
    • These record the history of the temple and the names of contributors during its restoration in the Ming and Qing periods.
  3. Dragon-Claw Locust Tree (龙爪槐)
    • This ancient tree has survived for over 1300 years. Another dragon-claw locust tree is located just 20 steps away, planted by a male practitioner in memory of his parents. Historically, many believers wrote their wishes on rice paper and buried them under this ancient tree, believing it to be very effective.
  4. Bodhi Tree (菩提树)
    • Located just 20 steps from the dragon-claw locust tree, this bodhi tree is over 1300 years old and is the only one north of the Yellow River (黄河). Given that bodhi trees typically thrive in southern tropical regions, its survival in the north for over a thousand years is quite remarkable.

Temple Mission

Under the guidance of government leaders and the support of virtuous individuals, Faxing Temple aims to establish correct beliefs, promote patriotism, love for the Party, and devotion to the faith, with a strong commitment to the Buddhist teachings and good deeds in the world. Consistent practice of the Dharma is essential for its enduring presence.

Main Teachings

The temple primarily focuses on the Pure Land teachings, supported by the Prajna tradition, and has begun operating as a venue for combined meditation and Pure Land practices.