Lingguang Temple of Badachu Park in Beijing
Overview
Lingguang Temple灵光寺, located in the eastern foothills of Cuiwei Mountain (翠微山) in Shijingshan District (石景山区), Beijing, is a Buddhist temple with over 1,200 years of history. It is the second temple of the Eight Great Places (八大处), initially built during the Tang Dynasty (唐代) between 766 and 779 AD, originally named Longquan Temple (龙泉寺). The temple was expanded during the Liao Dynasty (辽代) and renamed Jue Mountain Temple (觉山寺) in the Jin Dynasty (金代). In the 15th year of the Chenghua Era (成化) of the Ming Dynasty (明代), it was rebuilt and renamed Lingguang Temple, a name it has retained to this day.
Geographic Location
Lingguang Temple is renowned for housing the sacred relic of the tooth of Shakyamuni Buddha, making it a pilgrimage center for Buddhists from both China and abroad. In 1983, it was designated a national key temple for Buddhism in Han Chinese regions by the State Council of China and is currently managed by monks sent by the Chinese Buddhist Association.
Historical Development
Lingguang Temple was established in the Tang Dynasty and was initially named Longquan Temple. It underwent reconstruction in 1162, during the reign of Jin Shizong, and was renamed Jue Mountain Temple. In 1071, during the Liao Dynasty, a notable figure, the mother of Prime Minister Yelü Renxian, built the Zhaoxian Pagoda (招仙塔) to house the tooth relic. This octagonal pagoda was constructed with intricately carved bricks and was substantial in scale. According to historical records, the pagoda featured ten stories and a well nearby.
In 1900, Lingguang Temple was destroyed during the Boxer Rebellion. A significant reconstruction effort lasting 23 years led to its revival. The temple now features a layout oriented north-south, with the Great Compassion Hall (大悲院) and the Goldfish Pool (金鱼池) located in the south, while the northern area contains the Abbot’s Hall (方丈院), Pagoda Courtyard (塔院), Lay Buddhist Courtyard (居士院), and the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿).
During the reconstruction, a stone box containing the tooth relic was discovered among the rubble, revealing its historical significance. This finding significantly enhanced the temple’s reputation, attracting numerous Buddhist followers.
Architectural Layout
The temple’s Mountain Gate Hall (山门殿) faces southeast and houses a gilded bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, a gift from the Thai monk king. Originally, the temple had five courtyards, but today, only three remain: the Great Compassion Hall, Goldfish Pool, and Pagoda Courtyard. Within the Great Compassion Hall, there is a Guanyin Hall to the south and a worship hall to the north.
An important relic is the Goldfish Pool, established in 1751 and expanded during the Xianfeng Era (咸丰). The ruins of the Zhaoxian Pagoda, known for housing the tooth relic, can also be found nearby.
The Northern Corridor leads to the former Woyu Xuan and the Lay Buddhist Courtyard, with a 1958-built tooth relic pagoda now situated in the Abbot’s Hall, housing the sacred tooth relic.
Major Attractions
Relic Pagoda
According to Zhao Puchu, the late president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, the tooth relic housed in Lingguang Temple is one of only two relics remaining from the Buddha after his parinirvana, making it extremely valuable. The tooth relic was brought to Beijing’s Guangji Temple in 1955 and has been taken to Yunnan and Sri Lanka for worship.
In 1957, with the support of Zhou Enlai, a new pagoda was constructed at Lingguang Temple to serve as a permanent repository for the tooth relic. The new pagoda, completed between 1958 and 1964, stands majestically at 51 meters tall and features a thirteen-tiered octagonal design.
Heart Sutra Wall
The Heart Sutra Wall, located north of the tooth relic pagoda, was completed in 2001. The Heart Sutra is considered a core Buddhist text, and its inscription on the wall is intended for study and contemplation. The wall measures 30 meters wide and 7 meters high, made from granite and covered with green glazed tiles, featuring large characters written by the renowned calligrapher Zhao Puchu.
Arhat Wall
The Arhat Wall, which depicts 500 arhats, was completed in early 2004. The wall, made of granite, stands 25 meters wide and 8.35 meters high, featuring lively and imaginative depictions of the arhats.
Relic Legend
In the 5th century, a monk named Faxian brought the tooth relic back to Jiankang (建康, present-day Nanjing) after traveling to India. It was later transferred to Chang’an during the Sui Dynasty and eventually found its way to Beijing during the Five Dynasties period.
During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, Lingguang Temple and the Zhaoxian Pagoda were destroyed. However, the relic was later recovered by monks during the cleanup efforts. For over 50 years, the tooth relic remained hidden until it was enshrined at Guangji Temple after 1949, allowing Buddhist followers to venerate it.
In 1964, a grand ceremony was held in Beijing to celebrate the relocation of the tooth relic to the newly constructed pagoda. Delegates from various Asian Buddhist communities participated in this momentous occasion.
The construction of the new tooth relic pagoda harmoniously blends modern techniques with traditional Chinese pagoda aesthetics, resulting in a beautifully intricate and majestic structure.
Travel Information
Ticket Price: 10 yuan per person (for entry to the Eight Great Places)
Transportation: Take bus lines 347, 389, 598, 958, or 972 and get off at the Eight Great Places Station.
