Welcome to China Report's digital Introduction to FaYuan Si, The Temple of the Source of the Law in the Xuanwu District of Beijing. Located in one of the oldest Area's of the City, inside the Xuanwu District Hutong, the Source of the Law Temple is one of the oldest Temple's in the City. The Temple was founded during the 7Th Century years of the Tang Dynasty and was originally named the Temple in Memory of the Loyal.
- Source o/t Law Temple (1) Directions & Map -
This page was last updated: June 7, 2017
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Located outside the original City Walls of the Imperial City, south of Xuanwu Gate, it is someway to travel to the Temple....
FaYuan Si, by the way, is not only a Temple but an active China Buddhism College, as such, at regular times many monks flock around the temple Halls and Gardens.
The Temple was entirely rebuilt and remoddeled during the ZhengTong Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1436 AD - 1449 AD), not long after the Third Ming Emperor, Yongle, had made Beijing into the Capital of China, and the entire city was transformed along the lines of his wishes. Upon completion, the new Temple was given the name Temple of Exalted
Zhixin Lu in November 2002, the Beijing's City Governement Plan to modernise the city and it's housing was already well underway, first removing the many Hutong along Xuanwu District's main boulevard's.
The extremely spacious Guang'AnMen Dajie' in 2002 , the main boulevard running East-West through the Xuanwu District.
Since then modern constructions have mushroomed along this main artery.
A view along NanHeng XiJie, the Main Road leading deep into the Hutong and residential districts of the Xuanwu District.
In 2002 almost no highrises were on the skyline.
The Main Gate of the Source of the Law Temple, hidden away among green in a small hutong alley.
The Main Gate in its original state in 2002 AD, before renovations of the Monumental Temple and local "renovations" to the Hutong. As always, locals are on hand to provide visitors with the incense necessary for proper Prayers.
In the recent past the Temple Grounds were known for their idyllic Gardens, gaining it the nickname "Temple of Fragrant Snow", after the abundant leaves from its blossoming flowers.
In front of the Bell and Drum Towers inside its first and southern courtyard are a number of ancient Cypresses. The largest and oldest specimens were planted during the years of the ancient (Northern) Song Dynasty...
A Gingko Tree, several hundreds years old, at least, stands prouldy adjacent the Sutra Tower inside the Temple....
Elsewehere there are Pines dating back to the 8Th Century AD and the Tang Dynasty.
Find the ancient scriptures Library of still active Temple and College hidden away at the back of the considerable complex. It is located in a seperate backyard in the North section. Access to the Library can only be gained by passing through DaBei Hall, better designated as the Hall of Reclining Buddha for it's 7.4 meter long wooden statue. The reclining buddha, together with bronze sculptures of the 4 heavenly kings and some Tang Dynasty era clay statues make up the sacred treasure of the Temple.
FaYuan Temple 2002 ticket giving a vague schematic groundplan of the Temple grounds.
Another Hall, the Final One in the behind sections of the Source of Law Temple houses an unusual copper-cast Buddha seated on a 10.000 lotus-petal lotus flower throne.
AsiaReport.com generated Google Map Overview of the location of Source o/t Law Temple (Fayuan Si) in the remaining hutong of the Caishikou Area in the Xuanwu District of Beijing.
Very accurate and up to date Map of Beijing City Center , complete area of the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), Square of Heavenly Peace, Beihai (North Lake) Park, the South and Middle Lakes (Zhongnanhai) and area's of surrounding districts of Xicheng, Dongcheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu. Map detail includes names of alley's (Hutong) and even side alley's.
Map clearly marks the location of all Landmarks, Historic Monuments, hotspots and various sites of interest within the map area. Please browse the map and follow the links to additional information, maps and photo's of each location and site.